koder
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Yep we've both had this discussion before, but I have the same spec and model as @Muttley75 so it was aimed at him. I've changed my post above 
Stop/start with S-Tronic
- Thread starter Muttley75
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Scottyg
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I can understand issues with SS in an S3. SS is used to lower emissions and reduce mpg in an artificial testing environment. In the really world buying an S3 is done because you like the power and handling. I can see SS getting in the way.
In the A3 it helps me to achieve 55+ mpg in normal town and extra urban driving.
In the A3 it helps me to achieve 55+ mpg in normal town and extra urban driving.
Muttley75
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There's nothing wrong with SS per se, the problem is that it kicks in too eagerly. Instead of stopping the engine 3 seconds after pressing the brake it should be at least 15 seconds otherwise its just a total nuisance.
Start stop is great for reducing emissions. Not necessarily designed with engine longevity in mind..
The two worst features on a S3 in terms of non-mechanical sympathy, are
Start Stop
Hold Assist
From another post:
"......... there is an electrical coolant pump in circuit when the engine is switched off. Also, part of the oil system is also governed by an electric oil pump, though this is more in the piston cooling oil spray nozzles. HOWEVER - with my personal car - after a high speed run, or a very energetic drive, I do a "cool down" drive of about 3 to 4 mins just to calm everything down, then switch off S/S especially if I'm idling immediately after the run, just to let the engine tick over for a minute or so."
BUT
Although it does circulate coolant after you've switched off, you are still going to get a tremendous amount of heat soak building up rapidly from a stinking hot, non-moving engine.
So - although whilst not strictly necessary to do a few miles of "cool-down" (this is the best way rather than stationary with the engine ticking over) - it is good practice to do so, as this will be kinder in terms of thermal management in reducing the heat soak from a hot engine. Doing a cool down run also helps with reducing the engine bay temps and temps in other components, e.g.; brakes etc.
If I've been doing a sustained "high speed" blast on the motorway - then pull into the services and stop - the last thing I want it to do is to cut out the engine when its stinking hot - so in this instance, I will disable S/S.
Overall, if you've been driving hard, it is still good practice to do a few minutes of "cool down" for the sake of all the components (both inside and outside the engine bay).
And switch Hold Assist Off. The last thing you want to do is to sit stationary with stinking hot brakes, pads clamped against the discs.
The two worst features on a S3 in terms of non-mechanical sympathy, are
Start Stop
Hold Assist
From another post:
"......... there is an electrical coolant pump in circuit when the engine is switched off. Also, part of the oil system is also governed by an electric oil pump, though this is more in the piston cooling oil spray nozzles. HOWEVER - with my personal car - after a high speed run, or a very energetic drive, I do a "cool down" drive of about 3 to 4 mins just to calm everything down, then switch off S/S especially if I'm idling immediately after the run, just to let the engine tick over for a minute or so."
BUT
Although it does circulate coolant after you've switched off, you are still going to get a tremendous amount of heat soak building up rapidly from a stinking hot, non-moving engine.
So - although whilst not strictly necessary to do a few miles of "cool-down" (this is the best way rather than stationary with the engine ticking over) - it is good practice to do so, as this will be kinder in terms of thermal management in reducing the heat soak from a hot engine. Doing a cool down run also helps with reducing the engine bay temps and temps in other components, e.g.; brakes etc.
If I've been doing a sustained "high speed" blast on the motorway - then pull into the services and stop - the last thing I want it to do is to cut out the engine when its stinking hot - so in this instance, I will disable S/S.
Overall, if you've been driving hard, it is still good practice to do a few minutes of "cool down" for the sake of all the components (both inside and outside the engine bay).
And switch Hold Assist Off. The last thing you want to do is to sit stationary with stinking hot brakes, pads clamped against the discs.
Scottyg
Registered User
It's pretty instant on my A3. Unless you go with the light right foot on the break and it doesn't kick in. I've also noticed that the 'creep forward' in my A3 is a little hesitant compared to other autos I've driven.
Yes, that is because it has a "real" (or two real) clutch(es).
Traditional autos have fluid torque converters, DSG (or S-tronic) has 2 clutch packs, and you will have a slight hesitation as it takes up the mechanical clutch. It's even worse in certain situations if you have Hold Assist, jerky and lurchy take-offs can be very annoying.
