Just got brand new 2012 Ice Silver [with pic]; one strange issue with the driving

[S4Android]

Hey guys, first post.

I just got this car and I absolutely love it. The silver with the 19 inch rims look fantastic IMO (despite all the hate it gets). However, it seems like when I am cruising, meaning foot off the gas, the car "brakes" a little bit and then resumes at a slightly lower speed. The "braking" is very noticeable. Maybe it is changing gears? I don't know whether this is because of the dual-clutch or what. It seems like this only happens when I am going at slow speeds, such as driving in the parking lot. Also, it does this every time I am going at a slow speed; it does not happen only sometimes. I did a search on this and did not find too much. I have the sports rear differential and it is the automatic.

Is this normal at low speeds? Are you guys experiencing this too? I talked to a buddy of mine who doesn't have the sports rear differential and he says he does not experience it.

Thanks a lot guys

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5199/34967814.jpg
By navyblue1007 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/navyblue1007) at 2011-08-14

[DATZ]

Engine braking. Normal.

[williamr91]

OP where about in the mit are you? Oh and nice car I guess[:p]

[Pworld]

That silver looks soooooooo clean and classy. Too bad i can't live with the same color car twice or i would have ordered it.

And like somebody says, sounds kind of like engine braking, or like on a manual car with u left off the gas in first gear, it can sort brake or be jumpy if you are not smooth on and off the throttle.

[Brian@AudiMV]

My guess is that when you're at low speeds, the car is in 1st gear, causing the engine braking. Once you get down slow enough, it pops the car out of gear and into neutral to prevent it from stalling since it is, in fact, a manual transmission design. What you're feeling is what you would feel depressing the clutch pedal in a stick-shift car at low speeds.

I haven't noticed it in mine, but I'll feel it popping in and out of gear at low speeds like traffic!

[DrRodge]

Also, if you have the ADS and it's set to Dynamic mode, it will down shift readily at low speeds.

[S4Android]

williamr91: The picture was taken on telegraph and 12 mile. where are you?

So basically, this "braking" is actually downshifting of gears since the dual-clutch is essentially an automatic manual transmission. My ADS is set to auto for everything. I will try out dynamic later.

Thanks for the responses everybody!

[roho3323]

Hey guys, first post.

I just got this car and I absolutely love it. The silver with the 19 inch rims look fantastic IMO (despite all the hate it gets). However, it seems like when I am cruising, meaning foot off the gas, the car "brakes" a little bit and then resumes at a slightly lower speed. The "braking" is very noticeable. Maybe it is changing gears? I don't know whether this is because of the dual-clutch or what. It seems like this only happens when I am going at slow speeds, such as driving in the parking lot. Also, it does this every time I am going at a slow speed; it does not happen only sometimes. I did a search on this and did not find too much. I have the sports rear differential and it is the automatic.

Is this normal at low speeds? Are you guys experiencing this too? I talked to a buddy of mine who doesn't have the sports rear differential and he says he does not experience it.


Hating on Ice Silver S4's? Is that common? I think Audis' Ice Silver is an amazing color...looks great on the S4!

[S4Android]

roho3323: Yeah apparently some people seem to think the silver is too bland haha. I think it looks much better in person

[phillips2024]

silver is a good color. easy to keep looking clean

congrats on the new car

[jlarke]

williamr91: The picture was taken on telegraph and 12 mile. where are you?

So basically, this "braking" is actually downshifting of gears since the dual-clutch is essentially an automatic manual transmission. My ADS is set to auto for everything. I will try out dynamic later.

Thanks for the responses everybody!

Heh, I looked at that picture and thought "that looks like the parking lot at Tel-Twelve." I live near Ann Arbor now but I grew up near Lahser & Maple.

[roho3323]

Wow... three from Michigan on the same thread... I live in Rochester Hills...my S4 on order (Oct.31).

[showcarmike]

love the Ice Silver...

and yes, the engine braking in complety normal.

[Stereodude]

Tel-Twelve is a great place to have your car stolen from...

[Pworld]

Wow you 313/248 guys are giving me flashbacks of my days hiding out in sterling heights/troy/southfield for a little period of time.

[S4Android]

Holy crap!!!! So many people from southeast Michigan. The thing is i almost never see S4's around...

[jran76]

I just got my 2012 with the same options (sport diff and DSG), and noticed the same thing this weekend while in stop-and-go traffic. It seemed very jerky when engine braking, downshifting, and going to neutral at low speeds (staying between 0-10-0 MPH). There were some pretty loud clunks and the car seemed to lurch forward when this happened at times. I am assuming it is normal, but I thought it was overly "clunky" if that is a word. It is really my only complaint, but my last 3-4 cars were all manuals so maybe it is just something to get used to. I was a little surprised because the VW CC I drove with the DSG was much smoother at low speeds. Overall, I can live with it, but I wish it was smoother....

