Auto or Manual Shifting in Dynamic Mode

[brianc21]

That's probably a good thing. I'm done, too. I've tried to explain it several different ways, but it doesn't seem to sink in. I know it can be confusing, but once you wrap your head around the fact that D = comfort/auto and S = dynamic it starts to make sense. This all just affects the engine/transmission setting. Everything else is unaffected by this. One more tidbit that supports what I'm saying is that you can use launch control in comfort mode. All you need to do is put the transmission into S first. Once it's in S you can put it in manual. That's probably the best prove that S = dynamic and it matters whether you are in D or S before going into manual mode. You can try this yourself if you don't believe me.

Or there's a comfort, auto, dynamic AND sport (S) modes. My dynamic, not in sport mode, it's definitely different in several aspects from comfort. So saying there's a full dynamic mode, and half dynamic mode makes no sense.

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[xtremepsionic]

Or there's a comfort, auto, dynamic AND sport (S) modes. My dynamic, not in sport mode, it's definitely different in several aspects from comfort. So saying there's a full dynamic mode, and half dynamic mode makes no sense.

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Do you have full ADS/Sport diff/Nav?
I bet you some of the confusion is because of the different options and different combinations of modes available.

[brianc21]

Do you have full ADS/Sport diff/Nav?
I bet you some of the confusion is because of the different options and different combinations of modes available.

I do, I bet your correct.

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[pdqgp]

Maybe mentioned earlier, but in S mode the car will seemingly never choose 7th gear except when cruise control is on. Maybe it does at some really high speed. Something to keep in mind if you are on the highway without using cruise. You need a VCDS mod to easily see which gear you are in.

I find that correct too. Again, I'm on the APR TCU Tune but when in S-Sport Mode the transmission will hold 6th gear unless the cruise is on. I'm sure if I did a top speed run it might shift but I've never and don't plan on doing that. I've had her up to 135mph but couldn't tell you what gear I was in as I wasn't looking down at the dash. I do notice is stays in 6th when not in Cruise though.

[superswiss]

My dynamic, not in sport mode, it's definitely different in several aspects from comfort.

Yes it is. That's what I'm saying. Drive Select in dynamic and transmission not in sport is the same as Individual mode with everything in dynamic except engine/transmission.

[GT-R & S4]

OP here. One thing I've learned from from reading a response is that pulling the console shifter back towards me will put the vehicle in Sport mode. I did not know that. I thought that only occurred if I moved the console shifter to the right, to enable manual shifting via the steering wheel paddles. I will try this today. Wondering if I simply pull the console shifter back (not to the right) will keep the vehicle transmission in Auto. I'll report back. Regardless, there are obviously a lot of confused and uninformed people out there, myself included. For my Individual Drive mode, I set all the Dynamic except exhaust. I could be wrong about this, too, but I see that field to Auto, because I simply don't want to drive around all the time with a louder exhaust. So to that point, will the exhaust being louder or quieter be noise only, or does the setting actually open the exhaust to enhance performance as well?

To answer any previous questions someone may have asked about my specific S4, it has the S-Tronic transmission and the full ADS sport differential, with a GIAC engine and transmission tune and pulley upgrade.

[14S4GWM]

This thread kills me. The exhuast setting for the fake exhaust note that's generated through the stereo. No gain or louder exterior exhaust note ever.

Yes it will keep it in Auto when pulling back until you hit one of the wheel shifters.

[Maitre Absolut]

Wondering if I simply pull the console shifter back (not to the right) will keep the vehicle transmission in Auto.

I simply don't want to drive around all the time with a louder exhaust. So to that point, will the exhaust being louder or quieter be noise only, or does the setting actually open the exhaust to enhance performance as well?

Pulling back keeps the transmisison in auto.

There are no valves in the exhaust to open or close, nor is there an exhaust note track played through the speakers.

Engine noise in drive select is a mechanically controlled vibration near the windshield which produces a sound.

