A3 1.5L TFSI Jerking

[Nothingdoing079]

I've been noticing over the last couple of days, that when taking off from a cold start (i.e. if the car has been off for >2 hours) that the A3 will jerk slightly (almost like when first learning to drive) before becoming more responsive.

I have seen that there was an issue with the 1.5L engine a couple years ago due to a similar reason, but understood from everything I've read that this had been fixed.

I was wondering whether anyone else is seeing or experiencing similar with their cars at all? I've had this car for 2 weeks now, and yet nothing seems to be going how I would expect it to.

 

[auzzam_crd]

the only jerking I experienced was when switching from D > R or vice versa.

That was only at the start though, its been fine ever since.

Could you perhaps post a video of it?

 

[KXL]

Is yours a manual 1.5TSI? As far as I know, the DSGs / S-Tronic do not have jerking problem, however the 1.5 Evo ACTs 150s it was not uncommon for the car to Kangaroo when cold. Can't comment if it has been fixed or not, but previous gen cars with the 1.5 EVo never truly had a real fix, just managed to maybe lessen the jerking. As far as I know, there is little difference between the 1.5Evo from previous gens cars to current cars, so wouldn't be surprised if the jerkiness still persists on manual 1.5s.

 

[Nothingdoing079]

Is yours a manual 1.5TSI? As far as I know, the DSGs / S-Tronic do not have jerking problem, however the 1.5 Evo ACTs 150s it was not uncommon for the car to Kangaroo when cold. Can't comment if it has been fixed or not, but previous gen cars with the 1.5 EVo never truly had a real fix, just managed to maybe lessen the jerking. As far as I know, there is little difference between the 1.5Evo from previous gens cars to current cars, so wouldn't be surprised if the jerkiness still persists on manual 1.5s.

Mines the 6 Speed Manual.

I know from reading that this was an issue, however from what I could gather VW had fixed it back in 2020 (Which I'm thinking is likely not the case).

 

[Jabba46]

Oh no, this has been on ongoing issue with the 1.5 engines mated with the manual transmission for years. My wife had a T-Roc a few years back with that configuration and we eventually rejected the car.

 

[SteveF1]

I've got the same problem. I got my manual A3 1.5TFSI S Line back at the start of March and after coming from an auto thought this issue was with me getting used to a manual. It wasn't. The car jerks when I pull away and lasts about 30 seconds before it seems to go away. It doesn't change regardless of whether it's in dynamic or efficiency mode.

It's been to Audi twice but their technicians says they couldn't find anything....really!?!?

It was in most of this week and had a software update which was supposed to resolve the issue but it's still there. Resigned myself to the fact it's a fault they will never fix.

I've read this is an issue caused by them trying to make the engine more efficient and not injecting enough fuel into the cylinders so it's effectively starved on startup and it's semi stalling. One thing that does seem to lessen the effect is using more throttle but it's not the proper fix we need.

 

[Audi1966]

Same on the Ed1 1.5 manual....... the problem for me is the change from 1st to 2nd gear.....maybe the engines are fixed but the gear ratio for the 2nd gear is set wrong!?....... when th ecar starts the rpm will obviously start at around 1500rpm, after around a minute it will drop back to 1000rpm....all systems charged, set and ready to go......the issue will still happen from the gear change!.......... One thing is for sure if you get a phone call from `Big Al` for a bankjob, then do not go in the A3!!...the ECU controls are not set in this model to be `quick`.....they are set for a cruise around town, with the odd trip down a `B` road....... the best thing about the new model is how `flat` it is around corners, beautiful balance........but the engine or gearbox on the manual is a bit `sluggish` on a pull a-way.....but its something I can live with.

 

[Jabba46]

“Miller cycle” engine. This concept was used on the 1.5 TSi and is fundamentally flawed. As far as I’m aware VAG will never fix the underlying mechanical problem and will only try and mask it as best they can with electronics.

 

[Bigjase88]

“Miller cycle” engine. This concept was used on the 1.5 TSi and is fundamentally flawed. As far as I’m aware VAG will never fix the underlying mechanical problem and will only try and mask it as best they can with electronics.

Correct

there is no true “fix”

but it is a horrible engine, lame and long geared, also sounds pants too. Offers zero driving joy thats for sure

 

[SteveF1]

Correct

there is no true “fix”

but it is a horrible engine, lame and long geared, also sounds pants too. Offers zero driving joy thats for sure

I've had a 30tdi S Line as a courtesy car all week, is a 2.0l with just 115bhp but felt like a more powerful engine than mine and sounded quite throaty when revved too. Made me wish I'd opted for the 35tdi now...

