Hi

 

I have only ever driven an automatic once and that was an 'R' reg people carrier which had a column shift gear box.  Looking in the manual for the new superb it does not seem to list a 1st or 2nd Gear option on the auto stick, just Park, Drive, Neutral and Reverse.  With the people carrier I was able to force the car down to 2nd and 1st when needed during the winter to slow to a crawl on ice covered roads, I live in the Lincolnshire countryside and my 1st mile from home is single track, curved and has ups and downs before getting to the main road.  To add to the fun in the winter it does not get much sun to thaw and has ditches at each side....  Now driving in a manual and with the previous automatic was easy as you could take your time and barely touch your brakes and then only at really slow speed as you can drive using the gear box.

 

On Page 139 of the Manual if mentions Manual Gear Shifting (Tiptronic) this is where you move the gear selector sideways and it then acts as a manual gearbox (obviously with a forward and backwards motion), will this allow that kind of winter driving.

 

Also do I need to buy the Paddles for this feature? 

 

Thanks

 

Paul

 

ps (Yes I do have Winter Tyres, and will be buying some for the new car - probably Michelin Alpins.)

Edited 22 September, 201510 yr by amateurphotographer

There should also be S mode, which will hold each gear longer.

 

But yes you can simply push the gear selector to the left when in D, and use it as an automated manual.

 

The car will then only change up or down when at the red-line, or when it's about to stall.

I too live in the Lincolnshire countryside (Friskney).

I wouldn't worry about it. I've been driving automatics for donkeys years without a problem. Just drive to the conditions and you'll be fine.

You do not need the paddles in order to drive in `manual mode`. I've had them on cars in the past but find I rarely use them.

I'm sure you'll get used to the auto box very quickly and probably never go back to manual again...very few people do.

I too live in the Lincolnshire countryside (Friskney).

I wouldn't worry about it. I've been driving automatics for donkeys years without a problem. Just drive to the conditions and you'll be fine.

You do not need the paddles in order to drive in `manual mode`. I've had them on cars in the past but find I rarely use them.

I'm sure you'll get used to the auto box very quickly and probably never go back to manual again...very few people do.

 

Bit off topic .... I remember watching Buccaneers bombing at Friskney when I was a kid :-)

Nick_H raised this topic which has useful info too http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/369316-so-how-do-i-drive-a-dsg-then/

Bit off topic .... I remember watching Buccaneers bombing at Friskney when I was a kid :-)

Still a bit off topic...yeah I worked on the range for the 6 years before it closed in 2009.

Still a bit off topic...yeah I worked on the range for the 6 years before it closed in 2009.

 

Fantastic ! Bet you have some stories ! I remember the golden years ..... Buccs, Canberas, Lightnings, Harriers, F111's, A10's. Great times.... Donna too...

Getting back on topic.....but I like aircraft too and am a reservist......is there a decent training guide in the similar vein as for the EA288 engine, but for the gearbox? I've found a 2004 VW guide on line but am looking for something more up to date.

I've driven autos for years, and have a ZF 8-speed in my current car, but DSG is a new one for me so as an 'injuneer' I'm curious about how it all works etc. I know the basics, as in two clutches with three ratios in each but want to know more.

Interesting watch here on DSG

https://youtu.be/mj1Vk7SE-TI

Not watched myself but seems on topic

Just watched it and it's very good - thanks for posting.

Dave

Probably a very stupid question...but can you 'coast' with the DSG box?

Probably a very stupid question...but can you 'coast' with the DSG box?

 

If you mean in neutral then yes you can. You can just move the selector to N. When you want to engage gear again just move it to D without needing to press the button or the brake.

 

The new DSGs (MK3 Octavia) even have a coasting program built in so when you let off the gas it goes into neutral rather than staying in gear.

Great stuff Phil-E!

 

I think you may have just sold me a DSG (obsessed with mpg  ).

Hehe. Just realised that the MK3 superb probably also has this auto coasting feature but not sure.

 

I sometimes coast in mine. Slip it into N down long down hill motorway sections. I've had some really good economy doing this.

 

Phil

I don't understand why coasting aids fuel economy on modern cars.

 

On manual cars, when you're in gear and lift off the accelerator, the ECU cuts fuelling, as the engine is being turned by the wheels/gearbox. But if you put the clutch down and/or put it in neutral, the engine then requires fuel to stay running. Therefore you use more fuel when "coasting".

 

Am I missing something ?

Yes it uses some fuel to keep the engine ticking over but you then travel further so the overall consumption is lower.

My series II Greenline certainly did not use more fuel when coasting. I very often sat and watched the mpg figure ticking up at a fair old lick on some very nice long stretches around here.

 

It was also a tad embarrassing with the low rolling resistance tyres to have to overtake traffic (as the car accelerates) to avoid wasting energy.

 

Leaving it in gear produces engine braking which I didn't find productive and certainly costs more energy than having the engine ticking over.

When in gear and off the throttle engine braking kicks in and slows you down on the DSG when coasting it allows the engine to go to tick over and disengages the clutch reducing engine drag/braking.

When in gear and off the throttle engine braking kicks in and slows you down on the DSG when coasting it allows the engine to go to tick over and disengages the clutch reducing engine drag/braking.

Not if have the driveing mode selections. Put it in Eco and will go in neutral when you let go of the gaspedal. Perfect long downhills.

Thanks Gromle - even better!