Manual mode

[A4B9]

3 months in with my s tronic and I'm starting to miss having to shift up and down manually. I've tried manual mode a few times but it just doesn't feel right without a clutch pedal and I find using the paddles on the steering wheel incredibly awkward

I've seen a few posts on the S3 board talking about how fun it is driving on manual but I just can't seem together any enjoyment from it. Do you have any recommendations on how I can adapt my driving to get used to shifting up and down without the third pedal?

 

[cuke2u]

According to those who have stronic you have to 'learn' how to drive the car over time. To my mind if a car just can't be 'driven' and it immediately fits to your driving style then there is something wrong...

 

[hmy7k]

I have an automatic for the first time albeit a tiptronic. I have always preferred a manual as you are more involved.
However, with more and more traffic on the roads I have found I get an aching left leg and in stop start traffic it can get uncomfortable.

I have drive select in auto most of the time, I switch to sport mode using the gear lever when I need to and occasionally use the paddles when overtaking but I find that trying to use the paddles to make every shift is pointless as the gearbox does a better job most of the time. Also mine is an 8 speed auto so I am going to be changing gear a lot more times than with a six speed manual.

I would have a manual for a sports car in the future but for normal use modern auto's are the future.

 

[duffbeerman]

According to those who have stronic you have to 'learn' how to drive the car over time. To my mind if a car just can't be 'driven' and it immediately fits to your driving style then there is something wrong...

We all had to "learn" how to drive a manual in the first place. Driving a S-Tronic is a little different to a manual or an automatic but it has advantages and disadvantages.
Don't worry about what gear it's in....just stick in D and have fun!

 

[philyus]

I agree completely, was a manual man for as long as I have been driving and moved to S tronic not really out of choice. However I love it now and yes you have to learn how to drive it and use it, takes a bit of time but it will come to you as soon as you stop waving your left foot around looking for the clutch!!

 

[cuke2u]

Yes 'sticking it in 'D', works but it is no solution to what the OP is saying and his question. He, as I stated, will have to learn to drive his car all over again if he wishes to use the manual mode.
The other, often used excuse, to justify the extra cost of a stronic is that it only comes alive if manual mode is used, which I think the OP is referring too.

 

[ScottishA4B9]

I took my manual on a nice long country B-road blast last night and love it! What a great engine and gearbox combo. Short, sharp & precise.

 

[syed123]

I have an automatic for the first time albeit a tiptronic. I have always preferred a manual as you are more involved.
However, with more and more traffic on the roads I have found I get an aching left leg and in stop start traffic it can get uncomfortable.

I have drive select in auto most of the time, I switch to sport mode using the gear lever when I need to and occasionally use the paddles when overtaking but I find that trying to use the paddles to make every shift is pointless as the gearbox does a better job most of the time. Also mine is an 8 speed auto so I am going to be changing gear a lot more times than with a six speed manual.

I would have a manual for a sports car in the future but for normal use modern auto's are the future.

@hmy7k How are u finding the 272 engine n the adaptive sports suspension? N how many miles have u now done?
My car should be here come august so very excited to hear feedback

 

[hmy7k]

@hmy7k How are u finding the 272 engine n the adaptive sports suspension? N how many miles have u now done?
My car should be here come august so very excited to hear feedback

I tend to have the adaptive in auto as I actually find comfort great for normal use when I find myself on some nice twisty roads the dynamic is nice to have available. Dynamic is perfectly acceptable though. The engine is very refined.
Just passed 1000 miles averaging about 40mpg which I am very happy with.

The car is fast and comfortable you won't be disappointed.

 

[Phil73]

First auto was a b8, had to go back in a manual insignia waiting for new a4 for 3 months. Forgot how much I now hate manuals especially crawling in traffic. Auto does take some getting used to, but wouldn't go back. At least the tap to s from d is quick, and you have both hands on the wheel when you floor it lol

 

[Dippy]

@A4B9 - doesn't the B9 s-tronic have the +/- points on the lever to manually shift? Whilst I am more than happy with the steering wheel paddles, I appreciate that the idea of doing so with the lever instead is a design targeted at people like you. You could even tap your left foot against the rest if it makes the experience a bit better?

 

[cuke2u]

First auto was a b8, had to go back in a manual insignia waiting for new a4 for 3 months. Forgot how much I now hate manuals especially crawling in traffic. Auto does take some getting used to, but wouldn't go back. At least the tap to s from d is quick, and you have both hands on the wheel when you floor it lol

On the other hand I absolutely detest the stronic in traffic. I am very smooth with the controls when I drive and do not make any jerky movements, my 65mpg on A roads is testiment to this, but on the stronic you put your foot down a little it crawls, put your foot down a bit more it suddenly takes off. A terrible design to have when having to parallel park...

