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DSG Down-Shifting? Is it killing my TDI?

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schmeric

New member
Hey Guys, what's up. New owner of a '10 MK6 Golf TDI.. and new member of the site!

I am a car noob! But I have a question... Is down-shifting in my TDI killing the transmission?
I have the Tiptronic DSG 6 speed, it's a lot of fun without being full manual tranny.

So, everytime I am coming to a stop or slowing down on the high-way, frequently drop from 6 or whatever down to 4, then 3 and 2,1 to slow the car down. I do this because I hate tapping the brake all the time on the highway or even before it's necessary to stop. This downshifting works, even for stop-signs.. gradually gearing down until you are crawling.

But, for what I am saving on brakes am I killing my Drivetrain?!
 
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imatwork

Ready to race!
That's probably putting unnecessary strain on your transmission. Its cheaper to replace your pads and rotors.
 
josuar88

josuar88

Ready to race!
Even given my post I agree with this as well^ but I mean drive how ever your comfortable I know people that down shift manuals down to first where I go down to second then neutral its just preference.
 
Stocktastic1

Stocktastic1

Go Kart Champion
DSG will not let you make a shift that will harm anything.

Try going from 6th to 1st at 80mph... it says "Nope, you stupid fuck."

Therefore, anything you do that it lets you do is just fine.
 
chapusin1

chapusin1

Go Kart Champion
Stocktastic said:
Try going from 6th to 1st at 80mph... it says "Nope, you stupid fuck."
Click to expand...

 
Timujin

Timujin

Ready to race!
I sometimes do the same but usually down to 2nd gear because 1st is jerky. Maybe a little extra tranny strain.
 
Stocktastic1

Stocktastic1

Go Kart Champion
Timujin said:
I sometimes do the same but usually down to 2nd gear because 1st is jerky. Maybe a little extra tranny strain.
Click to expand...

First is jerky in my GTI, as well.

First is normally jerky in anything, though.

I will say this, DSG is absolutely not an automatic transmission... as we know it. My Pontiac G5 was a traditional autotragic... no jerk in first, or any gear for that matter. DSG drives almost exactly like a traditional manual transmission.
 
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skeelo

Passed Driver's Ed
If they weren't meant to downshift they wouldn't put the - paddle IMO :thumbsup:. Like another poster mentioned, the DSG is not a traditional auto by any stretch and will prevent you from yourself :)
 
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schmeric

New member
So, it looks like I am going to keep down-shifting!

Maybe I'll keep myself from popping into 1st since i am usually only doing <20km whenever that becomes an option.. and opt to just tap the break instead.

Thanks guys, I have a lot more confidence in driving this way now especially.. Stocktastic

DSG will not let you make a shift that will harm anything.

Try going from 6th to 1st at 80mph... it says "Nope, you stupid fuck."

Therefore, anything you do that it lets you do is just fine.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what the DSG does... haha, if you down-shift too fast you feel the car totally dis-engage and let out the clutch until you get it right or slow down enough..

..othertimes it just stops you from shifting into a lower gear. (And my Golf makes me feel like a stupid fuck. But I love it anyways! HA!)

Thanks! :D
 
smrtypants44

smrtypants44

Go Kart Champion
I guess I'm in the minority here but I go directly to neutral if I know I'm going to be stopping (in my MT). Brakes are cheaper than transmissions so the only time I would downshift like that would be on a long downhill grade to hold speed without using the brakes.
 
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ghostwind

Passed Driver's Ed
This is a bad habit, from when one needed to do this with early manual cars where double clutching was also necessary. Today, it's a bad habit - DSG or manual. Brakes are there for a reason, and cheap to replace. Downshifting through the gears WILL wear down the tranny and engine unnecessarily. Just because DSG algorithm allows it, doesn't mean it's good for the car...Just real bad practice, but to each his own.
 
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