As per the title really, which driving mode do you tend to use?

 

I have Normal, Sport, Eco and Custom in my vRS DSG TDI. Most of the time it’s in Normal for my long motorway commutes.
 

I occasionally use Sport by knocking the selector to S as opposed to using the vRS button on the centre console (not sure if this results in the same settings or not).

 

When in Normal I don’t like how the car tackles roundabouts or how it pulls away when entering a national speed limit zone. Feels too hesitant while the DSG decides what gear to use. Fine in Sport but when I’m up to speed the revs are held too high so I end up switching back to Normal again.

 

I’ve recently tried using the paddle shifts in manual when on the B roads, just to eliminate the feelings above and to have a bit more involvement in the drive. Quite enjoyed it to be honest, may have to invest in some billet paddle shifters!

 

I’m yet to play around with the Custom option and have never used the Eco mode so I’m curious to hear peoples opinions on those.

2 minutes ago, CookieMonster87 said:

I occasionally use Sport by knocking the selector to S as opposed to using the vRS button on the centre console (not sure if this results in the same settings or not).

 

It doesn't - it literally just affects the gearbox - anything else that would be set into Sport is unaffected (so depending on what a car is fitted with things like Soundaktor, DCC, behaviour of lights, behaviour of VAQ diff)

 

I tend to leave mine in individual with a few things at normal and a few things at sport.

 

I never use eco mode as the way the gearbox re-engages after dropping into neutral coast is jarring - it doesn't rev match brilliantly and the feeling of 'clutch drag' is irritating. On the few ocassions i did try it, I didn't notice any significant improvement in efficiency vs driving in normal - the car will coast along very well in 7th anyway without dropping much speed.

3 minutes ago, Kenai said:

 

It doesn't - it literally just affects the gearbox - anything else that would be set into Sport is unaffected (so depending on what a car is fitted with things like Soundaktor, DCC, behaviour of lights, behaviour of VAQ diff)

Thanks for clearing that up!

Sport. I then use my right foot to emulate the other two modes. 

Eco but then mine is a basic SE 1.5 Manual.

Individual, like this

 

Sport.  I can't really see the point of the other two modes on a manual tbh.

I just stick with normal and occasionally put the box into sport if I need to overtake or put it into manual mode.  I very rarely put it into sport as the revs hang on to high for my liking.

Always sport mode but i have turned off silly noise thing through vcds

Eco has little efficiency improvement to Normal mode, but is more hesitant to re-engage gears when coming off coasting.

Also, interestingly, when coasting in Normal drive mode, fuel consumption is zero at the cost of a slight drag from being in gear. Most of the time, in city/suburban driving, this is not a loss since coasting doesn't happen for long before we have to brake anyway. Fuel efficiency in Eco mode only really makes a significant difference if there are long downhill distances that don't involve any braking.

 

I wish Sport mode did gear up at 2,500-3,000rpm rather than 4,000rpm when not pushing the car; it's as if the car assumes the driver is only ever going to flog the car in Sport mode.

In my old Scout I only really used Sport (and occasionally off Road mode).  I found the other modes poor especially on roundabouts / junctions where I found I kept stalling it.  I don't see the point of the Eco mode - My A6 can return pretty much the same MPG in Eco and Dynamic mode

I use individual on my 2.0 TDI. Steering set to sport with engine to normal. No DCC so a pull on the stick is essentially the same as putting it in full sport. I often use the paddles to drop a gear for fun or road conditions. 

A pedal box helps loads with the hesitant normal mode.

1 hour ago, MarkyG82 said:

 

A pedal box helps loads with the hesitant normal mode.

There's the answer, the hesitation in accelerating & rev matching coming out of coasting all cured, you need to play with the settings to find the ONE for you but, they are like Night & Day

Always Individual.

Just my thoughts...
 

I have a FL VRS tdi DSG 4x4 and use individual.

 

Drive is in sport (but pull back on lever to put gearbox in D not S) gives me the throttle response of sport but not the ridiculous over revving of gears. 
 

Everything else is set to normal/eco for air con.

I’ve found it more economical than eco as when pulling off, eco had so much lag that you ended up pressing the throttle harder, causing the kickdown to engage and high revs follow. Now just light throttle pressure and I’m off.

 

I do tend to use Eco on long motorway trips as it’s more gentle at resuming cruise control should you need to whereas sport mode gets you back up to speed rapidly but at the expense of economy.

Depends on if I have the Grand-kids in the car and what sort of journey, usually in sport with the gearbox in Manual and using the paddles to change gear, if on the relaxing Motorway cruise or with the Grand-kids in normal mode.

 

Still drive the DSG in manual mode most of the time as I prefer to shift cogs when I want to. I find drive changes up too early and sport too late - LOL

Mostly comfort mode, dsg sometimes knocked back into S if I have any need to hustle a bit. Sound aktor thing turned off completely as it made a buzzing noise in the dash. 

19 minutes ago, ExSEAT said:

Mostly comfort mode, dsg sometimes knocked back into S if I have any need to hustle a bit. Sound aktor thing turned off completely as it made a buzzing noise in the dash. 

First thing I did on mine was turn that thing off using VCDS 🤢

@Gti Jazz Blue it was turn it off or let the dealer remove the whole dashboard. Told them not to bother and turned it off myself. My last VRS had the same problem but at much higher revs, in my current VRS it was around 3k revs so would constantly buzz. 

Do the box settings when you knock the drive selector to “S” differ to the box settings when selecting Sport mode through the vRS button?

Also drive in comfort...

1 hour ago, CookieMonster87 said:

Do the box settings when you knock the drive selector to “S” differ to the box settings when selecting Sport mode through the vRS button?

They are the same.

Individual for me, with everything in sport except for engine sound.

I only change it if I'm trying to conserve fuel, then it goes to Eco. The less responsive throttle makes it easier to avoid spikes.

(VRS230 with Manual transmission)

As you can see from the above replies, you get two sets of answers depending on manual/DSG transmission.

I used to have the same combo as you - VRS TDI/DSG and the same problems. Bogs down in high gear when you put your foot down in D, hangs on in low gear too long when you take your foot off in S. Used M-mode a lot but prefer shifting up/down using the selector and not the paddles, which are never by your hand when you really need them in a hurry. 

I have read that you can "reset the DSG" which means returning its adaptation to factory condition, but I'm not sure it actually learns or adapts while its being driven. Its a simple procedure no tool needed (but I can't remember how you'd have to search for it). 

Now I'm much happier with the petrol/DSG combination 😀

Mostly Eco so far. Does the job for the majority of driving with the DSG box but can easily blip into sport if I need to climb the speedo with more haste. 
Need to give the other settings more of a run out I think.