For the tiptronic crowd...

[demea]

When you're driving "spirited" we'll say, do you leave it in D, S or tip mode?

Just curious. Sport mode, although worse with Mpg's, is soooo much more responsive.

[Maverick]

Tip! you choose what gear you want to be in!

[Dolphin18T]

Tip! you choose what gear you want to be in!

Until it decides to downshift on its own.

[Maverick]

yea I know but I always shift myself unless I am on the phone.

[jrau13]

S for me. Easy Breezy!

[widgget]

Stage 3 is kinda a pain in the ass in D and S so i ALWAYS have it in "tip mode". and you can vag-com so that the it doesn't down shift on it's own (it might still if you punch it in 5th, i don't remember), i think it's the "old style shifting" you want to switch to but it's been awhile since i did that.

[mobigray]

If I'm on a hurry, it's S mode. I can't deal with the "mechanics" of tip mode. I've driven manual gearbox for almost all my life. So when I'm in tip mode, I can't handle the "up" for upshift and "down" for downshift. When I take off in 1st gear, my mind makes me push the shift knob downwards, as if I was shifting to 2nd gear(in manual gearbox)

[AudiA4Turbo22]

well once i reprogrammed my tranny to work better with APR 1+ S is useless!

[jackyaudi]

I tend to use mostly D mode, when in a hurry or want to test the car I put it S mode, and when there are a lot of traffic lights, I prefer to put it in Tip Tronic mode, since its easier to stop and go very frequently and I think it could save some gas sicne you control the RPM according to the stops you make.

Sport mode = $$ though :)

[Dolphin18T]

well once i reprogrammed my tranny to work better with APR 1+ S is useless!

Elaborate

[diagnosticator]

Until it decides to downshift on its own.

The TCU can be recoded to "Old shift strategy" to eliminate this behavior.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

well when u have APR 1+ u'll see that in D mode it starts hunting gears, and well it becomes very annoying when u wanna pass a car on the freeway instead of going into 4th or straight into 3rd it'll go 4th then 3rd then back to 4th then back to 3rd! Now if u had it in S mode u'd see that it'd hunt for gears as well but the hunting would be harsh and jerk a lot! so I reprogrammed the tranny so Dynamic Shift Program(DSP) is off so it doesn't hunt as often and is not jerky and well it works but at a price! If u switch into S mode it wont downshift unless u hit the gas hard enough, and well if u like using S as a way of engine braking going downhill u can kiss that goodbye!! it still hunts but is a lot more subtle and is more controllable, but as for it adapting in D mode to hold it in gear it doesn't work well either! Until i find a BT kit for sale i'm stuck

[Dolphin18T]

well when u have APR 1+ u'll see that in D mode it starts hunting gears, and well it becomes very annoying when u wanna pass a car on the freeway instead of going into 4th or straight into 3rd it'll go 4th then 3rd then back to 4th then back to 3rd! Now if u had it in S mode u'd see that it'd hunt for gears as well but the hunting would be harsh and jerk a lot! so I reprogrammed the tranny so Dynamic Shift Program(DSP) is off so it doesn't hunt as often and is not jerky and well it works but at a price! If u switch into S mode it wont downshift unless u hit the gas hard enough, and well if u like using S as a way of engine braking going downhill u can kiss that goodbye!! it still hunts but is a lot more subtle and is more controllable, but as for it adapting in D mode to hold it in gear it doesn't work well either! Until i find a BT kit for sale i'm stuck

Hmmm, so would you say that you prefer the non-DSP mode?

[DownhillA4]

Tip! you choose what gear you want to be in!

Same here, Roads here are mostly up and down hills. Much easy to be in tipronic & keep the gearing in a better gear then in D mode. D modes shift patterns just don't work efficiently around here, plus TIP is more fun even on my stock A4.

[widgget]

yeah, old shift strategy and DSP off are very good to have set with anythign over stock. i used to HATE when my stage two setup would start bouncing gears with all the tq from the K04. vag it and run the girl in manual mode, come on people it's half of the work of a stick, you can't be that lazy......

[AudiA4Turbo22]

actually i'd prefer stock form shifting, because mine stock would not downshift in tip mode not that it does now either, but the D and S were really kool in stock form, now S just guzzles gas, but doesn't help! chipped i prefer DSP off!

[jonsaudi]

I use D a lot. Tip mode when I feel like having fun. I don't use S as much maybe b/c I didn't know there is a significant difference, if there is, with the D mode.... but is there really a difference between the S and D???