 

[A5sprint]

3 months in with my s tronic and I'm starting to miss having to shift up and down manually. I've tried manual mode a few times but it just doesn't feel right without a clutch pedal and I find using the paddles on the steering wheel incredibly awkward

I've seen a few posts on the S3 board talking about how fun it is driving on manual but I just can't seem together any enjoyment from it. Do you have any recommendations on how I can adapt my driving to get used to shifting up and down without the third pedal?

I know exactly how you feel. I am currently looking to change to an A4 or Jag XE and with the more performance orientated models being auto only am having trouble deciding if I can live with one.
I find that I am constantly listening at the engine sound for gear changes, as you do in a manual, even in auto mode.
Also I hate it when driving in auto, you lift off for a bend, roundabout etc, the box changes up to a higher gear, you then ease your foot down a bit and the box hesitates as if it's not expecting to go down again, then changes down with a bit of a lurch. In a manual you wouldn't have this cos you can think ahead where the auto can't.
I don't want to buy a new car then regret it so am currently hiring an XE auto while on holiday this week and just driving around to try and get used to it.
I feel more comfortable in manual mode but as you say, with 8 gears to choose from its a lot more changing albeit quicker ones.
Are there any tips anyone can give regarding the above issue when in auto mode?

 

[Stuart Graham]

We all had to "learn" how to drive a manual in the first place. Driving a S-Tronic is a little different to a manual or an automatic but it has advantages and disadvantages.
Don't worry about what gear it's in....just stick in D and have fun!

Stick it in 'S' and hit dynamic, real fun!

I also use the paddles, takes time to get used too but also fun.

 

[S32B]

I'm 50/50 on going s-tronic on my next car as I think I'd miss the manual, but everyone over on the S3 forums says it's great!! I see on the A3 s-line saloon if you want the 2.0 engine with quattro you have to have the s-tronic!

I've looked at the s-line A4 2.0 and the difference on a PCP between manual and s-tronic is about £30 per month on a 3 year deal. So is £30pm for s-tronic worth it???? I can't decide! (That price was after getting ornagewheels quotes and then adjusting the figures on the Audi site to the 'to finance' part).

 

[cuke2u]

They do, however price for price, with the same options chosen, I can get a 2.0l petrol A4 with a manual gearbox, front wheel drive and in the colour I really want for the same price as a 2.0l petrol A3 saloon, also with a manual gearbox and front wheel drive, in a colour I don't really want to have again. The A4 also has extra's such as the extended interior lighting pack and is a bigger car with a larger boot, to me it's a no brainer as I am really not that bothered about paying extra for Quattro..

 

[S32B]

Yeah it's crazy, just a quick quote to see the price, A4 has a lot as standard, straight away add £700 on for parking sensors front and back on the A3, correct me if I'm wrong but they are standard on the A4?!?!

 

[PhxViper]

@S32B Yeah Audi Parking System is now standard on 2017 A4

 

[cuke2u]

Indeed it is, plus if you choose the privacy glass you get the acoustic drivers and passengers windows...

 

[ScottishA4B9]

Privacy glass well worth it!!! Car is VERY quiet with the acoustic glass!

 

[cppp]

They do, however price for price, with the same options chosen, I can get a 2.0l petrol A4 with a manual gearbox, front wheel drive and in the colour I really want for the same price as a 2.0l petrol A3 saloon, also with a manual gearbox and front wheel drive, in a colour I don't really want to have again. The A4 also has extra's such as the extended interior lighting pack and is a bigger car with a larger boot, to me it's a no brainer as I am really not that bothered about paying extra for Quattro..

yup thats why I ditched getting an A3 and went straight away for the A4.

 

[nathanrich]

I have the manual 190 TDI S Line Avant MY16.

Only drove it for a couple of days but what an engine gearbox combo! Precise and direct shifts with a short throw and instant throttle response.

It's currently back at the dealers having a few delivery marks sorted, in its place they left me an almost identical dealer demo car but it is an auto.

I was excited to try it as didn't get to test drive the auto and heard great things about the S Tronic.

Great in traffic as you can be lazy but not good when wanting to drive. Just too slow to react, even in dynamic and even when manually shifting the auto. Not precise enough and slow to take off. Leaves you guessing as to why you are not accelerating instantly like in the manual. The paddles on the steering wheel only serve to make you feel even more disconnected. Plus I find it challenging and jerky doing low speed manoeuvres having to ride the brake. Fabulous in town traffic though.

Like the OP Ive always prefered a manual box so maybe I'm biased. But I do think a key part of the driving enjoyment goes away with an auto.