In anticipation of snowy conditions (although we haven't had any here yet) I'd like to know how to select 2nd gear to start off.

At standstill, "D" selected,if I click the right hand paddle to select gear 2 nothing happens,it just remains in 1.

As most will know, conventional autos often have a "winter " setting which selects 2nd gear to set off.

I don't know of any trick by which you can actually start off directly in 2nd gear. It's true that the Manual mode doesn't allow such an early gear change if you're below 1800 rpm so your best bet would still be "D" I guess. Don't forget TCS will kill throttle If excessive wheel-spin is detected and that will help in most cases.

There has been lots of snow and ice around here during the past 2 weeks but I haven't had a problem in D. Just don't park with the front of the car facing an uphill, if your way out is towards the uphill as well. There was but one case where I couldn't start, and that was when I had parked like I just described: car looking to an uphill. However, I think in that case, turning TCS off might have actually helped. Didn't think of it at that moment though so I don't know for sure. All other times it's been fine.

Edited 14 December, 201213 yr by newbie69

I tend to find if you just lift your foot off the brake the car moves off on its own without any real need for throttle and once its moving you can select 2nd etc.

I tend to find if you just lift your foot off the brake the car moves off on its own without any real need for throttle and once its moving you can select 2nd etc.

exactly what i do and it works perfect

Me as well, but when the snow has accumulated behind or in front of where you've parked, then it needs an extra push to go over it otherwise the clutch disengages after a few seconds of trying.

Edited 14 December, 201213 yr by newbie69

if in doubt, flat out.

Me as well, but when the snow has accumulated behind or in front of where you've parked, then it needs an extra push to go over it otherwise the clutch disengages after a few seconds of trying.

When snow does start falling (none for me in the north west, except on higher hills) I always carry a shovel. Better to spend 5 mins removing snow from around the wheels then gunning the engine line a nob.

Shovel is always the best option for that, or a waterproof glove and yer paws!

In anticipation of snowy conditions (although we haven't had any here yet) I'd like to know how to select 2nd gear to start off.

At standstill, "D" selected,if I click the right hand paddle to select gear 2 nothing happens,it just remains in 1.

As most will know, conventional autos often have a "winter " setting which selects 2nd gear to set off.

It's not possible to start off from standstill in 2nd with the vRS. As others have said just lift foot from brake and let car creep forward then into 2nd

There is a picture kicking about somewhere of a dsg/auto boxed fabia with the snow button or it might have been a golf it was positioned next to the lock/unlock botton

The car drives perfectly well put into 'D' in ice or snow. It moves off with a light throttle.

(Suitable tyres are a good assistance to that, & tyre pressures checked & set in the cold)

http://www.michelin....ld-weather-tips

You then have the choice of manual single shifts down the box once its gone up the box.

or as i use when not using the brakes 'S' to decelerate easily.

The car is actually pretty good in the winter,

just no clearence if any depth of snow.

Nice and mild here now after 2 weeks of ice.

(only had the vRS out on the icy roads this winter a few times,

that was away from busy times due to the nutters with new cars and no experience of their tyres/car in winter yet, lots of minor collisions around my way already.. mostly types like BMW's, Evoques, Sportages etc that think the have 4x4 even when on the wrong tyres with no traction.)

george

It's not possible to start off from standstill in 2nd with the vRS. As others have said just lift foot from brake and let car creep forward then into 2nd

Hmm ...OK...slight oversight by the gearbox engineers?I take the point that it moves away in 1st,the question is would 2nd be better?

We shall never know.A friend suggested you might be able to engage 2nd to start with the traction control disengaged,but not so.

On second thoughts, VAG perhaps considered that some might try to start all the time in second,which,without a torque converter,wouid be bad for the 'box,so didn't go down that route.

It is better on some/many boxes that need to start in 2nd or have Snow Buttons that change the Revs & change points.

The 7 speed DSG on the vRS happens to work well as things are.

That little lag that some complain about (that used to include me) on start off is actually what makes the car pretty good on starting off on Icy & poor traction surfaces.

george

In Stockholm we have about 20-40cm snow, never an issue with the dsg. The snow/ice driving was even better than I expected.

No need for jumping onto 2nd gear, 1st gear and foot off accelerator does the trick if getting stuck.