[jareds941]

OP here. One thing I've learned from from reading a response is that pulling the console shifter back towards me will put the vehicle in Sport mode. I did not know that. I thought that only occurred if I moved the console shifter to the right, to enable manual shifting via the steering wheel paddles. I will try this today. Wondering if I simply pull the console shifter back (not to the right) will keep the vehicle transmission in Auto. I'll report back. Regardless, there are obviously a lot of confused and uninformed people out there, myself included. For my Individual Drive mode, I set all the Dynamic except exhaust. I could be wrong about this, too, but I see that field to Auto, because I simply don't want to drive around all the time with a louder exhaust. So to that point, will the exhaust being louder or quieter be noise only, or does the setting actually open the exhaust to enhance performance as well?

To answer any previous questions someone may have asked about my specific S4, it has the S-Tronic transmission and the full ADS sport differential, with a GIAC engine and transmission tune and pulley upgrade.

To use manual mode, you do NOT have to move the gear shift to the right. Just simply pull on a paddle and you're in Manual. Moving the gear lever to the right will allow you to be in manual mode and change gears USING the gear shifter.

And the reason so many people are clueless about how their car works is they seem to be unwilling/too busy/too lazy to read the freaking owners manual.

[GT-R & S4]

To use manual mode, you do NOT have to move the gear shift to the right. Just simply pull on a paddle and you're in Manual. Moving the gear lever to the right will allow you to be in manual mode and change gears USING the gear shifter.

And the reason so many people are clueless about how their car works is they seem to be unwilling/too busy/too lazy to read the freaking owners manual.

Wow, why are you so rude to people? Just move on to another post. You're just like thousands of guys I've seen in many other high performance car forums, who feign weariness of hearing posts about things they've already encountered or know about. Are you really THAT put out? Sheesh! We're all newbies at some point, and even when we do RTFM, sometimes we don't obtain the information we need. That's why I appreciate the many people who have been helpful to me on here, without the smart aleck remarks. Anyway, I learned much more about my S4's acceleration today, when I was driving to a service appointment. Awesome! And I already knew I could use my paddle shifters to manually shift at any time AND the console shifter if I chose. I just meant sliding the console shifter to the right so that I would have to manually shift gears all the time. Being in Auto obviously lets me do both. Pulling the console shifter down to put it into S mode puts the S4 in another realm, and I can still manually shift when the situation warrants. Be positive!

[pdqgp]

To use manual mode, you do NOT have to move the gear shift to the right. Just simply pull on a paddle and you're in Manual. Moving the gear lever to the right will allow you to be in manual mode and change gears USING the gear shifter.

And the reason so many people are clueless about how their car works is they seem to be unwilling/too busy/too lazy to read the freaking owners manual.

Chill out and read a good book man.

Here's a good recommendation for you.

[jareds941]

Sensitive bunch here.

[ThatOneDude]

Really enjoying driving around in town in "S" mode. And I love how the S4 feels more "ready to go" at all times.

Now, I switch it S for around town driving, and after I settle into a cruising speed on the freeway, I switch it to "D" and the RPMs drop when it shifts from 6th to 7th.

If I lose out on 1 or 2 mpg for using S more often I don't care. It's worth it.

But actually, so far I am observing at least as good and possibly better mpg by driving this way. Seems that when driving around in D all the time, more throttle is required to get going.

D would certainly be better on the freeway due to 7th gear, but in normal driving scenarios, I like the attitude and willingness of Sport mode much much better.

[pdqgp]

Really enjoying driving around in town in "S" mode. And I love how the S4 feels more "ready to go" at all times.

Now, I switch it S for around town driving, and after I settle into a cruising speed on the freeway, I switch it to "D" and the RPMs drop when it shifts from 6th to 7th.

If I lose out on 1 or 2 mpg for using S more often I don't care. It's worth it.

But actually, so far I am observing at least as good and possibly better mpg by driving this way. Seems that when driving around in D all the time, more throttle is required to get going.

D would certainly be better on the freeway due to 7th gear, but in normal driving scenarios, I like the attitude and willingness of Sport mode much much better.

Not sure if it's because I'm DSG Tuned by APR, but my S-Mode will shift to 7th gear Overdrive but only if and when cruise control is used. If I'm accellerating from cruise to pass, but don't turn off cruise it will once again activate. If I hit the brake or switch and actually turn off cruise, it will turn off until it's activated again.

