Facelift S3 S-Tronic Question

[Mark_86]

Hi guys,

So, had the S3 for a few months now and have a quick question that might be a concern.

The S-Tronic sometimes feels a bit 'clunky' when pulling away - it's the initial launch, when driving normally away from a junction or something and sometimes I just get a second 'jolt'. First of all, I thought it might be because I had it in individual mode with the engine set or Dynamic and the box to normal, but seems to do it in Auto aswell. Pulling the lever into Sport mode seems to help oddly. It could just be my driving and still needing to get used to it.

Also, I thought it cold be related to the hill hold being on and not 'letting go' in time, but I 'tap' the throttle to disengage it and then pull away - still happens. It's not all the time, and if I feed the throttle gently, it doesn't happen. But, if I give it a decent prod (not to the floor full bore, but enough that I need some moderate movement) it sometimes occurs.

Just wondering if this is a normal 'trait' of the box?

And... the roads around here have been a bit, moist (i.e. not wet, but damp I guess) and I seem to get the traction control light flash sometimes if I give her the beans out of a junction or something. Normal?

Two months old, 3.5k miles... about 6-7 launch control starts... sounding better with every mile! Overall, happy - but little niggles. If it's normal, I can live with it and drive around it, but if it sounds 'not normal' then I want to get it checked out.

Thanks in advance peeps!

 

[RM88]

Mine seems pretty smooth if I'm honest, no jolts to speak of. I drive it in dynamic all the time now and
pulls away smoothly.

 

[Mark_86]

What it's like, is if you driving a manual and pull away and let off the clutch a bit too quick if that makes sense... probably best way to describe it.

 

[RM88]

Yeah I know what you mean like a bit of a lurch? I'd get it booked in definitely not experienced that. Maybe just ask to get a tech out in the car with you and replicate it my diagnose it quicker.

 

[Mark_86]

Yeah I know what you mean like a bit of a lurch? I'd get it booked in definitely not experienced that. Maybe just ask to get a tech out in the car with you and replicate it my diagnose it quicker.

Yeah, I'll get it booked in when I'm back from the Lakes next week. It's not major, and 99.9% of the time it's fine... but at least if there is no problem, it's logged just in case. Anyone else?

 

[RichardT]

I think it may be just a case of getting used to it. You have to be really careful on the gas to avoid a jolt. And the little lag on take off is well documented. Throttle takes up a bit quicker in dynamic, but then it's a bit firey really - sticks in liw gear a bit too long in my experience.

 

[AudiNutta]

Mine is smooth pulling away, occasionally I have a few rough down changes in lower gears which I am noticing more.
I drove my granddads S Tronic 1.4TFSi on the weekend, I am very surprised to find the gearbox seems hugely smoother. It changes gear 99% of the time with you not knowing, not sure if it's because it's missing the noise of the engine or what :/

They are definitely set up different from the off, regardless of modes the 1.4 wants to change up sooner rather than later where as the S3 is happy to rev.

 

[SJ43]

Certainly worth trying to get to dealers where they have one you can drive?
Then you can see back to back against another S3. Just a thought.

 

[Mark_86]

Certainly worth trying to get to dealers where they have one you can drive?
Then you can see back to back against another S3. Just a thought.

Good idea. Think they have one actually...

 

[NotNormal]

Is your auto handbrake on or off ??
Try turning it off and driving

My car is 98 days old, I've covered 5000 miles, and done two launches. Smooth as a smooth thing for mine TBH

 

[Mark_86]

Is your auto handbrake on or off ??
Try turning it off and driving

My car is 98 days old, I've covered 5000 miles, and done two launches. Smooth as a smooth thing for mine TBH

It's on, I will try it without on the way home tonight.

 

[Mark_86]

It's also developed a really annoying rattle from under the steering wheel somewhere (might be the storage bin under the seat) and a horrid noise from the rear door card I'm assuming. Not impressed with the build quality if I'm honest...

 

[AndrewB]

Do you have Hold Assist specced on yours? (if not, ignore the rest of this!)

If using Hold Assist, try giving the throttle a really tiny blip just before you intend to set off. This makes it release the footbrake, so then the S tronic clutch engages and it starts moving. Then when you apply throttle properly it's all good.

Just think of it as double-tapping the throttle when you set off. Otherwise it doesn't release quite quickly enough when the gearbox clutch engages, which causes a bit of a lurch.

We've got Hold Assist on both the S3 (S tronic) and Golf VII (manual). Personally - and it is a personal preference - I like it, on both of them, but it does take some adjustment in driving style to get the best from it.

 

[Mark_86]

Do you have Hold Assist specced on yours? (if not, ignore the rest of this!)

If using Hold Assist, try giving the throttle a really tiny blip just before you intend to set off. This makes it release the footbrake, so then the S tronic clutch engages and it starts moving. Then when you apply throttle properly it's all good.

Just think of it as double-tapping the throttle when you set off. Otherwise it doesn't release quite quickly enough when the gearbox clutch engages, which causes a bit of a lurch.

We've got Hold Assist on both the S3 (S tronic) and Golf VII (manual). Personally - and it is a personal preference - I like it, on both of them, but it does take some adjustment in driving style to get the best from it.

Yeah, I think this might be the problem. I'm not 100% sure yet, but i've been doing that and it tends to be smoother, so maybe I'm just catching it with HHA sometimes. Gonna keep an eye on it and see...