DSG Issues - Vote On Climate/Traffic/Problem

[SwankPeRFection]

This thread is in link to my other thread about Audi/VW issuing a recall in Asia due to hot/humid climates as well as traffic conditions. Please cast your vote for your climate, traffic conditions and if you have or haven't had any issues yet. All years of S4 DSG equipped cars are welcome to vote.


For all of you who can't figure out what Hot/Normal Climate means or what Heavy/Light traffic means. [rolleyes]

If you live somewhere where it get stupid hot in the summers, you're in a hot climate. California, Texas, Florida, etc. If you live in Main or one of the other states where it's not quite as bad, it's probably a normal climate.

Same thing goes for traffic. If you normally drive gridlocked downtown areas or highways where it takes you hours to drive 10 miles to work, it's heavy traffic. If you're driving in areas where it's steady cruising and normal lights you hit on the road, but can easily get everywhere, it's normal traffic.


This isn't rocket science people.

[SwankPeRFection]

Also, obviously, this should cover both historic and current issues for you guys with your cars or a previous B8 or B8.5 S4. Don't put the blinders on just because your current situation is trouble free.

[Skidrowe]

I can't decide which option to select with my 6MT.

-Skid

[BirdmanQ5]

I can't decide which option to select with my 6MT.

-Skid

That's ok Skid, we can't hear you over the sound of our DSG fart [:D]

[Skidrowe]

That's ok Skid, we can't hear you over the sound of our DSG fart [:D]

Touché [drive]

-Skid

[SwankPeRFection]

If you vote, also denote in a post here what year S4 you have. I probably should have included years in there and thought about it, but then the poll would have been too long. Apparently it's already too complicated now for 6MT people. [:p]

[SwankPeRFection]

So only 3 have DSG issues so far. Why do I find that hard to believe... lol

[s4buckeye]

So only 3 have DSG issues so far. Why do I find that hard to believe... lol

It is likely that few people are responding because the parameters you have used are silly and vague. What does "hot climate" as opposed to "normal climate" actually mean? "Light" vs. "heavy" traffic? Really?

Aside from that, DSG issues have been generally beaten to death in the four years prior to your arrival on AZ one week ago (regardless of the different recalled DSG units in Asia), and when coupled with your uncanny tendency to attack anyone that even remotely questions your "facts" on any topic, it is quite surprising that anyone responded at all.

Go ahead, unleash some more of your hostility and "knowledge" in response.

[jedirocker]

It is likely that few people are responding because the parameters you have used are silly and vague. What does "hot climate" as opposed to "normal climate" actually mean? "Light" vs. "heavy" traffic? Really?

I agree that some definitions/parameters should accompany the survey. Selecting hot climate was a no-brainer for my poor little urban Texas car.

[Drew855]

Normal Climate/Heavy Traffic – DSG Problems

2011. Mechatronics failed and replaced at 32K. For the most part trouble free since replacement.

[RickFLS4]

Hot and humid climate (S. Fla) voted light traffic, because most driving is Turnpike and suburbs where I live. However, I frequently drive to Miami, which is a good definition for heavy traffic any time of any day on almost any road.

2013 that I have had for a year and 18K miles. Stock. No Mechatronics or other DSG issues to report and hope it stays that way.

I should note I don't consider some of the shifting (e.g. 2nd to 1st) to be a problem. I think it is the nature of a DSG vs. a "regular" automatic that requires a period of acclimation if you never drove one.

[MailmanOdd]

Mechatronics failed in hot weather while city driving in Baltimore. Accelerated from a stop, car lurched, mechatronics went POOP.

[SwankPeRFection]

It is likely that few people are responding because the parameters you have used are silly and vague. What does "hot climate" as opposed to "normal climate" actually mean? "Light" vs. "heavy" traffic? Really?

Aside from that, DSG issues have been generally beaten to death in the four years prior to your arrival on AZ one week ago (regardless of the different recalled DSG units in Asia), and when coupled with your uncanny tendency to attack anyone that even remotely questions your "facts" on any topic, it is quite surprising that anyone responded at all.

Go ahead, unleash some more of your hostility and "knowledge" in response.

Are you effing stupid or something!? How much hand holding do you want me to do for you? Should I have posted in crayon for you?

Perhaps you wanted me to specify latitudinal regions in relation to the equator? Come on man!!! If you're in the north, you pretty much know it's not going to get very hot, even in the summers. If you live in California, one of the southerns states like Texas or Florida where it gets stupid hot, you're in a hot climate. I never said it need to be year round, but if you're stuck in bumper to bumper hot ass summer traffic in Atlanta or in California during rush hour and your shit as DSG box starts acting up, guess what?! You're in a hot climate with heavy traffic.

