6MT 2014 S4 1st Gear Shudders

[iviegatron]

I have a 2014 6MT S4 with only 10600 miles on it. I have noticed my car sometimes shudders from a stop in 1st gear when I give it gas and release the clutch. This only happens throughout the duration of the ride. For example if I am going from point A to B, it will shudder each time I start rolling from a stop. Other times when I am going from point A to B I do not notice it at all, it's smooth driving. It's hard to reproduce it as it can happen anytime. I started experiencing this when I had around 7k miles on the odometer. I want to bring this up to the dealer but reproducing the issue won't be easy. Any ideas what it can be and what I should tell the dealership?

[SteveYem]

This used to happen on my 2012 and has happened only a few times on my B8.5. It was intermittent as you reported. It seemed to happen more frequently at lower ambient temperature, and the work-around was to apply slightly more throttle earlier when letting out the clutch pedal, effectively slipping the clutch more than usual. I think the additional heat generated by slipping the clutch prevented the shudder in my case.

I would mention it to your service department, though, at least to get the issue documented.

[Sailingtime]

There is a valve in clutch line perhaps that has failed or is failing have dealer look at ot before 12k

Keeps us posted

[RynoS4]

Same as Steve ill get the shutter if i'm really light on the fuel when engaging first, I just put a bit more throttle into it and the shutter never reappeared.

guess I could mention it to Audi but that would requiring going to a dealership and ive only been there once for a recall lol.

[iviegatron]

Same as Steve ill get the shutter if i'm really light on the fuel when engaging first, I just put a bit more throttle into it and the shutter never reappeared.

guess I could mention it to Audi but that would requiring going to a dealership and ive only been there once for a recall lol.

I have tried applying more throttle but I can still feel the shudder. It's not as prominent but it's there. Feels like something is on its way out. Will definitely take it to dealer and have them take a look.

[Schadenfreude]

This used to happen on my 2012 and has happened only a few times on my B8.5. It was intermittent as you reported. It seemed to happen more frequently at lower ambient temperature, and the work-around was to apply slightly more throttle earlier when letting out the clutch pedal, effectively slipping the clutch more than usual. I think the additional heat generated by slipping the clutch prevented the shudder in my case.

I would mention it to your service department, though, at least to get the issue documented.

Mine is doing this now that temps in NJ have dropped into the 20's. On warmer days it does not do it. FWIW, my B6 S4 also did this in low temps which is why I'm not worried about it

[RynoS4]

Its got that damn anti stall function maybe that could be getting involved causing the issue.

[iviegatron]

Mine is doing this now that temps in NJ have dropped into the 20's. On warmer days it does not do it. FWIW, my B6 S4 also did this in low temps which is why I'm not worried about it

I am here in Houston, TX and I have experienced this several times during the TX heat, 90+ degrees F. This week it's been around 60-70F so not sure how much of an impact weather is having. I have setup an appointment for tomorrow. Let's see how it goes.

[jsh139]

My car will do this if I start it up (cold) and then drive away immediately with more than 50% throttle. It only does it in those exact conditions and for one or two shudders. I always just assumed it was normal cold start jitters. Since I usually am backing out of my driveway, it almost never happens because sufficient time has elapsed since I've started it and when I get going in forward motion.

If yours is doing it when warm it might be indicative of a problem.

[dizzlesizzle]

do you have the symptom of having to mash or forcibly maybe a better word, the clutch pedal down to the floor in order to start the car?

[mmm def]

You can get it to happen if you slowly let out the clutch in 1st with no gas and the anti-stall kicks in. Once the clutch is almost all the way out it will studder once. Annoying in traffic. It's normal.

[iviegatron]

My car will do this if I start it up (cold) and then drive away immediately with more than 50% throttle. It only does it in those exact conditions and for one or two shudders. I always just assumed it was normal cold start jitters. Since I usually am backing out of my driveway, it almost never happens because sufficient time has elapsed since I've started it and when I get going in forward motion.

If yours is doing it when warm it might be indicative of a problem.

If I have 10 stops between my destination it will shudder 10 times.

do you have the symptom of having to mash or forcibly maybe a better word, the clutch pedal down to the floor in order to start the car?

Nope. It starts normally without having to mash the clutch pedal down.

[Sceanzo]

Mine does It. I have the delay valve removed too. What causes it I don't know. I don't think this is causing any harm.