 

[Santiago]

“Miller cycle” engine. This concept was used on the 1.5 TSi and is fundamentally flawed. As far as I’m aware VAG will never fix the underlying mechanical problem and will only try and mask it as best they can with electronics.

It's a shame because the previous 1.4 tfsi was a beaut of an engine. I had one in a Golf GT. Responsive, quiet, and would happily cruise along at 50mph on 3 cylinders. As soon as the 1.5 came out, the reviews were bad.

 

[SteveF1]

It's a shame because the previous 1.4 tfsi was a beaut of an engine. I had one in a Golf GT. Responsive, quiet, and would happily cruise along at 50mph on 3 cylinders. As soon as the 1.5 came out, the reviews were bad.

In the 1.5s defence the engine is extremely smooth and quiet, since getting my car back I've had to check a few times that the engine was actually on or not! It's also not bad when you rev it hard, its just all the power is at the top end. It reminds me of the old Honda vtecs that were all rev and no torque, the difference with those were that they sounded great to rev and mated to amazingly smooth gearboxes. The 1.5 doesn't sound that great and the manual gearbox it's mated to, although pleasant enough is a bit notchy.

The 1.5 is also not as fuel efficient as I expected. I'm on low 30mpg most of the time. Down from 50mpg from my previous A180d.

 

[SamB2020]

I've had a 30tdi S Line as a courtesy car all week, is a 2.0l with just 115bhp but felt like a more powerful engine than mine and sounded quite throaty when revved too. Made me wish I'd opted for the 35tdi now...

I’ve a 30Tdi and the fuel economy is amazing, last car was a A3 tdi 150bhp and I’ve hardly noticed any lack of power. I was going to go back to petrol but the economy of the 1.5 tfsi I had on loan was poor.

 

[Bigjase88]

In the 1.5s defence the engine is extremely smooth and quiet, since getting my car back I've had to check a few times that the engine was actually on or not! It's also not bad when you rev it hard, its just all the power is at the top end. It reminds me of the old Honda vtecs that were all rev and no torque, the difference with those were that they sounded great to rev and mated to amazingly smooth gearboxes. The 1.5 doesn't sound that great and the manual gearbox it's mated to, although pleasant enough is a bit notchy.

The 1.5 is also not as fuel efficient as I expected. I'm on low 30mpg most of the time. Down from 50mpg from my previous A180d.

My long term avarage on a 1.5 tsi manual was 37mpg over 13k miles

not great

 

[AdamInKent]

My long term avarage on a 1.5 tsi manual was 37mpg over 13k miles

not great

I’m currently getting 42 mpg out of the 150bhp 1.5l petrol mated to an S-Tronic gearbox. This is for journeys of less than half an hour and taking it a little easy as I am still in the run-in period. I will be taking it for it’s first long motorway run at the weekend, so it’ll be interesting to see how well it cruises.

 

[SteveF1]

No doubt the auto manages fuel consumption better than I will be using a manual.

Low to mid 30s is the best I get round town. Motorway I might get mid 40s and I'm no boy racer.

 

[Bigjase88]

No doubt the auto manages fuel consumption better than I will be using a manual.

Low to mid 30s is the best I get round town. Motorway I might get mid 40s and I'm no boy racer.

Auto’s actually use more fuel so the manual should be slightly better

 

[SteveF1]

This was the case with old autos. Nowadays the autos are nearly always faster 0-60, have lower emissions and have better mpg.

Audi's own figures below for the 1.5tfsi

Manual

Auto

 

[AdamInKent]

This was the case with old autos. Nowadays the autos are nearly always faster 0-60, have lower emissions and have better mpg.

Auto’s actually use more fuel so the manual should be slightly better

The reason that auto boxes always used to be less economical than the equivalent manual cars was primarily because of the torque converters (a liquid coupling) that were used in place of a conventional clutch. Modern dual clutch automatics like the S-Stronic use dry clutches instead, so they don’t sap power in the same way. As a result they are usually more economical than manual boxes because they consistently select gears more economically than most drivers would (and, in the case of the new A3, it is paired with an MHEV system). .

Some cars, like the Mazda 3 or many automatic BMWs, still use torque converters, but even those are more economical than older “slush boxes” because they lock the torque converter up (to prevent it slipping) whenever possible. (But they are still not as economic as a dual clutch gearbox.)

 

[KXL]

Well unless you're the Stig, or the guy on Automann youtube channel, I don't see how manual cars can be faster than DSG cars. Also if I'm not mistaken, in the manual (for sure on 30TFSI, not sure on 35 TFSI), the 2nd gear redlines at around 60mph? I think in the DSGs, 3rd gear is required to get to 60mph? Which means the ratios of 1st to 3rd are closer together, also has a 7th.