[ThatOneDude]

Not sure if it's because I'm DSG Tuned by APR, but my S-Mode will shift to 7th gear Overdrive but only if and when cruise control is used. If I'm accellerating from cruise to pass, but don't turn off cruise it will once again activate. If I hit the brake or switch and actually turn off cruise, it will turn off until it's activated again.

Hi yes it's been discussed already in this thread. S mode will use 7th gear only in cruise control.

[the4siswickid]

I rarely ever drive my car in Dynamic anymore, it stays in comfort or auto 80% of the time bc of traffic, and soccer moms doing 5 under the limit on one lane roads.

You know, it's almost understandable on a one lane each direction (2-lane road). But when they're doing it in the freakin' fast lane and they refuse to move over, but then flip you off when you go around them after they've held up traffic for like 10 miles! That's what REALLY chaps my hide. No, but I'll get pulled over for doing 10+ with traffic, while other people around me are doing 10- under or putting on make-up or on their cellphones without head sets. OK - rant over.

[the4siswickid]

To use manual mode, you do NOT have to move the gear shift to the right. Just simply pull on a paddle and you're in Manual. Moving the gear lever to the right will allow you to be in manual mode and change gears USING the gear shifter.

And the reason so many people are clueless about how their car works is they seem to be unwilling/too busy/too lazy to read the freaking owners manual.

Actually, this is only partially true. Using the paddles will force the car into Manual mode for a short period of time and then back to whichever mode the vehicle's shifter is in prior to, after 60-90 seconds of continuous driving. It's purpose is to give you an immediate way to engine brake or otherwise override the ECU/TCU temporarily. But, it will revert back to it's "regularly scheduled programming". If you move the shift lever over, it will force the TCU to remain in "M" mode continuously and therefore shift using EITHER the gear shifter or the paddles. Just wanted to clarify your post, as it's only partially correct - I mean - per the manual. ;-)

[Thumper3]

You can do the same thing in any mode just by dropping the gear selector (which will switch you to Sport mode).

This.

Um, sorry OP, but there is no reason to put it in "auto". You can replicate the same thing by activating SPORT and staying in the much superior Manual mode and just holding off on your shifts.

All SPORT does, as many have stated, is hold the RPM higher. Put it in SPORT and then immediately put it in MANUAL and you have the best of both worlds. Sane, comfortable driving with decent fuel mileage and in a split second fire breathing acceleration without fumbling for the stick or taking your hands off the wheel.

[HeymyAudi]

Good read... But i did read the manual when i got the car and saw how to toggle between S and D .... But Dynamic and Sport def wakes this car up...

[raudiace4]

You know, it's almost understandable on a one lane each direction (2-lane road). But when they're doing it in the freakin' fast lane and they refuse to move over, but then flip you off when you go around them after they've held up traffic for like 10 miles! That's what REALLY chaps my hide. No, but I'll get pulled over for doing 10+ with traffic, while other people around me are doing 10- under or putting on make-up or on their cellphones without head sets. OK - rant over.

Agreed. Really nowhere to stretch the legs of this car on my daily commute.

[GT-R & S4]

Good read... But i did read the manual when i got the car and saw how to toggle between S and D .... But Dynamic and Sport def wakes this car up...

My sentiments exactly. There's a lot to learn about these S4's and they are fun to drive. But I dare say none of us are experts by any stretch of the imagination, no matter how many times we've posted in this forum, been to the track, etc.

[HeymyAudi]

Hell I just figured out the sound Today in traffic! I've had it for a month now... Every day it's something new!!!


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[IIIAWOLIII]

This.

Um, sorry OP, but there is no reason to put it in "auto". You can replicate the same thing by activating SPORT and staying in the much superior Manual mode and just holding off on your shifts.

All SPORT does, as many have stated, is hold the RPM higher. Put it in SPORT and then immediately put it in MANUAL and you have the best of both worlds. Sane, comfortable driving with decent fuel mileage and in a split second fire breathing acceleration without fumbling for the stick or taking your hands off the wheel.

Please explain the difference between:

- Putting the car in Sport, then moving the selector to the right into manual mode
and
- Having the car in "D", then moving the selector to the right into manual mode

You're going to be picking the shift points regardless once you've got the selector to the right into manual mode. Is there some other benefit?

