S3 S-Tronic (Too Harsh in Sport and Too Soft in Dynamic)

[WetFishDB]

I've had my S3 S-Tronic for a month or and done a few thousand miles.

With Drive select in Dynamic, I've noticed that with the gearbox in Sport mode its really harsh. Almost always redlines under even relatively gentle throttle.

However, the alternative to put the gearbox into normal Drive mode and its pretty sluggish unless you kick down. Almost always jumps up as soon as possible to the highest gear.

Neither seems particularly balanced for spirited (but not aggressive) driving. I was wondering if anyone had any solutions or recommendations other than putting it into Manual and doing it myself?

 

[arad85]

No solutions. You could choose E mode if you put it in economy... that way, Drive will seem really dynamic. But as the owner of an S3, I wouldn't have expected you'd found that mode yet

 

[WetFishDB]

I'm a bit of a tinkerer, so have played with Economy mode. It's truly awful.

Oddly, on a flat stretch of road with cruise control on I watched the mpg whilst I changed between Drive Select modes. Economy was consistently showing lower mpg than Dynamic (with normal gearbox mode).

I'm hoping there might be some modification or setting I haven't found that tells the Dynamic Drive select to use the gearbox differently to the way that Auto does.

 

[alistairm1]

What you seem to need is the Goldilocks setting, but it's not available in VCDS.

I'll fetch my coat.

 

[h5djr]

I've had my S3 S-Tronic for a month or and done a few thousand miles.

With Drive select in Dynamic, I've noticed that with the gearbox in Sport mode its really harsh. Almost always redlines under even relatively gentle throttle.

However, the alternative to put the gearbox into normal Drive mode and its pretty sluggish unless you kick down. Almost always jumps up as soon as possible to the highest gear.

Neither seems particularly balanced for spirited (but not aggressive) driving. I was wondering if anyone had any solutions or recommendations other than putting it into Manual and doing it myself?

I always use my s-tronic in Manual mode. Much more fun the using Auto mode

 

[WetFishDB]

I always use my s-tronic in Manual mode. Much more fun the using Auto mode

I just find I forget to downshift and so enter a roundabout in 4th when I should be in 2nd and have no where near as much pull as I had expected.

Just seems so dumb to have a Dynamic Mode that has either all on or all off.

 

[snowfree52]

flappy paddles ?

 

[WetFishDB]

flappy paddles ?

I do have them. But when turning the wheel they rotate so finding them isn't always the easiest mid roundabout.

 

[constvoid]

Have you tried having drive select in dynamic, but the gear selector in drive or drive select in auto and gearbox in sport? Maybe the accelerator response of dynamic combined with gearbox in sport is what it seeming harsh.

 

[WetFishDB]

Have you tried having drive select in dynamic, but the gear selector in drive or drive select in auto and gearbox in sport? Maybe the accelerator response of dynamic combined with gearbox in sport is what it seeming harsh.

Yeah, tried that. The Drive Select seems to have no real impact on the gearbox. Gearbox has Drive and Sport modes, which seem to operate independently of the Drive Select settings. i.e. Sport is very aggressive regardless of Drive Select being in Auto or Dynamic and Drive remains boring regardless of which Drive Select mode.

I haven't tried Drive Select: Comfort and Gearbox: Sport, although highly suspect that's clutching at straws.

 

[WetFishDB]

although highly suspect that's clutching at straws.

Excuse the pun. Wasn't intended

 

[Grant]

Doesn't S-Tronic learn how you're driving and will subsequently alter when it'll change gear?

 

[WetFishDB]

Doesn't S-Tronic learn how you're driving and will subsequently alter when it'll change gear?

That's what I've been told by Audi Salesperson, but not sure how correctly 'educate' the S-Tronic box. After 2.5k miles it hasn't changed to how I want it - I think I'm being a poor teacher.

 

[veeeight]

Doesn't S-Tronic learn how you're driving and will subsequently alter when it'll change gear?

This is much repeated internet myth.

It doesn't "learn" as such, it "adapts" to its internal parameters (eg:to account for wear on the clutch plates), you can set it to Ground Zero to re-adapt from scratch with VCDS.

With regards to actual driving - it uses a map (or multiple maps) to deliver an output, according to various inputs (throttle position, rate of change of throttle, road speed, incline, driver input, engine torque etc. etc.). There are lots of algorithms within the box and maps, and a degree of fuzzy logic.

But it would be inaccurate to say it "learns", more accurate to say it "adapts".

 

[WetFishDB]

This is much repeated internet myth.

It doesn't "learn" as such, it "adapts" to its internal parameters (eg:to account for wear on the clutch plates), you can set it to Ground Zero to re-adapt from scratch with VCDS.

With regards to actual driving - it uses a map (or multiple maps) to deliver an output, according to various inputs (throttle position, rate of change of throttle, road speed, incline, driver input, engine torque etc. etc.).