Traditional autos have fluid torque converters, DSG (or S-tronic) has 2 clutch packs, and you will have a slight hesitation as it takes up the mechanical clutch. It's even worse in certain situations if you have Hold Assist, jerky and lurchy take-offs can be very annoying.
Scottyg
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Didn't tick the hold assist box. Seems I made the correct choice. Don't get me wrong it's still the best and smoothest auto on the market just now and I love it in every other way. Although BM,Jag,RangeRover and Jeep have all introduced 8 and 9 speed autos. Never driven them, you?
Yes, the ZF 9HP boxes are sublime.
(ZF 8HP box is pretty good too, used in R-R Motor Cars, some BMW owners report jerkiness)
Sometimes, my Audi 6-sp DSG box will argue with me. For example, on a multi storey car park up-ramp, it will try and go up it in D2. At 3mph, I request a down shift do D1 via left paddle, it will refuse to give it to me. Only when I push the lever over into M, and pull the lever back, will it oblige and give me M1.
It also likes to take off from D2 from a rolling creep, which at roundabouts trying to make a quick getaway, isn't ideal.
(ZF 8HP box is pretty good too, used in R-R Motor Cars, some BMW owners report jerkiness)
Sometimes, my Audi 6-sp DSG box will argue with me. For example, on a multi storey car park up-ramp, it will try and go up it in D2. At 3mph, I request a down shift do D1 via left paddle, it will refuse to give it to me. Only when I push the lever over into M, and pull the lever back, will it oblige and give me M1.
It also likes to take off from D2 from a rolling creep, which at roundabouts trying to make a quick getaway, isn't ideal.
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Scottyg
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I think the engine wear thing is debatable, but it always used to be good practice to let cars with turbos idle before switching off. I don't like start/stop so I always disable it. I also always let my S3 idle for a minute or two at the end of a journey as it makes me feel better, regardless of how I've been driving.
Muttley75
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So how do you switch off SS for just one trip? Someone said there is a button on the dash, but there isn't so far as I can see from photos online. In the mk7 Golf there's a button next to the gear stick to toggle it off/on.
Since it kicked in and made me wonder what on earth is happening when parking at the station last month (stop start stopped the engine then started back up when selecting reverse with foot on the brake) I've now deployed the VCDS voltage mod to disable it.
As has been said I think in the right driving conditions it's a good thing but it doesn't suit my journeys at all well especially when using the wife's family wagon at the weekends then jumping back in mine. Also with S-tronic at roundabouts it can be a PITA.
As has been said I think in the right driving conditions it's a good thing but it doesn't suit my journeys at all well especially when using the wife's family wagon at the weekends then jumping back in mine. Also with S-tronic at roundabouts it can be a PITA.
If you think the A3/S3 S/S kicks in to fast don't go anywhere near an RS3, it kicks in before you have actually stopped!!
Very annoying when you are creeping into a space and the engine cuts so you lift the brake to re-start, then have to wait for the clutch pack and then jam the brakes on again as it lurches forward (remember you're only about 6 inches away from where you were trying to stop in the first place!!)...Grrrrrr.....
Very annoying when you are creeping into a space and the engine cuts so you lift the brake to re-start, then have to wait for the clutch pack and then jam the brakes on again as it lurches forward (remember you're only about 6 inches away from where you were trying to stop in the first place!!)...Grrrrrr.....
^ and then combine all that with Hold Assist whilst reversing up an incline, and you might as well give up !!!
Oh great, it sounds like the S/S behaviour is now modified for the RS3.
Let's hope it isn't copied across to all future models, otherwise it really will be unbearable.
My wife has a manual 1.6TDI A1 at the moment as is quite happy with the S/S. Over the last week or so she has been test driving both a 1.0-95bhp A1 with s-tronic and a 1.2 (90bhp) Polo with DSG and she did not like the S/S on either and so we switched it off. She has now decided to order a new 1.2 Polo and I will be looking to switch the S/S off permanently in the same way I have on my A3.
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Oh great, it sounds like the S/S behaviour is now modified for the RS3.
Let's hope it isn't copied across to all future models, otherwise it really will be unbearable.
Ha ha apparently it works now! In fairness the stop/start on my new VW is way better, definitely seems more intelligent, if its the same system it will be fine!
Otherwise you may have to consider overtaking everything in front of you
& creeping through red lights **Not recommended**
Blackwhite
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^ and then combine all that with Hold Assist whilst reversing up an incline, and you might as well give up !!!
