Hi,

I have an automatic transmission beginner question, I hope you won't laugh at me, but till now I've been driving a manual car, so I am a bit confused. So with DSG in the new Octavia I've been told to hold the brake if I start the engine, change P to D or R, etc. I've also been told that it is not a good idea to rely on the P, especially when parking on a hill, because the wheels are held in place only by some little piece of metal. All of this together and my lack of experience makes me ask what happens if I change the transmission to P and release the brake, or even press the acceleration pedal? Can I do some damage to the engine, transmission, that little piece of metal or whatever? Or is it safe, just like pressing the accelerator while the manual transmission is set to neutral (the only risk is getting the engine to high RPMs)? 

 

Thanks for your help

You need to keep your foot on the brake pedal to start the car and to engage any gear. Don't worry it will soon become a natural thing and you won't want to go back to a manual again.

 

When you park anywhere (even on a hill) and press P or just turn the ignition off then the gearbox automatically engages P (Park) and applies the parking brake for you, you might also note there's a second button below the parking brake switch press it and it activates auto hold which is nice when stopped in traffic as with it activated you don'y need to keep your foot on the brake pedal, regardless of it being on the level or downhill/uphill grade.

 

When you park on a grade, just start it as normal and engage drive, take your foot off the brake and apply power, the parking brake should automatically release itself, if it doesn't just put your foot back on the brake, release the parking brake via the switch and the drive away, there's an automatic delay to the brakes releasing if your car is parked on a upward grade to prevent you rolling backward.

 

 

Edited 17 December, 20241 yr by TheWanderer

Welcome.

Be stopped when you select P. Foot on Brake Pedal. Then engage the e-Brake or the car does. 

Pressing the accelerator once in P.  ie out of gear makes no difference.

 

Handy if you say what the Octavia is, Petrol, Diesel or Hybrid.   Makes no difference really to the DSG though.  other than which DSG. 

Yeah definitely DON'T engage P in motion.

 

One of the best ways to stop mistakes when making the transition from manual to DSG is when driving put your left leg behind your right one, it stops you going for the non existent clutch pedal or making an accidental emergency stop!

 

After a while of driving the DSG car all of a sudden you'll find that you won't need to put your left leg behind your right one as your brain has adjusted to the new driving method. For me I daren't drive a manual, as the last time I tried I nearly pranged my mums car & nearly put it in a neighbours garden as I hadn't driven one for 15 years 

Edited 17 December, 20241 yr by TheWanderer

When you park up just switch the car off while keep your foot on the brake pedal, it’ll automatically go into Park and apply the parking brake. 

Hi,

thank you all for the advices, I really didn't expect this I didn't know that there is a break auto dealay when the car is parked, thanks @TheWanderer

 

But my concern is little bit different. It is more about something what I can do accidentaly. So, for example:

1) the car is properly  parked (P and e-break)

2) I press the break and start the engine

3) I forget to switch to D or R

4) while still in P (and e-break on), I release the break and press acceleration pedal

 

Can this do any harm to anything in the car? My expectation is that just the egine goes to high RPM , which may not be good but also no disater. Am I correct?

 

The car is petrol.

 

Thanks:)

Edited 17 December, 20241 yr by PavelPavel
auto correct typo

Nothing will happen if auto hold is engaged or if the car is parked on the level. The engine will rev and that's it.

 

It's not advisable to do it, although I've done it a couple of times with this one as it's the first one with an electronic parking brake and selection switch rather than a proper gearstick & traditional parking brake.

 

Just do it with a little discipline & slowly at first and it will soon kick in with practice.

 

I occasionally flick the gear selector and thinking that it's in drive put my foot down only for it to rev and not move, so just put my foot back on the brake and press the gear selector a bit more firmly and it will go.

Thanks, I don't see any reason to do this.  I assume that P is the same as N plus blocked wheels, correct?

 

Based on what you wrote, I see another potential mistake. Since the gear selector is electronic, it should do no harm, but what if I try to move it without pressing the break?

 

 

P - engages a pin in the gearbox locking the wheels

 

N - is like traditional neutral

 

Yes, but only wheels are blocked, not the transmission or engine, otherwise pressing the acceleration pedal in P would demage something. This means that P = N plus actived wheel blocking pin. Or am I missing somethig?