[skiptowncat]

Please explain the difference between:

- Putting the car in Sport, then moving the selector to the right into manual mode
and
- Having the car in "D", then moving the selector to the right into manual mode

You're going to be picking the shift points regardless once you've got the selector to the right into manual mode. Is there some other benefit?

Increased throttle response, tighter suspension and steering.

[IIIAWOLIII]

Increased throttle response, tighter suspension and steering.

Thanks. So you're saying going into "S" does more than just change the shift points. It's the same as putting the car into "Dynamic" mode via drive select, and all attributes associated with dynamic mode stay active if you then move the selector to the right into manual mode?

[skiptowncat]

Thanks. So you're saying going into "S" does more than just change the shift points. It's the same as putting the car into "Dynamic" mode via drive select, and all attributes associated with dynamic mode stay active if you then move the selector to the right into manual mode?

To be honest I'm not sure, I have an early S4 that doesn't have the S mode on the selector. You could always try RTFM!!

[IIIAWOLIII]

To be honest I'm not sure, I have an early S4 that doesn't have the S mode on the selector. You could always try RTFM!!

I've read the manual several times. It doesn't go into that level of detail, which is frustrating.

Short of Vagcom-ing this thing during the changes, not sure there's a definitive answer. Would need to know what values to check as well.

Lots of people speaking with a sense of authority on this thread, only to backpedal when pressed for details.

[Maitre Absolut]

Please explain the difference between:

- Putting the car in Sport, then moving the selector to the right into manual mode
and
- Having the car in "D", then moving the selector to the right into manual mode

You're going to be picking the shift points regardless once you've got the selector to the right into manual mode. Is there some other benefit?

What others have claimed (I'm still skeptical) is the following :

If you are in dynamic (shifts+throttle response) and put the car in "D", you have overridden the dynamic settings for shifts+throttle response and put them into comfort (switched to the secondary map). Switching to M will keep these same comfort settings.

If you are in dynamic and leave the car in "S", switching over to "M" keeps the dynamic throttle+shift response.

Why i'm skeptical : My car is in dynamic when i turn it off. When i start it, and move from park to D, the transmission is automatically in "D". This would imply that you must put the transmission into "S" to activate dynamic throttle response at all times and by default its not in dynamic even though its selected? Don't think so.

[drob23]

Please explain the difference between:

- Putting the car in Sport, then moving the selector to the right into manual mode
and
- Having the car in "D", then moving the selector to the right into manual mode

You're going to be picking the shift points regardless once you've got the selector to the right into manual mode. Is there some other benefit?

The throttle is drive by wire...so when you press the pedal, the ECM filters the pedal request into an torque request (will be overdamped). For those who don't understand that, check out this figure below



The input is a step function (goes from 0 to 1 instantaneously), but the response is any one of those curves. Time is in the x-axis. So you are requesting a quick response with your foot, but the actual torque requested to the ECM (which dictates throttle plate angle, bypass valve opening or boost request, spark advance, cam phasing) could be quite slow. This is how lots of manufactures implement "eco" mode. They just make your pedal inputs slow as fuck.

Putting the engine/trans into 'S' mode absolutely makes a difference when in manual mode. How do I know? Because I *always* drive the car with engine in 'S' mode, and can absolutely tell when it is in 'D' mode. You can tell that the setting is retained because when you move the stick back to the left, it will retain whatever prior setting there was.

What others have claimed (I'm still skeptical) is the following :

If you are in dynamic (shifts+throttle response) and put the car in "D", you have overridden the dynamic settings for shifts+throttle response and put them into comfort (switched to the secondary map). Switching to M will keep these same comfort settings.

If you are in dynamic and leave the car in "S", switching over to "M" keeps the dynamic throttle+shift response.

Why i'm skeptical : My car is in dynamic when i turn it off. When i start it, and move from park to D, the transmission is automatically in "D". This would imply that you must put the transmission into "S" to activate dynamic throttle response at all times and by default its not in dynamic even though its selected? Don't think so.

In an effort to save fuel (my guess), the car always starts with the engine/trans in 'D' mode. Despite how you left it or configured individual mode. The only way to change this is to modify settings in VCDS. The only way I've found that works is to *always* have the car start in dynamic mode. You can read more about this in the VCDS thread...or there's another thread currently at the top on 2013 VCDS mods.