Blooming salesman. Sounds like it just adjusts for wear etc.

I guess it would need some sort of software modification then to adjust how it handles those inputs? Has anything been done like this before, even on previous versions? Does anyone know if its likely to be done on this version?

 

[Dan_G]

What about setting up Individual mode?

 

[veeeight]

There are various companies out there that offer a DQ250 remap, to give you what you want. ie: a D mode that does not shift into 5th/6th at 30mph.

However - in your particular circumstance, I do think that the S3 is torquey enough to cope with high gears at low speeds, in the particular instance you quote above - my solution approaching a roundabout is to either:

1. Downshift using the paddles as I approach the roundabout, then as I'm rolling across the entry, it will already be in 2nd (or whatever I choose)

2. Approaching the roundabout, give the gear lever a tug to shift it into "S" - it will definintely downshift as you would want it to, you will be in the correcy gear, then when you are exiting the roundabout - give the gear lever another tug to take it back into "D". This way you get all the downshifts and acceleration you want.

 

[pluves1]

I've had my S3 S-Tronic for a month or and done a few thousand miles.

With Drive select in Dynamic, I've noticed that with the gearbox in Sport mode its really harsh. Almost always redlines under even relatively gentle throttle.

However, the alternative to put the gearbox into normal Drive mode and its pretty sluggish unless you kick down. Almost always jumps up as soon as possible to the highest gear.

Neither seems particularly balanced for spirited (but not aggressive) driving. I was wondering if anyone had any solutions or recommendations other than putting it into Manual and doing it myself?

Quite interesting this as I was just experimenting with the Beemer earlier today. I know its a different system and all that but, Sport mode is impossible to drive in around town - too harsh. Normal mode requires you just to press harder on the accelerator to get the auto to drop down and move quicker. Does S-Tronic work like that? I often wonder how many peeps use the flappy paddles and I rarely use mine. When I do the car usually takes over as it thinks it knows best and changes up or down anyway!

 

[WetFishDB]

What about setting up Individual mode?

You can set gearbox in Auto or Dynamic, which from a gearbox perspective is like selecting those Drive Select Modes. Doesn't do anything.

 

[WetFishDB]

Quite interesting this as I was just experimenting with the Beemer earlier today. I know its a different system and all that but, Sport mode is impossible to drive in around town - too harsh. Normal mode requires you just to press harder on the accelerator to get the auto to drop down and move quicker. Does S-Tronic work like that? I often wonder how many peeps use the flappy paddles and I rarely use mine. When I do the car usually takes over as it thinks it knows best and changes up or down anyway!

It does eventually react to more throttle pressure and starts to quicken up, but it takes a while to 'wake up'.

Most of the time I find sitting at 50 or so, Sport Mode puts me in 3rd, Drive mode puts me in 6th, but I really want to be in 4th/5th etc

 

[WetFishDB]

There are various companies out there that offer a DQ250 remap, to give you what you want. ie: a D mode that does not shift into 5th/6th at 30mph.

However - in your particular circumstance, I do think that the S3 is torquey enough to cope with high gears at low speeds, in the particular instance you quote above - my solution approaching a roundabout is to either:

1. Downshift using the paddles as I approach the roundabout, then as I'm rolling across the entry, it will already be in 2nd (or whatever I choose)

2. Approaching the roundabout, give the gear lever a tug to shift it into "S" - it will definintely downshift as you would want it to, you will be in the correcy gear, then when you are exiting the roundabout - give the gear lever another tug to take it back into "D". This way you get all the downshifts and acceleration you want.

I shall do a google of DQ250 to see what comes up - thanks. I've tried both options. The latter is the more common one I've tried, but I feel like a tit going around the roundabout almost at the redline.

 

[veeeight]

Nudge it back into "D" with the gear lever after entering the roundabout then!

It's just a little tug !!

(said the Bishop to the Actress)

 

[WetFishDB]

Nudge it back into "D" with the gear lever after entering the roundabout then!

It's just a little tug !!

(said the Bishop to the Actress)

I get what you mean, just seems part of the whole simplicity of Automatic is lost if I have to keep telling it which mode to go into all the time in an attempt to find a middle ground.

 

[pluves1]

When you say takes a while do you accelerate hard? Presumably you want to be in 4th or 5th in case you need to accelerate hard?
Sounds exactly like mine but, the important thing is if you accelerate hard from 50 in 6th it will probably drop down to 3rd. Must try this in mine.

Flappy paddles will get you in the gear you want - the car will want to be in another gear though as it knows best

 

[WetFishDB]

When you say takes a while do you accelerate hard? Presumably you want to be in 4th or 5th in case you need to accelerate hard?
Sounds exactly like mine but, the important thing is if you accelerate hard from 50 in 6th it will probably drop down to 3rd. Must try this in mine.

