Well, I know if I shifted the gear lever over to the left something is supposed to happen - or is it?

 

If, when I was towing, I wanted to go into second gear manually, to get up a hill, how would I do it?  I read something about 'paddles' - do I need these, where do I buy them and how do they fix on?

 

Perhaps I should just go into sports mode and forget about the manual capability?

 

 

Just push the gear lever over to the left, and it will keep in the gear you're in unless the revs get too high or low, where it would change up or down automatically again.

 

Move the lever up for up a gear, down for down a gear.

 

Simples

 

You don't need paddles for manual mode. It was only on the sporty models like the vRS and GTI that get them.

 

This video is for left hand drive, so the stick is the other way round but is a good demo.

 

Quote "  I read something about 'paddles' - do I need these"

 

Definitely, without a paddle upstream your in trouble. 

 

"should just go into sports mode "................steady, thats for Men only.

Is this a wind-up?.

Just push the gear lever over to the left, and it will keep in the gear you're in unless the revs get too high or low, where it would change up or down automatically again.

 

Move the lever up for up a gear, down for down a gear.

 

Simples

 

You don't need paddles for manual mode. It was only on the sporty models like the vRS and GTI that get them.

 

This video is for left hand drive, so the stick is the other way round but is a good demo.

 

When I had my Passat DSG I preferred using the lever, having driven mainly manuals it was more natural.

 

Twoladies - try the manual mode it's very good for towing. Only problem I had a couple of times was when pulling away I forgot I was in manual and the engine revved highly! As said though, for safety it will change automatically even in manual mode if the revs get too high.

 

Had paddles in my A6 Multitronic - didn't like them as too small and being on the steering wheel moved round. Not like the proper paddles on Ferraris etc!

 

What's spoiling DSG now (which otherwise is the best of both worlds - I loved it) is that as they get more and more ratios it makes it more difficult to use in manual i.e. you have to change gear too often. 6 gears is fine but now they are 7 plus not so much so.

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by VAGCF

Perhaps RTFM is relevant here.

Perhaps, but it only tells you so much and doesn't give you users experiences, tips etc.

Paddles are on the Honda Jazz ....... that says it all.

The others above have explained the 'Tiptronic' system, which is covered fairly well in my copy of the Manual (I don't know about yours, of course).  Remember that the stick is acting as a 'soft' switch rather than as a mechanical lever; nudge it forward or back to shift but the stick returns automatically to the central position ready for the next nudge. 

 

I'd only add that, in my experience, leaving the DSG box to itself makes towing a far less stressful occupation.  There's more than enough to do when there's a caravan or trailer on the hook.  Being able to leave all the stick-twiddling to the DSG is a massive bonus, especially in traffic.  OK, I would slip into 'manual' for maneouvering on site or, for safety, easing the big 'van down a steep hill.  But in ordinary circumstances D is competent, with S available for when you really need to push - e.g. for acceleration on the sliproad on to a busy motorway. 

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by Brijo

Paddles are on the Honda Jazz ....... that says it all.

..... and also in F1 cars !

and your point is ?

where would you put the rowlocks...

Well, I know if I shifted the gear lever over to the left something is supposed to happen - or is it?

 

If, when I was towing, I wanted to go into second gear manually, to get up a hill, how would I do it?  I read something about 'paddles' - do I need these, where do I buy them and how do they fix on?

 

Perhaps I should just go into sports mode and forget about the manual capability?

Having towed a caravan with a manual and a DSG Yeti I say let the DSG do all the work. I've never been in a situation that has needed any manual intervention and the DSG has the ability to work a lot quicker than I can.

I also only use the  "S" mode when merging into motorways or fast dual carriageways.

 

Although RTFM is often advised it can also itself be a problem if read too often.

 

Fred

I won't even deign to ask what RTFM stands for.    Unfortunately, I found the book a tad difficult to understand. :clap:   Not sure I would feel confident doing all this without a proper clutch though!! 

 

I think I get it now.  Bit strange having driven a manual for years.  e.g. So as soon as it goes down into second, I shift to the left and it will stay in second.

 

Problem is the geegee is stabled at Hill Farm.  That explains all I think.  Go down a very steep hill into the valley and up another very steep hill to get to the Farm.  On my Primera, I used to go into sports mode for hills.

 

The others above have explained the 'Tiptronic' system, which is covered fairly well in my copy of the Manual (I don't know about yours, of course).  Remember that the stick is acting as a 'soft' switch rather than as a mechanical lever; nudge it forward or back to shift but the stick returns automatically to the central position ready for the next nudge. 