[jygesq]

when you first start car if you pull gear shift lever all the way down more than normal . tranny will be in "s" mode without pushing lever to to right.

[IIIAWOLIII]

Putting the engine/trans into 'S' mode absolutely makes a difference when in manual mode. How do I know? Because I *always* drive the car with engine in 'S' mode, and can absolutely tell when it is in 'D' mode. You can tell that the setting is retained because when you move the stick back to the left, it will retain whatever prior setting there was.

Thank you for the thoughtful response.

Just so I'm sure I understand you completely, you're saying that because you always drive your car in S mode, you have become accustomed to the feel of the throttle response associated with S mode. And so even when you go to manual mode, and initiate gear changes yourself, you can also feel the same throttle response associated with S mode you'd have if you were still in automatic S.

So in essence, if you and I went driving together, and I shifted the car from D or S into manual without you watching, you'd be able to tell which mode (D or S) we'd shifted from?

[drob23]

Thank you for the thoughtful response.

Just so I'm sure I understand you completely, you're saying that because you always drive your car in S mode, you have become accustomed to the feel of the throttle response associated with S mode. And so even when you go to manual mode, and initiate gear changes yourself, you can also feel the same throttle response associated with S mode you'd have if you were still in automatic S.

So in essence, if you and I went driving together, and I shifted the car from D or S into manual without you watching, you'd be able to tell which mode (D or S) we'd shifted from?

Yes, exactly!

I drive in manual mode 100% of the time. Keep in mind I have an APR tune, but I believe the same would be true for stock. If you want to try, have a friend toggle through the drive select menu's while you aren't watching, all the while keeping the trans in manual mode. You should be able to tell based on how the car reacts to simple throttle jabs. Dynamic is immediate engine response while auto is more lethargic.

I've had my battery off and the car flashed with a few different updates...not sure how...but my individual mode settings changed. Went from engine 'S' to engine 'D'. At one point I was like wtf, why is my car accelerating so slow. Turns out the engine was in 'D'.

One of the reasons I drive in manual mode 100% is to minimize drone while highway driving. You can really feel when the engine is sluggish while going 70 mph in 7th gear.

[IIIAWOLIII]

Yes, exactly!

I drive in manual mode 100% of the time. Keep in mind I have an APR tune, but I believe the same would be true for stock. If you want to try, have a friend toggle through the drive select menu's while you aren't watching, all the while keeping the trans in manual mode. You should be able to tell based on how the car reacts to simple throttle jabs. Dynamic is immediate engine response while auto is more lethargic.

I've had my battery off and the car flashed with a few different updates...not sure how...but my individual mode settings changed. Went from engine 'S' to engine 'D'. At one point I was like wtf, why is my car accelerating so slow. Turns out the engine was in 'D'.

Great information! Thank you for your patience in explaining.

Keep the shiny side up.

[superswiss]

Why i'm skeptical : My car is in dynamic when i turn it off. When i start it, and move from park to D, the transmission is automatically in "D". This would imply that you must put the transmission into "S" to activate dynamic throttle response at all times and by default its not in dynamic even though its selected? Don't think so.

Yes, that is absolutely how it works. If the transmission was in S when you turned off the car, or in S and then manual, when you restart the car you first have to put it back into S or you'll get the slower throttle response. I hope with drob23 re-explaining what I explained above, this is finally understood. If you can't feel the difference in throttle response, you need to work on your butt dyno.

[Lensch09]

Or just buy a 6 speed.... (troll font, engage)
-DL

[ThatOneDude]

Sport "S" mode is WAY more engaging and spirited than Drive "D" mode.

The first thing I do now when I put that transmission into D/S is push it down one further into "S".

It's not that the car feels "bad" per se in D mode, but S mode transforms the S4 experience to feel as it should. It feels right for an S model Audi.

[CELison]

2 pages on how to use an automatic transmission...cmon guys. D-drive (comfort) S-sport (sporty). Also, if you push down in the middle of the steering wheel, the car makes a loud "BEEP" noise.

[soltez]

Hi yes it's been discussed already in this thread. S mode will use 7th gear only in cruise control.

I've got an 11 and it goes into 7th in dynamic between 110-120 kmph .