Does that explain it clearly enough for you or do I need try and draw pictures too?

[s4buckeye]

Are you effing stupid or something!? How much hand holding do you want me to do for you? Should I have posted in crayon for you?

Perhaps you wanted me to specify latitudinal regions in relation to the equator? Come on man!!! If you're in the north, you pretty much know it's not going to get very hot, even in the summers. If you live in California, one of the southerns states like Texas or Florida where it gets stupid hot, you're in a hot climate. I never said it need to be year round, but if you're stuck in bumper to bumper hot ass summer traffic in Atlanta or in California during rush hour and your shit as DSG box starts acting up, guess what?! You're in a hot climate with heavy traffic.

Does that explain it clearly enough for you or do I need try and draw pictures too?

Exactly the type of response that was expected. You are a true credit to AZ.

[SwankPeRFection]

Exactly the type of response that was expected. You are a true credit to AZ.

I'm sorry dude, but you seriously annoy me sometimes and I'm sure I'm not alone on this. Everyone else I'm sure can make sense of it without being dumbfounded, especially if they read the other thread about the DSG Recall that Audi did in Asia, since this thread is in correlation to that one. The fact that you found it necessary to come in and post your smart ass remark pretty much warranted my type of response to it.

[s4buckeye]

I'm sorry dude, but you seriously annoy me sometimes and I'm sure I'm not alone on this. Everyone else I'm sure can make sense of it without being dumbfounded, especially if they read the other thread about the DSG Recall that Audi did in Asia, since this thread is in correlation to that one. The fact that you found it necessary to come in and post your smart ass remark pretty much warranted my type of response to it.

Yeah man, you are right. Factoring together your screen name (which sums it up as far as how you roll), the fact that you have gotten into it with someone (whether it be vendors, members, manufacturers and just about anyone for that matter - mostly on completely wrong information coming from you) in EVERY thread you have posted to in just over a week, your ridiculously half-baked posts, the over the top responses to anyone on anything and your general lack of common sense it is clear why your parents must be so proud of you.

Stay classy!

[SwankPeRFection]

^^^ Don't pretend to know who I am or how old I am and don't talk about my parents like you know them either or know what they think. If you want to remain classy, then realize that you yourself are just as much an asshole as I am... otherwise, why would you keep harping on stuff just to get the last word in. Let's agree to disagree and you just need to move on and let others post the info I've asked for.

[s4buckeye]

^^^ Don't pretend to know who I am or how old I am and don't talk about my parents like you know them either or know what they think. If you want to remain classy, then realize that you yourself are just as much an asshole as I am... otherwise, why would you keep harping on stuff just to get the last word in. Let's agree to disagree and you just need to move on and let others post the info I've asked for.

Now, now. Don't try and act reasonable only when being called out.

You may simply want to rethink your whole approach to how you present your info on AZ, as it so far in just 7 short days has not worked out in your favor. I am sure you have something to offer in the way of experience, knowledge and opinion, but when it all coated in a thick film of bitterness it is hard to read, let alone accept.

[SwankPeRFection]

^^^ Correction... coated in a thick film of retaliation. Get it right. Don't step on my toes and I won't kick you in your shin. Mmkay?

BTW, the mods will be in here in a bit to clean up the unnecessary posts from both you and I. Thanks for playing.

[s4buckeye]

Truly sad.

Sigh....

[SwankPeRFection]

I'm sorry you feel dad... it'll get better. [:p]

[Amorphic]

^^^ Correction... coated in a thick film of retaliation. Get it right. Don't step on my toes and I won't kick you in your shin. Mmkay?

BTW, the mods will be in here in a bit to clean up the unnecessary posts from both you and I. Thanks for playing.

s4buckeye has a point. I dont normally comment on stupid things like this but a lot of your posts have been arrogant/rude etc.

That being said, its the internet, everyone is a keyboard cowboy these days. Chill out.

[Gotchaa]

s4buckeye has a point. I dont normally comment on stupid things like this but a lot of your posts have been arrogant/rude etc.

That being said, its the internet, everyone is a keyboard cowboy these days. Chill out.

+1

[VeryBadman]

Okay, I will tell you about mine then.

Bay Area CA, hot climate, f'ing heavy traffic, no issue whatsoever in a year and 3 month.

Moreover, I have 2 cars and both are DSG from VW franchise and no issue at all.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[punch455]

I guess I don't really see the point of the poll being related to where you live. I mean, I'm in a northern Mid-West city that doesn't really fit into a "stupid-hot" category, but it can get very very hot here at times. A poll for this type of topic isn't going to persuade/disuade someone from purchasing the car, or if they already own one, a warm and cozy feeling at night about whether or not this problem is going to happen to them.