 

Aha.....got it now.  It returns......!!!  Strange.   But will have a little experiment - without the trailer hitched!!  Actually, more usefull for going downhill with a weight behind, than uphill I suppose. 

 

Is this a wind-up?.

No, this is a modern car - don't have to wind it up :D

where would you put the rowlocks...

You don't have rowlocks with paddles! 

 

 

The difference between oars and paddles are that paddles are held by the paddler, and are not connected with the vessel. Oars generally are connected to the vessel by means of rowlocks

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oar

 

So really these flappy things on the steering wheel should be called 'Oars' 

 

Jim

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by muddyjim

Practicing driving the automated manual manually without the horsebox being towed might be a good idea!

I just use the paddles, but I did fit a vRs steering wheel. This is my third DSG car, not having paddles wasn't an option for me, hence the change.

I won't even deign to ask what RTFM stands for.    Unfortunately, I found the book a tad difficult to understand. :clap:   Not sure I would feel confident doing all this without a proper clutch though!! 

 

I think I get it now.  Bit strange having driven a manual for years.  e.g. So as soon as it goes down into second, I shift to the left and it will stay in second.

 

Problem is the geegee is stabled at Hill Farm.  That explains all I think.  Go down a very steep hill into the valley and up another very steep hill to get to the Farm.  On my Primera, I used to go into sports mode for hills.

 

Aha.....got it now.  It returns......!!!  Strange.   But will have a little experiment - without the trailer hitched!!  Actually, more usefull for going downhill with a weight behind, than uphill I suppose. 

 

No, this is a modern car - don't have to wind it up :D

After a play you'll get over the 'toy'.......at least after you've forgotten a few times to keep changing up after negotiating yet another roundabout whilst chatting on the phone or changing the music selection or adjusting the sunroof blind or.............

The manual override is all you need ......and rarely at that........then there's the sports mode........

Don't talk on the 'phone while driving.......find the dvd player a nuisance, so just listen to LBC......and don't have a sunroof!!!

 

This car is certainly a bit of a toy though!!  And its very smart - white with black roof Monte.  Hope its up to the job pulling my precious ponio!!

..... and also in F1 cars !

and your point is ?

Exactly

F1 cars

If it's a diesel what is the point?.

If it's a petrol, what's the point in a sequential gearbox with override facility that you might occasionally use.

Even the petrol head journalists admit there isn't much point other than marketing.

I've never towed with an automatic and I never will now but I just wondered doesn't the DSG look after itself perfectly well when towing? Mine is very capable under every circumstance in fact for normal motoring it always seems to make appropriate 'decisions'. I can't see why towing would change that - or does it?

Exactly

F1 cars

If it's a diesel what is the point?.

If it's a petrol, what's the point in a sequential gearbox with override facility that you might occasionally use.

Even the petrol head journalists admit there isn't much point other than marketing.

My response was more directed at your disparaging reference to the Honda Jazz !

What possible relevance does this have to further the OP's query ?

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by graham47

I've never towed with an automatic and I never will now but I just wondered doesn't the DSG look after itself perfectly well when towing? Mine is very capable under every circumstance in fact for normal motoring it always seems to make appropriate 'decisions'. I can't see why towing would change that - or does it?

Pre-selecting prior to a serious descent, particularly towing (obviously), but if it's a diesel the 'power band' is too narrow ......staying in the best torque band of 1750 - 3500 is what you want .

F1 cars need to stay in their power band of 17 - 18,000 rpm to compete effectively.

My response was more directed at your disparaging reference to the Honda Jazz !

What possible relevance does this have to further the OP's query ?

I wasn't disparaging the Jazz.....we had one and quickly 'got over' the toy, not long after realising I'd forgotten to change from 3rd a couple of times......it wasn't a good gearbox in any case because it would change down just as you were cresting a hill and the back up again ......not a patch on the 'manumatic' sequential boxes of today with override facility.

Pre-selecting prior to a serious descent, particularly towing (obviously), but if it's a diesel the 'power band' is too narrow

I've noticed with mine that it's sensitive on over-run and when it senses it's being pushed it will drop one or two gears. Likewise pulling uphill if I've got any serious amount of pressure on the accelerator it will drop a gear very quickly (probably sooner than I would) so perhaps I'm better at staying within the 'power band' than DSG is

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by longedge

I've never towed with an automatic and I never will now but I just wondered doesn't the DSG look after itself perfectly well when towing? Mine is very capable under every circumstance in fact for normal motoring it always seems to make appropriate 'decisions'. I can't see why towing would change that - or does it?

 

'Scuse me - did you see my #9 above ?