 

[Audi1966]

On that subject of `jerking`....try using the MMI whilst this is happening......
One of the biggest failings in my opinion with this car, and it happens regardless.....is using the MMI whilst driving this car....they stick 19" rims on the thing, it does the best job it can to soften our UK roads, but does not eliminate the bumps, cambers, winding roads....because using the MMI in any situation `other than stationary! is simply dangerous to use...and if you try, 9/10 your finger just moves along with the bumps!!!...... biggest failing was to remove the jog wheel from this model...why cant we have both??!!!.....even on the higher spec s-line and above that has the larger 18-19" rims that will by default pick up more road movement..... the wheel is limited in its functions also in trying to control the MMI....if the central MMI is for the driver then make it safe, if its for everyone in the car then angle it away from the driver!!!.... My feeling is these chinese/korean/us screens are a cheap way of making you look like you have value for money, when in reality they do not serve any real purpose!...maybe even a gimmick!..

 

[SteveF1]

On that subject of `jerking`....try using the MMI whilst this is happening......
One of the biggest failings in my opinion with this car, and it happens regardless.....is using the MMI whilst driving this car....they stick 19" rims on the thing, it does the best job it can to soften our UK roads, but does not eliminate the bumps, cambers, winding roads....because using the MMI in any situation `other than stationary! is simply dangerous to use...and if you try, 9/10 your finger just moves along with the bumps!!!...... biggest failing was to remove the jog wheel from this model...why cant we have both??!!!.....even on the higher spec s-line and above that has the larger 18-19" rims that will by default pick up more road movement..... the wheel is limited in its functions also in trying to control the MMI....if the central MMI is for the driver then make it safe, if its for everyone in the car then angle it away from the driver!!!.... My feeling is these chinese/korean/us screens are a cheap way of making you look like you have value for money, when in reality they do not serve any real purpose!...maybe even a gimmick!..

The biggest thing I miss from my 2019 A Class is the trackpad which I controlled the MBUX with. It was intuitive, accurate and I could do most things whilst keeping my eye on the road. I actually think touch screen only operation is dangerous and shows regression in design and functionality but is falsely sold as progression. It's not, it's just cost cutting by the back door.

 

[DreamInCode]

The biggest thing I miss from my 2019 A Class is the trackpad which I controlled the MBUX with. It was intuitive, accurate and I could do most things whilst keeping my eye on the road. I actually think touch screen only operation is dangerous and shows regression in design and functionality but is falsely sold as progression. It's not, it's just cost cutting by the back door.

I second that. I really liked the fact that MBUX could be operated in 3 ways - using the little touch/swipe pad on the steering, the track pad and then by directly touching the screen. While I had my merc almost never used it by touching, kept the screen pristine from all the finger grubs & smudges

 

[AdamInKent]

One of the biggest failings in my opinion with this car, and it happens regardless.....is using the MMI whilst driving this car....

I find that most things that I would want to do on the MMI whilst driving can be done using the steering wheel mounted controls or voice control (or waiting until I’m on a smooth and straight stretch of road). It’s also worth noting that jog wheels aren’t the best interface for Apple and Android CarPlay. But removal of the jog wheel was probably done to remove cost from an already pretty expensive car.

 

[AdamInKent]

I think in the DSGs, 3rd gear is required to get to 60mph? Which means the ratios of 1st to 3rd are closer together, also has a 7th.

I’m guessing that 1st gear in the S-Stronic is a primarily an additional crawler gear to reduce wear on the “odd” clutch at slow speeds.

 

[SteveF1]

I find that most things that I would want to do on the MMI whilst driving can be done using the steering wheel mounted controls or voice control (or waiting until I’m on a smooth and straight stretch of road). It’s also worth noting that jog wheels aren’t the best interface for Apple and Android CarPlay. But removal of the jog wheel was probably done to remove cost from an already pretty expensive car.

I suppose there are other options to operate the MMI but it is rather limited. I was shocked coming from using MBUX as to how far behind Audi's infotainment is. The voice activation is a generation behind and you can't operate half the things you can on the Merc. The graphics on the MMI are rather dark and bland in comparison and the processor doesn't seem as snappy either. The favourite button is also limited in function and the screen freezes and logs me out far too often.

There are so many other things about the A3 that are better than the A Class but infotainment and it's operation are not one of them.