[fillyo]

Mine also does this randomly, and this was more prevalent for a week after my drove my car and stunk up my clutch. Either way, it's avoidable at times, other times its, there,.

[Senseless]

I had this issue with my '12 and solved it by changing the INDIVIDUAL engine drive select to "dynamic" for more juice at startup. I left everything else on automatic and it's perfect now.

[jimrobbington]

do you have the symptom of having to mash or forcibly maybe a better word, the clutch pedal down to the floor in order to start the car?

Lol, oh no. There's a couple other live threads about this.

[viceroy1976]

Mine only shudders if I use very little gas. Give it a bit more and no sign of shudder.

[MrFunk]

This used to happen on my 2012 and has happened only a few times on my B8.5. It was intermittent as you reported. It seemed to happen more frequently at lower ambient temperature, and the work-around was to apply slightly more throttle earlier when letting out the clutch pedal, effectively slipping the clutch more than usual. I think the additional heat generated by slipping the clutch prevented the shudder in my case.

I would mention it to your service department, though, at least to get the issue documented.

Mine has done this every winter for years once temps dropped below 10F. Pretty much goes away in the summer. It's intermittent but I'm sure it has something to do with condensation in the cold when the clutch is heating up (or similar).
Quick shudder when picking up 1st gear. Sometimes it's there, sometimes not... very occasionally it will happen in the summer but rare. Mostly in the cold.

[iviegatron]

Just got a call from the dealership and they said they weren't able to reproduce the problem (typical of them), but they did some aggressive highway driving and are getting a burnt smell on the clutch. They said it's considered normal and won't be covered by warranty since it's normal wear and tear. I don't know how a 1st gear shudder issue led them to aggressive test drive on the highway. Also the burnt clutch smell, what the hell?? Looks like a noob was driving. Does that sound normal to you guys? I am not sure how to handle this situation.

[iviegatron]

Any word of advice, guys?

[Sceanzo]

Sounds like they were just beating the hell out of it, thus causing the clutch smell. The judder is most prominent when its very cold out.

[roadawg]

Install the 034 or ECS trans insert mount.

I guarantee it will fix the issue completely, or drastically help

https://store.034motorsport.com/tran...a5-s5-rs5.html

My car used to do the same thing. Upon take-up of the clutch, it would literally shudder. After the insert its all good.

And to add color commentary, the clutch in this car is pure shit. I now have a problem of the clutch slipping so bad when I got WOT that it revs the engine and no power is transmitted to the wheels. I had the shudder a while back, which was resolved with the insert. Now after some power mods the clutch cant handle the power in gears 3 - 6 at WOT.

Great car, shitty clutch.

[dizzlesizzle]

mine started with a squeaky noisy pedal, then the shudders, then some type of grind type feeling in the pedal, then needing to mash the pedal to the floor in order to start the car or you get the DIS saying you need to push the clutch to start the car. had a new clutch put in, all of those symptoms are now gone. I think the clutch cylinder put more wear and tear on the clutch or not engaging or disengaging it correctly. Also that clutch delay valve makes it feel like crap. that's the next thing to replace with a stainless line.

[MrFunk]

Mine was doing it a couple weeks ago when it got very cold here (0F) and has since stopped doing it since it's warmed up a bit (20-30F).
It's weather related... Again, it's done this in cold weather since I've bought it and I've just gotten used to it.

[agorich]

I am here in Houston, TX and I have experienced this several times during the TX heat, 90+ degrees F. This week it's been around 60-70F so not sure how much of an impact weather is having. I have setup an appointment for tomorrow. Let's see how it goes.

What dealership do you go to in Houston? I am here as well but I purchased my car in Austin. Just curious if you have a preference for one service department over another. Thanks in advance!

Also, good luck with the issue.

[jsh139]

Mine was doing it a couple weeks ago when it got very cold here (0F) and has since stopped doing it since it's warmed up a bit (20-30F).
It's weather related... Again, it's done this in cold weather since I've bought it and I've just gotten used to it.

I assume these engines run a little rich during cold start-up? I wouldn't be surprised if it had nothing to do with the clutch/trans and was simply due to the extra fuel. I've also gotten used to it and just chalked it up to one of the many little nuances of these cars

[roadawg]

I assume these engines run a little rich during cold start-up? I wouldn't be surprised if it had nothing to do with the clutch/trans and was simply due to the extra fuel. I've also gotten used to it and just chalked it up to one of the many little nuances of these cars

Mine was worse in the summer.

