Thinking of getting a new Karoq 1.5 DSG, up till now always had a manual car so i am a bit apprehensive about making a decision to go from manual to DSG.

What are owners and previous owners views on the Skoda DSG gearbox, smooth and reliable or to be avoided at all costs + is the DSG auto and it's dual clutches fully covered in the 3 year warranty.

The Manufacturers warranty on a New car covers the DSG including clutches.

Best you read the Warranty. 

 

If keeping beyond 3 years then extend the Warranty before the car is First Registered for 4 or 5 years. 

 

 

SKODA_Warranty_Terms_July_2023.pdf

Edited 7 July, 20241 yr by Ootohere

My 2019 1.5 TSI DSG is my first non-manual car.

With this technical soul of mine, I can only be amazed by the smoothness of DSG gear shifting. My only grievance is the inability to jump briskly in a fast moving traffic gap, except by launching, which seems pretty extreme. When normally starting from standstill, DSG engages the clutch far before the revs reach the turbo boost threshold.

 

 

Edited 7 July, 20241 yr by agedbriar

FWD & AWD are different DSG,s and then behave a bit different, and there is S maybe for jumping briskly in fast moving traffic, or even a 2.0 TSI. 

From standstill, there is practically no difference between S and D, at least in mine.

As long as the car is moving, yes, S will keep the revs higher and the car will thus accelerate more promptly when requested.

 

 

Edited 7 July, 20241 yr by agedbriar

As i said, different DSG,s even though both 7 gears.  Different weight as well.

Lighter front FWD with no rear wheel drive going to come in.

Sitting in D stopped and into S with a DQ200 dsg and the RPM rises and it holds just a bit more to going to 2nd then 3rd, but then maybe some wheel spin.

Driving back to back is the best way to compare. 

I've had 11 DSG's from 2008.

 

Dry Clutch, Wet Clutch, 6 speed, 7 speed, transverse and longitudinal.

 

I've had my fair share of issues with the DQ200 dry clutch but currently have two, a 2017 1.0Tsi Fabia and a 2023 1.5TSi Karoq.

 

The DQ200 has steadily improved over the years and the Karoq's is the best I've had.  I have 5 years warranty on this one so see how it goes.

Edited 7 July, 20241 yr by logiclee

There are different versions of the DSG gearbox, to suit different engine power outputs.  The 1.5 (and 1.0) petrol use a 7 speed dry clutch version (DQ200).  We have a  2015 1.2 TSI Fabia ( 8 years)  with the 7 speed dry clutch, a 2023 2.0 TSI Karoq with 7 speed wet clutch (DQ381) which replaced a 2013 2.0 TDI Touran with the 6 speed wet clutch (DQ250)  (11 years  and 108,000 miles) - still drove as smoothly as when it was new, 

 

There are differences in how they behave, predominantly in the way they move off from rest. TDI engines have torque at low revs, in my experience this allows the DSG to engage a clutch without the driver pressing the accelerator, this aids a smooth pull away from rest.  The 2.0 TSI has the 7 speed wet clutch DSG and this has sufficient torque at low revs to move off, on level roads, without pressing the accelerator. In other words they will 'creep' like a torque convertor automatic. As others have said the DQ200 7 speed does not engage the clutches so readily at low revs, it does not creep so readily, which may be the reason why getting out of junctions quickly can be difficult sometimes. The footbrake has sensors on it which the DSG software uses to determine what to do. With the footbrake pressed firmly the clutches disengage, stop/start will stop the engine, moving ones foot quickly from footbrake to accelerator will generally lead to the car leaping forward  after a delay while the engine is restarted, a gear is engaged (very often 2nd) and the clutches engage, pressing the accelerator further causes the DSG to select first gear before pulling away rapidly.  Footbrake pressure can be used to control what the DSG does; Firm press will stop the car, disengage the clutches and stop the engine (if S/S active), reducing the pressure slightly (on the Fabia and Karoq) restarts the engine,, reducing the pressure further causes the clutches to engage (revs drop slightly). Releasing the footbrake then usually results in the car starting to creep, once moving pressing the accelerator as normal. Basically its using footbrake pedal pressure to control what a clutch pedal would on a manual. Thois might sound complicated but it becomes second nature.

 

Hill Hold assist also comes into play. The Fabia does not have Hill Hold so requires accelerator pressure sometimes to pull away on a slope. The Karoq does have HillHold, this has the effect of delaying the release of the brakes when pressure is removed from the footbrake pedal which prevents rolling back.

 

I would advise going for as long a test drive as possible ,  I don't think you will have any issues with DSG  in most driving situations but perform parking maneuvers, reversing especially, stopping and starting on slopes. DSGs all have Sport mode and the ability to manually select gears. I tend to use Sport mode in the Fabia because I fell it creeps more readily and pulls away easier. Although the Karoq has paddle shifters I don'trealy use them and don't use manual mode.

 

FInally a really clever thing with the DSG is the way it uses cruise control. Once cruise control is active the DSG will select whatever gears, higher or lower,  it needs to maintain the set speed, and you won't even feel the changes.