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^S:

Holds gears longer
better gear response
engine braking
guzzles more gas

[diagnosticator]

I use D a lot. Tip mode when I feel like having fun. I don't use S as much maybe b/c I didn't know there is a significant difference, if there is, with the D mode.... but is there really a difference between the S and D???

Yes, significantly different shift strategy.

[jonsaudi]

^^S:

Holds gears longer
better gear response
engine braking
guzzles more gas

What do you mean "engine braking"?

[phEight]

What do you guys mean it down shifts on its own? Just don't push the pedal past the emergency downshift threshold... the click is fairly obvious... and it's also easy to determine what it takes to pass the threshold once you've tried about 3 times. I don't understand if this is what you guys are talking about or something else.. cause that's easily preventable. Just don't push your foot down so hard.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

Engine braking means if ur going downhill in drive and u kick it into sport it will downshift and hold a gear so ur easier on ur brakes!

[[email protected]]

Significant difference between S and D!!!!

Please read your manual and many of your questions will be answered.

[A4TL]

you'll heat up the trans alot faster with engine braking?

[JMRQuattro]

If I'm on a hurry, it's S mode. I can't deal with the "mechanics" of tip mode. I've driven manual gearbox for almost all my life. So when I'm in tip mode, I can't handle the "up" for upshift and "down" for downshift. When I take off in 1st gear, my mind makes me push the shift knob downwards, as if I was shifting to 2nd gear(in manual gearbox)

i hate tip mode. My mom has that on her mercedes and had it on a 02 passat we used to have. It drives me nuts. It gives you a really detached feeling compared to manual. Cause you have to push it up but it isn't just instantly in gear it has to register that you pushed it and then change. It does it really smooth and pretty quick, but it still bothers me. Manuals are the best

[A4TL]

well thats simple, get a bmw, it is opposite. after many years with the audi/etc this 335i feels ass-backwards.

[diagnosticator]

i hate tip mode. My mom has that on her mercedes and had it on a 02 passat we used to have. It drives me nuts. It gives you a really detached feeling compared to manual. Cause you have to push it up but it isn't just instantly in gear it has to register that you pushed it and then change. It does it really smooth and pretty quick, but it still bothers me. Manuals are the best

That is, Manual trans are the best, for YOU. That is not the case for everyone. Sometimes, I regret not getting a MT, but not often. Both trans choices have trade offs, and benefits.

[diagnosticator]

you'll heat up the trans alot faster with engine braking?

No technical basis for this, with the TC clutch locked up, there is no hydrodynamic slip in the TC. So there is no functional aspect of the trans to generate more friction heating in overrun/during engine braking, compared to the normal torque flow direction though the trans.

[demea]

I use D a lot. Tip mode when I feel like having fun. I don't use S as much maybe b/c I didn't know there is a significant difference, if there is, with the D mode.... but is there really a difference between the S and D???

Even if your car is bone stock there's a huge difference in shift pattern. Much more fun to drive IMO.

[A4TL]

i always thought engine braking caused line pressure to reduce which could cause premature wear on the tc lockup clutch and clutch packs. i'm talking about going down a hill type engine braking.

would be interesting to datalog the tranny when doing a night downhill descent to see whats really going on.

i still think the stock (radiator) trans cooler is pretty lame. probably get alot more life with a trans cooler like the big boy audi's have on them.

[sadpandas]

That is, Manual trans are the best, for YOU. That is not the case for everyone. Sometimes, I regret not getting a MT, but not often. Both trans choices have trade offs, and benefits.

man i have been on your 405 at say 1 in the afternoon and just like here in L.A. I DO NOT NEED TO BE SHIFTING in stop and go traffic. it just makes me sad. So, for me personally, i enjoy the "just the tip" when i feel i can have enough road to use it and D when i am just sitting there.... I must admit i do use S more than D and yes, it costs me at the pump but i like the 'spirited' feel as the OP stated.

Love and Rockets,
P

[diagnosticator]

i always thought engine braking caused line pressure to reduce which could cause premature wear on the tc lockup clutch and clutch packs. i'm talking about going down a hill type engine braking.

would be interesting to datalog the tranny when doing a night downhill descent to see whats really going on.

i still think the stock (radiator) trans cooler is pretty lame. probably get alot more life with a trans cooler like the big boy audi's have on them.

The trans system hydraulic pressure is a fairly constant, controlled by the TCU. The baseline pressure capability is a function of the pump speed, that varies with the engine speed only.

I agree with the comments on the trans cooler, an upgrade would be beneficial for sure. Logging transmission fluid temp while driving down from the mountains, or even on a shorter down hill would be conclusive. I am curious about the "night downhill descent " what where you refering to here?