Maybe the poll would have been better served if it asked under what type of conditions the DSG acted up, if it acted up at all.

That being said, mine (2010 MY with 10k miles) acted up when the car was warmed up. High ambient temps made the problems worse. Hard 2-1 downshift when coming to a stop, and a very harsh 1-2 upshift. Add to that a severe lurch/shudder on clutch engagement when lightly applying throttle from a stop (forward or reverse). Dealership confirmed the symptoms, and promptly replaced the mech unit. No real complaints since then (now 15k miles), however, these units seem to be a bit jerky even when they're working correctly, if that makes sense.

[SwankPeRFection]

I guess I don't really see the point of the poll being related to where you live. I mean, I'm in a northern Mid-West city that doesn't really fit into a "stupid-hot" category, but it can get very very hot here at times. A poll for this type of topic isn't going to persuade/disuade someone from purchasing the car, or if they already own one, a warm and cozy feeling at night about whether or not this problem is going to happen to them.

Maybe the poll would have been better served if it asked under what type of conditions the DSG acted up, if it acted up at all.

That being said, mine (2010 MY with 10k miles) acted up when the car was warmed up. High ambient temps made the problems worse. Hard 2-1 downshift when coming to a stop, and a very harsh 1-2 upshift. Add to that a severe lurch/shudder on clutch engagement when lightly applying throttle from a stop (forward or reverse). Dealership confirmed the symptoms, and promptly replaced the mech unit. No real complaints since then (now 15k miles), however, these units seem to be a bit jerky even when they're working correctly, if that makes sense.

Right and what you're stating by what you just said is that hot conditions were the initial cause of this and along with that came the fact that the first mech units in the 2010's had issues with their logic boards getting too hot to behave properly and when that happened, the mech units would malfunction. The new mechs were redesigned to help alleviate this, but high temps can still cause issues as seen by some people who have 2011-2013 models as well, so it's not 100% solved. It's just poor design from Audi's standpoint of putting a circuit board into a hot soup of tranny fluid. You'd think they would have learned by now, but they haven't. Electronic circuits are designed to work within a set environment of too cold or too hot. Go beyond those parameters and unexpected issues can happen with their processing. Audi simply didn't leave enough head room in the design to make up for the fact that some owners may be in hotter climates or conditions that can cause the tranny to overheat and inturn harm the electronics inside them. The problem isn't or was ever the mech unit itself, but rather the electronics on the back of the mech unit... but since that's all one unit and it's all INSIDE the tranny and covered in hot ass fluid all the time, Audi goofed up. The fact that they changed from metal to plastic for the mech logic board housings should tell you something. They should have also gone the extra mile and probably added more non-heat transferring material to the inner design as well, but they may not have done that since manufacturers usually have to some up with quick solutions to an immediate problem and they don't usually do that AND go above and beyond and improve the design for future problems. That usually comes in the form of R&D for the next version of the design in the next model due to come out. They bandaid now and redesign later. All they have to make sure happens is that the unit functions trouble free until the warranty is up. After that, it's your problem... unless a Class Action lawsuit exposes their bullshit designs and forces them to pay up and cover everyone by increasing the millage warranties and reimburses people for their out of pocket repairs.

[punch455]

Ah, who really knows other than Audi Engineers dealing directly with that unit. I've heard that the problem was directly associated with a bushing on the 1-2 accumulator that would swell up/dislodge under high temps, leaking fluid around the valve and causing it to hang.. I've heard what you stated.. I've heard that software updates and clutch replacements are the answer..
Basically, it doesn't really matter what the direct cause is, as the consumer. Cars are going to have problems. Humans engineer and build these amazing things, and no one expects (or should expect) completely problem free technology. What irked me at the time was the service guy acted like I was the first person in history to mention a problem with the DSG. He couldn't BELIEVE I wasn't perfectly happy with my S4. Then the very next day he calls me to tell me that the Mech unit was bad (I already kinda that because of researching the AZ forums) [wrench] and when I asked him if that was common, he siad "Oh yeah happens all the time." My eyes almost rolled out of my skull.

[punch455]

Okay, I will tell you about mine then.

Moreover, I have 2 cars and both are DSG from VW franchise and no issue at all.



Are they 6-speeds? Just curious..