[iviegatron]

What dealership do you go to in Houston? I am here as well but I purchased my car in Austin. Just curious if you have a preference for one service department over another. Thanks in advance!

Also, good luck with the issue.

Audi West Houston. I would avoid taking it to Audi North Houston as the techs butchered my brother's A4. Took it to Audi West and had the issues fixed under warranty.

Mine was worse in the summer.

+1

As mentioned above, I have been plagued with this all year round.

[iviegatron]

I went to go pick up my car today and spoke to the service advisor about the burning clutch his tech smelt. I told him I never had any issue with burning clutch smell and this just tells me the tech doesn't know how to drive a manual properly. Then I asked him at what RPM was the tech changing gears, he said 2500 RPM. I said please confirm with your tech, that does not sound like aggressive driving. He went to the back to check with tech and came back with 3500 RPM. I usually change gears around 3500 RPM and there should be no burning clutch smell, regardless. Then I asked him why is tech doing aggressive driving when issue is clearly with 1st gear. His response, that's how we test the clutch. It clearly sounds like they don't know what they are doing. Below are the notes on the invoice that I received.

"clutch has glazing and a burnt smell while driving test drove car. unable to duplicate shuddering concern at low speed takeoff. clutch pedal travel is normal and clutch take-up is within tolerance when compared to same or similar vehicles. after more aggressive driving on the highway, burnt smell is present from clutch. clutch is currently operating to design however. please note per tsb 2019850/5, if burnt smell is present with clutch concern, it may be caused by over rev situation and if heat or clutch disc damage is present, it will not be covered by manufacturer warranty and will be customer responsibility."

Anyways, I came home and parked the car in the garage. Went back to the car after 30min to grab my wallet and noticed the burning smell is very prominent. The smell is still stuck to the car from their "aggressive driving", and is slowly dissipating. I will eventually change my clutch down the road, but it just seems they prematurely butchered my clutch. Any thoughts?

[dansjuice]

Any word of advice, guys?

I had this problem too then around 17k needed a new clutch... I drove the car a little too rough and wasn't pro at shifting my car at first. Rough $1500 mistake. Another note is this car auto engages gears. When I'm not launching the car or in traffic I don't give any gas and just let the clutch out, especially going into first. The auto feature has lead to premature failure of clutches by drivers giving additional throttle mainly in stop and go traffic. This leads to additional wear on the clutch. My tech was telling me there have been numerous cases of clutches needing to be replaced with as little as 7k miles...

[MrFunk]

I assume these engines run a little rich during cold start-up? I wouldn't be surprised if it had nothing to do with the clutch/trans and was simply due to the extra fuel. I've also gotten used to it and just chalked it up to one of the many little nuances of these cars

Nah nothing to do with engine or cold start - I actually notice it more when the car has warmed up vs cold... low ambient temps cause it for some reason - but not all the time when it's cold, either. Almost seems ambient temps and humidity needs to be just right for it to happen.
That being said - I experience it 5% of the time throughout the year... or less... it's no big deal at all...

[Oloung1]

I have a 2014 6MT S4 with only 10600 miles on it. I have noticed my car sometimes shudders from a stop in 1st gear when I give it gas and release the clutch. This only happens throughout the duration of the ride. For example if I am going from point A to B, it will shudder each time I start rolling from a stop. Other times when I am going from point A to B I do not notice it at all, it's smooth driving. It's hard to reproduce it as it can happen anytime. I started experiencing this when I had around 7k miles on the odometer. I want to bring this up to the dealer but reproducing the issue won't be easy. Any ideas what it can be and what I should tell the dealership?

ive lived in texas for almost a decade and for the most part, other than the lack of occasional snow in the winters, i feel florida's temperature is generally comparable. ive noticed after about 5,000 miles on the odometer that my clutch does this as well, more after car is warmed up, no difference in weather. i still have a slightly "squeaky" clutch pedal when the clutch lets back up after depress. no need for me to stomp the clutch through the floorboard to get the engine started. as others have mentioned, if i add gas past 1k when it sudders, it goes away.

what is the difference between this shudder and the other live thread with the overgreased throw out bearings contaminating the clutch surface skipping sensation? my dealer did "regrease" my throw out bearings to address the grainy + squeaky clutch pedal before this shuddering began.