Press the BRAKE pedal.   There are only 2 pedals and you are using one foot. 

A green foot / brake symbol shows.  Press Brake and select what ever. 

 

Autohold enabled, Press brake and then what autohold function your foot can come off the brake.   Touch the accelerator or brake to disengage. 

 

Then there is Stop / Start,  are you using it. 

Thanks, but I am not asking how to operate the car, I can RTFM to find out that. My curiosity is about things which are not in the fine manual. Like what happens if I do something (accidentally) wrong or how things works. Just to understand the car better.

 

e.g. it happen to me few times with my old manual car that I tried to switch the gears without pressing the clutch. The sound was not nice, but the car was fine after that.

You can't do anything wrong really. The gearbox is foolproof, once you get used to the twin pedal arrangement instead of the 3 in a manual, then it's all plain sailing really, the only thing to check up on is with the Matrix headlights if you have them is how they work on the stalk.

 

The car is pretty much foolproof. I've had mine just under 2 years and I still occasionally press the wrong button or can't find something on the infotainment system.

 

I think you're worrying way too much.

7 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

I think you're worrying way too much.

I agree, there's nothing to be scared of with an auto box of any kind, DSG or not. So long as common sense is applied you can't really do anything wrong that will break it (other than moving the shifter to another setting while on the move!). It always makes sense to me to double check the car has applied the ebrake for you when when parked in P, on a hill particularly. 

BTW, in case you haven't RTFM in detail yet, it's worth doing so, these car are very sophisticated and it will answer many questions that might be in your mind. 

Edited 18 December, 20241 yr by SouthernComfort
typo

I've found this thread quite informative, as similar to @PavelPavel experience I've never driven an auto of any kind. As my new car has been delayed, I had also delayed the last minute/day before google of "how to drive a DSG" 

15 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

I think you're worrying way too much.

Probably yes, I tend to do that especially with new, unfamiliar and expensive stuff Thanks everyone for help, support and advice.  Better understanding how things work helps me, that is why I keep asking about the differences and similarities between N and P.

I agree that the control design seems to quite foolproof

 

8 hours ago, SouthernComfort said:

I agree, there's nothing to be scared of with an auto box of any kind, DSG or not. So long as common sense is applied you can't really do anything wrong that will break it (other than moving the shifter to another setting while on the move!).

Actually the manual suggest exactly this (switch from D to R and back while moving to swing the car) to get from e.g. snow. But in the low speed. It is in section Automatic gearbox/Troubleshooting.

 

I am trying to read the manual thoroughly, but some details are simply not there.

6 hours ago, PavelPavel said:

Actually the manual suggest exactly this (switch from D to R and back while moving to swing the car) to get from e.g. snow. But in the low speed. It is in section Automatic gearbox/Troubleshooting.

Ok, obviously you have read the manual - good. However to cherry pick that particular maneuver is an exception I'll concede, but in performing that (usually called 'rocking' the transmission to free the car stuck in snow, mud etc.) is not the same thing as being on the move. With rocking, the movement is very short, slight and at no speed.

Just don't shift between selections while driving unless it's to manually shift from D (Drive) to S (Sport), or to manually use the paddle shifters in D or S.

Get snow (winter ❄️ tyres) if you're that worried. 

I was surprised when I read it, this one usually one of the first warnings you get on this topic. I have winter tires and I am considering even chains for some trips.

There are recommended wheel / tyre sizes for when snow chains are being used.  Are you going to continental Europe regions where snow chains must be carried and fitted if posted that they must be put on? 

9 hours ago, Ootohere said:

There are recommended wheel / tyre sizes for when snow chains are being used.  Are you going to continental Europe regions where snow chains must be carried and fitted if posted that they must be put on? 

Just precaution and I am not entirely sure if I going to buy that. I know R18 can be used with chains.

my last vrs was my first ever auto after 30+ years driving..I got used to it after 3 days and now 3 years later and onto to my second auto I would never go back!

its pretty fool proof, you cant accidently pick reverse while moving forward or anything like that..its all electronic and it just wont let you, 

 

I personally dont use auto hold as I find it an irritant in stop start traffic