[SwankPeRFection]

Ah, who really knows other than Audi Engineers dealing directly with that unit. I've heard that the problem was directly associated with a bushing on the 1-2 accumulator that would swell up/dislodge under high temps, leaking fluid around the valve and causing it to hang.. I've heard what you stated.. I've heard that software updates and clutch replacements are the answer..
Basically, it doesn't really matter what the direct cause is, as the consumer. Cars are going to have problems. Humans engineer and build these amazing things, and no one expects (or should expect) completely problem free technology. What irked me at the time was the service guy acted like I was the first person in history to mention a problem with the DSG. He couldn't BELIEVE I wasn't perfectly happy with my S4. Then the very next day he calls me to tell me that the Mech unit was bad (I already kinda that because of researching the AZ forums) [wrench] and when I asked him if that was common, he siad "Oh yeah happens all the time." My eyes almost rolled out of my skull.

#1 response when someone comes in complaining about a problem well known to the manufacturer and support staff (i.e. mechanics/dealerships for cars in this case) is to state that this is the first you've heard of that problem. That way, the responsibility of the issue is shifted away from the dealership/support staff/manufacturer and inturn the product. Even if you have a TSB for it, almost 100% of the time, the customer won't be told about it. It's not unless you get someone "in the know" as a customer to talk down to the service guy or advisor because of a good relationship with them that they all of a sudden show you the true docs behind the scenes.

On the flip side of that, if there are open campaigns (i.e. things that were once TSB but have been elevated to the point of them being issues that Audi wants fixed no matter what for specific VINs, etc.) the service advisor will tell the customer that they will also complete this additional work at no charge to them. A good example of this is the ignition coil recall/campaign on the old 2.0L engines in the B7 A4, etc. If you come in and your VIN shows as not having this campaign completed, they swap out all your coils no matter what unless you can show that you've done it yourself at which point the service advisor makes note of it as completed 3rd party/owner and outside of his control/dealership.

For the ignition coil campaign, that wasn't very expensive... like $70 for coils or less and 5 minutes of work. For a new mech unit, ain't gonna happen. They'll keep that as a TSB and let customers that complain come in with problems and then they'll apply the TSB to them. This is risky because if the customer or a lot of them find out that Audi is doing it this way to keep it on the cheap for them, that's when the Class Action lawsuits bite them in the ass... because they knew it had failures and they failed to issue a mandatory recall or campaign to fix the units before customers had to be subjected to costs out of warranty or 3rd party costs/fees to get the issue fixed themselves out of the Audi network.

[macbook1]

I'm not sure if my DSG is a problem per say.....I think it's just quirky and thats just the nature of how it behaves....it shifts fast as hell, but that 2-1 downshift could be better....I dont bring it up at the dealer because I feel they will rip apart my transmission making it worse in the long run so I've decided that it does what its suppose to do, not as awesome as Porsche's variant, but its better than any transmission I've ever owned.

[zcd2.7t]

Results so far show that 91+% aren't having DSG problems....

Bummer for the 8.xxx% who are, I guess.

[Blackhawk878]

Gone from Germany, to Phoenix, to Vegas (traveling back and forth to Phoenix and LA a couple times) and now in eastern Georgia, no issues. Have been tuned since ~4k miles on the car. Had a VW CC with DSG (I know it is different), hated that damn thing, talk about a near accident causing bucking problem.

[sdw227]

2012 s4, 85k miles. It quit working one day. Towed it to a local auto shop. Couldn't fix it. Drove it to Audi...it was driving at this point. Audi said mechtronics unit. They replaced it at their cost. They said that didn't solve the problem because it was dropping gears and needed a new transmission. Audi said it will pay for the transmission. I pay for the labor of $1200. It also needs other stuff, like an alternator that combine to $5600...still an ouch. But it feels more than fair in my favor.

[jygesq]

I can't believe Audi paid for the tranny. GREAT

[Iwantyourcar]

And where do I find "Cold Climate"?

[Envy187]

And where do I find "Cold Climate"?

Let me play you "the song of my people"...

In all seriousness, my 2012's DSG has been a trooper in DAILY traffic (30 miles total from home to work, and work to home) - both in hot summers and frigid Canadian winters.

Just use logic knowing that your vehicle isn't a typical automatic: Keep distance with the car in front of you to let your first/second gear engage...and keep an eye on your RPMs shift-points so you don't run into jerky sensations/slamming from behind.

Use engine-braking to your advantage when coming to a stop to alleviate the need of applying your brakes.

If the person behind you gets butt-hurt because you're leaving a giant gap in front of you...remind them that your tail lights work properly. [>_<]

With the above in mind and appropriate maintenance permitting, my daily-driver's been exceptional in the two years I've owned it. I'm looking forward to many more years of great driving (knock on wood)!