Flappy paddles will get you in the gear you want - the car will want to be in another gear though as it knows best

It just feels like under normal driving that its sluggish. I know it'll kick down quickly if I need it to, but if I just want to close the gap between me and the car in front a little it'll either happen in the blink of an eye if I kick down, or take an age if I take anything other than an aggressive response. I just want it to feel a little more spritly under normal conditions.

 

[veeeight]

Do a search in the 8P section of this forum for threads and people who have had their box remapped.

 

[Flibble]

I mainly drive in M for this reason - D is too conservative/twitchy, seems to either hold high gear too much or kick down too much. S just keeps you in low gear all the time.

I've found the easiest way to shift when applying lots of lock is to use the stick instead of the paddles.

 

[h5djr]

I mainly drive in M for this reason - D is too conservative/twitchy, seems to either hold high gear too much or kick down too much. S just keeps you in low gear all the time.

I've found the easiest way to shift when applying lots of lock is to use the stick instead of the paddles.

We are obviously on the same wave length...

 

[RobH_S3]

This is weird, I honestly never have this problem, I either use dynamic in D mode when just driving around and it still holds gear till around 4k revs sometimes depending how much pressures on the pedal and it always downshifts for corners/roundabouts. It rarely goes into 6th till about 60mph, cruising at 30 its normally in 4th, may change to 5th if there only slight input on the pedal.

Alter your pedal input maybe, see if things change. Theres rarely a time I look down thinking "get in the right gear please" and if im tanking it, its always in manual.

Gearbox maps don't really alter the above. automatic upshift in manual removed, kickdown button removed but the S3 doesn't have that anyway that ive noticed. Its mainly torque limits that are raised, slightly faster gear changes.

Have a read of this DSG Performance Tuning | HPA Motorsports, Inc. ill be going for stage 3 when engine maps are released, not cheap though.

 

[veeeight]

^ I agree! I rarely think "it's not in the correct gear"

Though I've refined my pedal input over the miles, I can get it into pretty much whichever gear I want through pedal input alone.

There are DQ250 remaps that change the shift points.

 

[Peeb]

I haven't driven DSG much. Did have a TDi Jetta DSG this week. A fantastic combo around town. Anyway, when in manual mode, will the box still down change if you pop the kick down button with the accelerator? This is my biggest issue with auto boxes. Sometimes I'm quite happy to floor it in a higher gear and let the torque do the talking, rather than it drop 2 gears and send the revs into the red.

 

[JohnM100]

Anyway, when in manual mode, will the box still down change if you pop the kick down button with the accelerator? This is my biggest issue with auto boxes. Sometimes I'm quite happy to floor it in a higher gear and let the torque do the talking, rather than it drop 2 gears and send the revs into the red.

Yes it does, and I also wish it wouldn't (and for the same reasons).

John.

 

[James Chr]

I asked a local (Aus) mod guy this same question and it seems that we dont yet have a remap for this gearbox on the 8V. See below

"Yes we have great success with our MK5/6 Platform DSG Upgrade,

The new Platform MK7 VW and 8V Audi,s have as far are we know the same DSG Hardware.

The Communication Protocol in the Electronic side have been changed,so our current programming tools,
will not work.

We are in the process of having these upgraded in the next couple of months and then working on some upgraded software for these.

Yes we do believe the DSG Software is detectable by Audi.

I will keep your email on file and let you know as soon as i have any further updates,"

 

[SimonDaykin]

Actually I'm quite pleased to hear that someone else is having problems with the S-Tronic and it's not just me!...

My car is at about 1500 miles and the choice of gear by the gearbox is rubbish. It either changes up too early or too late and very rarely seems to be in the gear I want it to be in.
Even in S mode, I really don't want it to hold onto gears until the redline unless I have my foot at planted yet even if I tickle the throttle it will hold onto the gears to the point that I end up driving along with it at 5000 rpm

 

[James Chr]

I have had an R with DSG and now this one. The DSG in the S3 is much improved and the combination of the engine and the transmission is better sorted. The R was really, really docile in D, and really , really manic in S. They have removed the second "really" from this version. I would like something a bit sparkier in D and a bit more relaxed in S, so waiting patiently for the mappers to get to work

 

[moffe]

I think DSG/S-tronic works quite well...but it takes a bit time to get use to it. To know how it works and how when you should press the pedal and when not
Like, when you put it to reverse it will automatically put the second gear as the next gear. That is because Reverse and the First gear is on the same "shaft". That means if you go from Reverse to D/S it might "jump" because it starts from the Second gear. If you wan't it to be smooth, just put it to Reverse and to N for a second so it has the time to change to First gear, might take a second but not more.

I had a Volvo V60 D5 automatic, I must say I like the DSG more. That one was sluggish, slow and even "jumppy" in some gears. But I guess it's about personal taste. I just like that DSG/S-tronic feels more like a manual without needing to change the gears yourself (and that's what it is).