[JMRQuattro]

That is, Manual trans are the best, for YOU. That is not the case for everyone. Sometimes, I regret not getting a MT, but not often. Both trans choices have trade offs, and benefits.

the only time i ever feel like automatic would be useful is when i'm trying to talk on the phone (which is now illegal), hold a drink in my hand (which is what cup holders are for), traffic, and... that's pretty much it. Otherwise it's boring because you just sit there. I love shifting and down shifting and it just keeps me occupied unless i'm on the freeway cruising at 70. The only other thing is that off the launch automatic is easier because you don't have to worry about the clutch, you just press the gas as fast as you can. But i think that the little benefits of the automatic really don't add up to much. Manual is far more worth it. I never want to own an automatic again.

[B6Lovin]

The only other thing is that off the launch automatic is easier because you don't have to worry about the clutch, you just press the gas as fast as you can.

it's easier... but is it more fun?

[JMRQuattro]

it's easier... but is it more fun?

hell no it's not lol! And it takes no skill either. Anyone can have quick reaction and launch time in an auto tranny! I take it you love the manuals too

[diagnosticator]

it's easier... but is it more fun?

It's not the same thing as with a manual trans, but I really enjoy experiencing the way the auto/tip responds to various driving situations as effected by the different driver's inputs according to the situation at hand. I have intended to install a tip chip ever since I bought the car, for the firmer shifts it provides. I like the nice crisp shift feel and a little kick with each shift. I also have been gathering the hardware to retrofit a paddle shifter steering wheel, for immediate manual "Tip in D" shift capability.

[diagnosticator]

In response to the inevitable anti tip comments that various MT drivers can't seam to resist posting in any tip related thread,
it's important to understand that each trans has both good points and drawbacks, the relative importance of the merits and compromises involved, vary according to the needs and preferences of each driver. The negative opinions dissing tip transmissions are almost always posted by guys who prefer manual transmissions. Their opinion is only relevant as it applies to their own situation and experience, and does not necessarily apply to everyone else also. Anti tip guys often ignore this fact, failing to appreciate that the best trans type is not absolute, and depends on each driver's situation according to the individual experience, needs and preferences involved. Just because a Tip trans is not the best option for driver's who really prefer a MT, that does not extend by default to necessarily apply for everyone else also.
It's funny to note that anti MT comments posted by Tip owners is practically unheard of in threads discussing MT issues. As are the frequently offered reports alleging
that tip transmissions are weak, and are problematic, etc, posted by MT drivers, especially considering the frequent posts about problems with manual transmissions, compared to the infrequent posts about trouble with tip trans Audis. Go figure.


BTW, maybe if I had passed English Comp 101, my writting style would be easier to read, and my posts would not be so long, sorry.

[demea]

Anyone can have quick reaction and launch time in an auto tranny!

...which is why most guys that build street/strip cars use automatics with tall gears and high stall TC's. Its for reliability and consistency.
My GN and my Z28 were both autos (obviously for the GN) and my 60 ft. times were incredible with both. Hell the Z28 even had 2.73 gears and I would consistently nail sub 2.0 60 ft. times...lol.

Whos wants to hear at the end of a race, "waaaah...I bogged on the launch....wahhhhh....I missed a shift....wahhhh...my clutch slipped..."

I like manual trans cars, lots of fun to drive, but for racing...automatic is the ONLY choice for me.

[diagnosticator]

...which is why most guys that build street/strip cars use automatics with tall gears and high stall TC's. Its for reliability and consistency.
My GN and my Z28 were both autos (obviously for the GN) and my 60 ft. times were incredible with both. Hell the Z28 even had 2.73 gears and I would consistently nail sub 2.0 60 ft. times...lol.

Whos wants to hear at the end of a race, "waaaah...I bogged on the launch....wahhhhh....I missed a shift....wahhhh...my clutch slipped..."

I like manual trans cars, lots of fun to drive, but for racing...automatic is the ONLY choice for me.

LOL, Good points!

[widgget]

It's not the same thing as with a manual trans, but I really enjoy experiencing the way the auto/tip responds to various driving situations as effected by the different driver's inputs according to the situation at hand. I have intended to install a tip chip ever since I bought the car, for the firmer shifts it provides. I like the nice crisp shift feel and a little kick with each shift. I also have been gathering the hardware to retrofit a paddle shifter steering wheel, for immediate manual "Tip in D" shift capability.

There is no TCU flash for the B6, GIAC stopped at the B5 and no other mfgs make one for any of the baseline cars (i think the S6 is one of the very few that has a TCU flash). anyway, for your B6 A4 there is no software upgrade that will provide you with firmer or quicker shifts, only transmission work (IE: valve body) will do what you are looking for.