I bought my first DSG car, a Seat Ateca (also with the 1.5 TSI engine) in 2022.  Since then it has covered 22K miles, in all road conditions and in most cases the DSG gearbox is brilliant.  It makes the car very relaxing to drive in stop/start traffic, sport mode enables a very entertaining drive on twisty country roads and the paddle shifts enable me to override the early changing up nature of the gearbox, especially when accelerating away from a local roundabout up a long hill.  The only aspect I need to be aware of is the slight hesitancy when pulling away from rest, such as joining traffic on a roundabout.  It's never caused a problem.

Just go for it, I did after 50 years driving manuals only.

Can't say what the Karoq DSG is like to drive, I bought a Kamiq DSG (1ltr) and loving it.

I use mine mainly in D mode, it's very smooth and have learned to use Sport mode when I need that quick boost of speed on twisty roads, hills or overtaking.

I'm a novice really driving this DSG, only around 3 months in but loving it.

11 hours ago, thamestrader said:

 

Hill Hold assist also comes into play. The Fabia does not have Hill Hold so requires accelerator pressure sometimes to pull away on a slope. The Karoq does have HillHold, this has the effect of delaying the release of the brakes when pressure is removed from the footbrake pedal which prevents rolling back.

 

Your Fabia should have Hill Hold.  It was standard on 1.2TSi DSG Mk2 and Mk3 and was standard on all 1.0TSi 110 models.  We've had both and still have a 1.0Tsi DSG.

 

The differences in creep between the DQ200 and DQ250/381 is not really down to engine torque but the control of the clutches. In the wet clutch variants the clutches can transfer torque while stationary and slow moving, the multiplate wetclutch design allows for slip without excessive heat build up as the clutch pack is lubricated and cooled by the transmission fluid, that's why you will also see the box slip in 2nd in slow moving traffic rather than change to 1st.

For the DQ200 clutch slip needs to be kept to a minimum, any clutch slip means heat build up and clutch wear. 

When sat in Drive and engine running the wet clutches are already held at touch point and can progressively engage. For DQ200 the clutches are held clear and is the reason why it feels more hesitant at slow speed.

@logiclee Thank you for the  explanation, its useful to know.  I think I might have a problem with our Fabia. My drive has a slight slop up to the house and garage, both my Touran and now the KAroq will creep up the drive without rolling back, but the Fabia always rolls back until you can 'catch'it' on the clutch by increasing the revs. Its either not working at all or the slope is not steep enough to be detected. I will have to investigate further.

Not all Mk3 Fabia DSG do have Hill Hold Assist.  Not as they are sold to the customer.

 

There is a post yesterday in the section, asking if the members car has.

The link is there from me on Activating the Hill Hold, other members posts / threads.

 

Too often people assume because one model or year has something then they all have.

Skoda charge extra for some stuff.  It is there on the car, just not Activated at the factory. 

28 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

Not all Mk3 Fabia DSG do have Hill Hold Assist.  Not as they are sold to the customer.

 

 

Which years didn't?

 

I have the 2015, 2017 and 2019 uk brochures. All should have and all ours have had Hill Hold.

Edited 8 July, 20241 yr by logiclee

Which models / trim do you mean? 

Read the threads of those asking how to activate the Hill Hold assist because their cars did not have it or they thought they did not. 

Some might even be talking about a manual and not a DSG.

 

I have only 1 foot, and have driven dozens and dozens of vehicles with a DSG over 14 years and not one has ever not had Hill Hold Assist.

That is Diesels & Petrols and from 1.0 - 3.0 Litres. 

Edited 8 July, 20241 yr by Ootohere

We switched from a diesel 4Motion Tigaun with DG381 wet clutch to Petrol 1.5 petrol with DQ200 dry clutch.    They both work absolutly fine - I've never experienced the hesitation from rest that other people speak about although I will say we don't use auto hold or stop/start.  You can catch it out if you're doing a rolling join to a roundabout etc -  I find you just have to learn to trust it, let it sort the gears out (which can take a whole second) and not plant the accelerator.    I have read that DSGs can vary even on the  same car and engine.

 

 I accidently put super-unleaded in the Karoq and it became bonkers - couldn't turn out of a wet junction without spinning the front tyres. 

1 hour ago, Ootohere said:

Which models / trim do you mean? 

Read the threads of those asking how to activate the Hill Hold assist because their cars did not have it or they thought they did not. 

Some might even be talking about a manual and not a DSG.

 

I have only 1 foot, and have driven dozens and dozens of vehicles with a DSG over 14 years and not one has ever not had Hill Hold Assist.

That is Diesels & Petrols and from 1.0 - 3.0 Litres. 

 

It changes year on year what was standard on what engine for manuals but in every brochure I can see Hill Hold has always been standard for DSG models.

 

The 11 DSG's we've had all had Hill Hold.

Edited 8 July, 20241 yr by logiclee

We've had two 1.5 Karoq DSGs now, one a 2020 model & the current 2024. 