 

[figolovechild]

I can’t believe how bad my fuel consumption is on my 1.5 edition 1. I came from a BMW M140 which has a 3 litre lump in it and I get the same fuel consumption as that! I also had the 1.4tfsi before that so expected this 1.5 to be similar - I cant believe the difference. The 1.4 was a cracking engine. Im Pretty gutted to be honest

 

[Henno005]

I can’t believe how bad my fuel consumption is on my 1.5 edition 1. I came from a BMW M140 which has a 3 litre lump in it and I get the same fuel consumption as that! I also had the 1.4tfsi before that so expected this 1.5 to be similar - I cant believe the difference. The 1.4 was a cracking engine. Im Pretty gutted to be honest

I cant believe how bad the economy on short journeys round town, the economy is terrible even when running on only 2 cylinders. However, on a long drive it does live up to the claimed figures.

Regards to the jerking ive noticed its when its cold on mine when at low RPM in 1 and 2nd gear. If you stay in 1st till about 3500 rpm it pretty much goes straight away and behaves how youd expect it too

 

[SteveF1]

It's most noticeable when you want to slowly and gently pull away from startup and lasts for a few minutes before dying off.

If you pull away like a stabbed rat then you don't tend to notice it. The software update that allegedly resolves this issue quite frankly doesn't, it merely takes the edge off.

Regarding the fuel economy, it's not great. Daily town driving I've been getting around 30mpg, motorway is much better getting between 50-60mpg.

 

[figolovechild]

I cant believe how bad the economy on short journeys round town, the economy is terrible even when running on only 2 cylinders. However, on a long drive it does live up to the claimed figures.

Regards to the jerking ive noticed its when its cold on mine when at low RPM in 1 and 2nd gear. If you stay in 1st till about 3500 rpm it pretty much goes straight away and behaves how youd expect

I found that the car is very difficult to control from a standing start. Like I was struggling to find the biting point. To negate this issue, I changed the driving mode to Auto and since then the car has been so much easier to drive. Pulling away in 1st is smoother…not perfect but a big improvement.

 

[DreamInCode]

From standing start, it's a little jerky when releasing the parking brake automatically.
If I release the parking brake manually and release the foot brake, the car starts to roll very smoothly forward.
Also very smooth between all gears shifting up/down (STronic).

 

[SteveF1]

I think the vast majority of those affected by this issue have the manual, the auto rev matches better and therefore minimises or illiminates the problem.

 

[AdamInKent]

I think the vast majority of those affected by this issue have the manual, the auto rev matches better and therefore minimises or illiminates the problem.

Or perhaps because the auto has a higher ratio first gear (with its 7 speed gearbox)?

 

[SteveF1]

It could also have something to do with the engines ACT (active cylinder technology) as this is the biggest difference between the 1.5 Evo and the old 1.4 TFSI which was well loved. I'd assume that on startup/ low revs the engine automatically defaults to 2 cylinders and when cold it's not particularly smooth in this 'efficiency' mode.

 

[AdamInKent]

It could also have something to do with the engines ACT (active cylinder technology) as this is the biggest difference between the 1.5 Evo and the old 1.4 TFSI which was well loved. I'd assume that on startup/ low revs the engine automatically defaults to 2 cylinders and when cold it's not particularly smooth in this 'efficiency' mode.

IIRC it’s possible to see when the car is in two cylinder mode in one of the virtual cockpit displays?

 

[AdamInKent]

IIRC it’s possible to see when the car is in two cylinder mode in one of the virtual cockpit displays?

Thinking further, I’d be surprised if the car uses two cylinder mode when cold. For efficiency reasons, the engine needs to get up to operating temperature as fast as possible and this is done by firing all four cylinders.

 

[AdamInKent]

Thinking further, I’d be surprised if the car uses two cylinder mode when cold. For efficiency reasons, the engine needs to get up to operating temperature as fast as possible and this is done by firing all four cylinders.

It turns out that I am surprised! I drove the car this morning and it went into 2 cylinder mode within a minute or two of starting. (The instantaneous mpg bar went green for short periods.)

 

[SteveF1]

ACT is/should be activated depending on power demand. My assumption would be 2 cylinder mode should kick in when idling and stay there until a certain rev/power demand is made. I'd assume it is more likely to kick in whilst in efficiency mode on the drive select rather than comfort or dynamic.

Where and what indication light do you get when it's running on 2 cylinders?

 

[SteveF1]

Just found this from VW...what rpm does the 1.5 idle at as if it's less than 1400rpm technically it shouldn't be on.

 

[JohnM100]

RPM too low at idle for 2 cylinder mode - engine would be lumpy at that speed, hence it only works 1400+ and with light load.