[Pworld]

If you read around some people have claimed the Tune (APR/Stasis) Smooths these symptoms out. Just food for thought if any of you are planning on that route.

[jran76]

If you read around some people have claimed the Tune (APR/Stasis) Smooths these symptoms out. Just food for thought if any of you are planning on that route.

Interesting. I am planning on an APR tune in the next 6 months (want to make sure everything is in working order first), so that is good to know. Like I said, not a huge deal, but just more of a surprise. If could live with my average (at best) manual transmission driving skills for the past 20 years, I can live with this....

[dreaddontdie]

The DSG will take some time to get used to you, but more importantly, it will take YOU time to adjust to the DSG. For example, when pressing the throttle AND you feel the DSG "between gears", you learn to ease on it lightly instead of mashing the throttle to force the car past the hesitation.

Most importantly, if you understand that it is still a manual at heart, you and the DSG will adapt over time. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. :)

[Stereodude]

Wow you 313/248 guys are giving me flashbacks of my days hiding out in sterling heights/troy/southfield for a little period of time.We've got way more area codes now too. 734, 586, 947 etc...

[Stereodude]

Holy crap!!!! So many people from southeast Michigan. The thing is i almost never see S4's around...I've seen a B8 S4 once or twice on Telegraph or on Big Beaver in Troy, but they're pretty uncommon. I don't have one myself (yet?). It's what I really want for my next car, but I'm not 100% sure the budget is going to come together in time. [:(]

[Charlescrs6]

Why do I feel like I never see an silver B8 S4s? That thing looks awesome!

[imolar]

Hating on Ice Silver S4's? Is that common? I think Audis' Ice Silver is an amazing color...looks great on the S4!

I took it as the hate being directed toward the 19" peeler wheels and not the color. But I've been wrong a bunch already today[;)]

I think the combo looks great! Grats.

[Pworld]

We've got way more area codes now too. 734, 586, 947 etc...

Ahh yes, forgot about 586. It's been 8 years since the cold winters of michigan lol. Glad to see Audi guys out there. When i stayed out there, coming from L.A. i would get excited seeing anything non American.

[S4Android]

I just got my 2012 with the same options (sport diff and DSG), and noticed the same thing this weekend while in stop-and-go traffic. It seemed very jerky when engine braking, downshifting, and going to neutral at low speeds (staying between 0-10-0 MPH). There were some pretty loud clunks and the car seemed to lurch forward when this happened at times. I am assuming it is normal, but I thought it was overly "clunky" if that is a word. It is really my only complaint, but my last 3-4 cars were all manuals so maybe it is just something to get used to. I was a little surprised because the VW CC I drove with the DSG was much smoother at low speeds. Overall, I can live with it, but I wish it was smoother....

I feel the exact same way. I thought there was something wrong with my car at first. It's pretty much the only thing i wish were better about the car =/

[S4Android]

I've seen a B8 S4 once or twice on Telegraph or on Big Beaver in Troy, but they're pretty uncommon. I don't have one myself (yet?). It's what I really want for my next car, but I'm not 100% sure the budget is going to come together in time. [:(]

I've seen a white S4 on big beaver. Is that the one you saw?

[omegax]

Wow what a beauty! Enjoy.

[tgoss]

Car looks incredible. Love silver!! Brilliant silver on my Merc was the most beautiful color of any car I've owned, looks just as nice on the B8.

[Stereodude]

I've seen a white S4 on big beaver. Is that the one you saw?I've seen a white one and a imola yellow one around.

[S4Android]

thank you everyone for the compliments!

[NWS4Guy]

The DSG will take some time to get used to you, but more importantly, it will take YOU time to adjust to the DSG. For example, when pressing the throttle AND you feel the DSG "between gears", you learn to ease on it lightly instead of mashing the throttle to force the car past the hesitation.

Most importantly, if you understand that it is still a manual at heart, you and the DSG will adapt over time. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. :)

I don't think I am following you here - are you suggesting to lift as it's changing gears?[confused] That will cause horrible shifting, the best way to drive the DSG is like a manual, never lift unless you need to slow down or coast.

[Ynnekdude]

I don't think I am following you here - are you suggesting to lift as it's changing gears?[confused] That will cause horrible shifting, the best way to drive the DSG is like a manual, never lift unless you need to slow down or coast.

So did you just powershift every manual you have ever driven? [:p]

[NWS4Guy]

Yea, the clutch can take it in a manual!

[Kandiru]

My 2012 6MT rear differential car will clunk once or twice esp when backing up or parking lot driving over
speed bumps at 5 mph or so. Is it really the clutch plate?

I got alarmed, should i worry?