 

The 2020 always felt smooth once you get to 3rd or 4th, at lower speeds it sometimes didn't want to change so it would start screaming, we never had any big problems, the only annoying thing was the start/stop system picked and chose when to work. You could drive for a whole day & it starts working at the end of the trip, or it'll work when you don't want it to like at a busy roundabout then not work for the rest of the trip. I did feel the 1.5 wasn't powerful enough for the Karoq

 

The 2024 so far has been lovely, it seems like an upgrade engine wise but I'm not technically sound so couldn't tell you what's different. It's very good, start/stop works all the time. Averaged 38mpg over the 3000 miles, which is mostly a 4 mile work commute every other day. But I've done four 120 mile journeys in it & the best it returned was 54mpg at 70mph cruise control. I feel if I tried to hypermile it I'd be able to push 60mpg in the right conditions. 

 

 

 

Edited 10 July, 20241 yr by Ootohere

8 minutes ago, CLB said:

We've had two 1.5 Karoq DSGs now, one a 2020 model & the current 2024. 

 

The 2020 always felt smooth once you get to 3rd or 4th, at lower speeds it sometimes didn't want to change so it would start screaming, we never had any big problems, the only annoying thing was the start/stop system picked and chose when to work. You could drive for a whole day & it starts working at the end of the trip, or it'll work when you don't want it to like at a busy roundabout then not work for the rest of the trip. I did feel the 1.5 wasn't powerful enough for the Karoq

 

The 2024 so far has been lovely, it seems like an upgrade engine wise but I'm not technically sound so couldn't tell you what's different. It's very good, start/stop works all the time. Averaged 38mpg over the 3000 miles, which is mostly a 4 mile work commute every other day. But I've done four 120 mile journeys in it & the best it returned was 54mpg at 70mph cruise control. I feel if I tried to hypermile it I'd be able to push 60mpg in the right conditions. 

 

 

Thanks for the info CLB, would you say the 2024 model has got rid of your concerns about not wanting to change gear and the screaming on the 2020 model?

2 hours ago, CLB said:

We've had two 1.5 Karoq DSGs now, one a 2020 model & the current 2024. 

 

The 2020 always felt smooth once you get to 3rd or 4th, at lower speeds it sometimes didn't want to change so it would start screaming, we never had any big problems, the only annoying thing was the start/stop system picked and chose when to work. You could drive for a whole day & it starts working at the end of the trip, or it'll work when you don't want it to like at a busy roundabout then not work for the rest of the trip. I did feel the 1.5 wasn't powerful enough for the Karoq

 

The 2024 so far has been lovely, it seems like an upgrade engine wise but I'm not technically sound so couldn't tell you what's different. It's very good, start/stop works all the time. Averaged 38mpg over the 3000 miles, which is mostly a 4 mile work commute every other day. But I've done four 120 mile journeys in it & the best it returned was 54mpg at 70mph cruise control. I feel if I tried to hypermile it I'd be able to push 60mpg in the right conditions. 

 

 

 

 

Your 2020 pre-facelift had the earlier 1.5TSi and your newer facelift model has the 1.5TSi EVO2 engine which has significant improvements which can be viewed in the links shared above.  Same power and torque though.

The DSG mapping is different but holding onto gears until the engine is screaming is not a characteristic of a DSG working correctly. Occasionally they can hold onto gears if engine braking down a hill and then accelerating but something seems odd in your description, especially if you feel it's down on power compared to the later 1.5.

If you driving a long time before stop start operates that would indicate a struggling battery.

Edited 10 July, 20241 yr by logiclee

55 minutes ago, logiclee said:

 

 

Your 2020 pre-facelift had the earlier 1.5TSi and your newer facelift model has the 1.5TSi EVO2 engine which has significant improvements which can be viewed in the links shared above.  Same power and torque though.

The DSG mapping is different but holding onto gears until the engine is screaming is not a characteristic of a DSG working correctly. Occasionally they can hold onto gears if engine braking down a hill and then accelerating but something seems odd in your description, especially if you feel it's down on power compared to the later 1.5.

If you driving a long time before stop start operates that would indicate a struggling battery.

I find our 2024 model reluctant to go into 7th unless I'm doing 50+mph or so - infact it's very difficult to have it saunter along in any gear at less than 1500 rpm - my Superb and Golf are quite happy to do just that.

33 minutes ago, Berisford said:

I find our 2024 model reluctant to go into 7th unless I'm doing 50+mph or so - infact it's very difficult to have it saunter along in any gear at less than 1500 rpm - my Superb and Golf are quite happy to do just that.

 

 

Is yours one that was held back for the July 24 software change?

@Berisford could you say what engine so DSG the Superb has?

& the Golf as well, as it will not have ACT. 

57 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@Berisford could you say what engine so DSG the Superb has?

& the Golf as well, as it will not have ACT. 

It's true they aren't ACT engines, the Superb is a 2.0TSI and the Golf a 1.6TDI.

 

1 hour ago, logiclee said:

 

 

Is yours one that was held back for the July 24 software change?

Yes, it is.