2011 Octavia Elegance TSI S-A with DSG gearbox. Driving a manual car it's advisable to engage 2nd or 3rd gear to move off when in icy or snowy conditions. How do I engage such a gear when stationery. No guidance is given in the manual on this topic. I also know that it is possible to engage a higher gear in other makes of automatics. Am I missing something here? P.S. Best car I've ever had.

Welcome.

 

It is an Automated Manual, but calling it an automatic is fine.   (i think the S-A means Semi Automatic,  or some such....)

 

Just select 'D' and easy on the accelerator.   (you have manual changes if you want, use it.)

Even put TC off if needed as described in the owners manual. When needs must.

Good tyres for winter conditions are an important factor.

Edited 28 February, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

AwaoffSki Sir, I acknowledge your guidance and will carry out your instructions to the best of my ability. I was hoping for some arrangement whereby any gear could be selected when in manual mode, but not to be. Thank you for your attention and best regards.

Sweetcorn024

 It much experience with the DSG gearbox and snow before I sold it. I don’t think it will allow to try and set off from stationary in anything but first. However you can remove your foot from the accelerator and let it creep forward to start you moving then use the flappy paddles if fitted to knock it up a gear. If your in too higher a gear the gearbox may try to change down again, which you’ll Just have to override. If you don’t have the paddles stick it into sport mode and manually change gears

Pulling the shifter back to 'S' is good for decelerating without braking on snow and ice.

To shift manually stating in 1st and up down the gears that is nor Sport mode just Manual Mode.

Your probably right, I couldn’t remember how the manual mode worked without the paddles. 

I find sticking it in manual first gear works for me coming out of my Close around an island and up a very small but never gritted road. Drive tends to change to second and the wheels spin as turning too fast.