B8.5 DSG Transmission Modes

[Hellahashtags]

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the OEM DSG transmission modes and see if the community knew of a good solution to it.

For my own personal driving style, I really enjoy how "Dynamic" blips/downshifts on deceleration and keeps me in a good gear for street driving. However, when I get on the freeway, I dislike how "Dynamic" won't ever go into 7th gear. This kills my gas mileage. "Comfort" or "Auto" are more my style on the freeway, but I'm lazy and hate switching between modes all the time. I'd like to be able to set-it-and-forget-it once and for all.

Do any of the aftermarket TCU tunes offer something I'm looking for? Maybe something that takes the "Auto" setting but gives it more aggressive blips/downshifts at street speeds, while still retaining the use of 7th gear on the freeway? Or takes the "Dynamic" setting and gives me access to the 7th gear again?

[Hellahashtags]

In particular, I'm wondering if the GIAC TCU tune will address the "issue" I brought up above. Leaning toward that one because my car's already GIAC stage 2 (no complaints at all there.)

[14S4GWM]

What year car are you running?

[14S4GWM]

Leave everything in Dynamic like you like and when you get on the freeway just pull back on the shifter and it will take the trans out of dynamic and give you 7th gear back. As soon as you hit the off ramp pull the shifter back again and you are back in dynamic with the trans. There is no set it and forget it from the factory.

[Hellahashtags]

What year car are you running?

2013

[Hellahashtags]

Leave everything in Dynamic like you like and when you get on the freeway just pull back on the shifter and it will take the trans out of dynamic and give you 7th gear back. As soon as you hit the off ramp pull the shifter back again and you are back in dynamic with the trans. There is no set it and forget it from the factory.

If I pull the shifter back into dynamic, do all of the settings go into dynamic or just the engine/transmission? I try to keep my car in "Individual" as much as possible, with the engine/transmission specifically in "Dynamic".

[14S4GWM]

If I pull the shifter back into dynamic, do all of the settings go into dynamic or just the engine/transmission? I try to keep my car in "Individual" as much as possible, with the engine/transmission specifically in "Dynamic".

Everything except the trans will stay what you leave it in when you pull back. I leave mine in individual all of the time and just pull the shifter when needed. No need to cycle the button on the dash.

Edit

When you start the car everything will stay what you left it in. The trans will not start in sport mode.

[jygesq]

Pulling back the shift lever just switches trannny into S MODE. NOTHING else changes

[BigBluu]

Pulling back the shift lever just switches trannny into S MODE. NOTHING else changes

This.

I think there's some confusion between the dynamic drive select setting and S-mode. Yes, S-mode will not shift into 7th. And will downshift aggressively at every deceleration for cornering.

[Hellahashtags]

Great replies everyone, thanks. Anybody here have experience with the GIAC TCU tune? Does it affect this 7th gear behavior at all?


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[chaos2984]

This.

I think there's some confusion between the dynamic drive select setting and S-mode. Yes, S-mode will not shift into 7th. And will downshift aggressively at every deceleration for cornering.

This. I drive in "Dynamic" mode with the button on the dash to switch drive modes. And I feel more peppiness with the engine and trans. But Yes the "S" mode on the trans you have to switch it into it and yes it won't shift into 7th. But if you want to shift into 7th just put it in M mode and you can shift when you want and you can let the computer control down shifts if you don't want aggressive down shifts. Or like others have said 2 sec and pull down on the shifter and pop it out of S mode and it will shift into 7th when your on the high way.

You also know you can manually shift up and down when in D mode so if you wanted to pass or whatever you just down shift 2 gears and go and you can either upshift or if it doesn't see enough inputs for a period of time it will go back into D mode.

[The Fat Kid]

Use the paddles in manual mode. Problem solved.

[pdqgp]

just pull back on the shifter when you're on the freeway and it will put the car in D vs S mode thus you'll have 7th gear. or if you're like me just hit the cruise button and you'll move into 7th automatically but the car will retain the S-Sport position.

I rarely if ever drive in D mode and get about 20-21mpg average in mixed driving but always with fun pedal active.

[blackfunk]

Everything except the trans will stay what you leave it in when you pull back. I leave mine in individual all of the time and just pull the shifter when needed. No need to cycle the button on the dash.

Edit

When you start the car everything will stay what you left it in. The trans will not start in sport mode.

As long as you don't open the drivers side door. LOL. Ask me how I know. LOL

[14S4GWM]

As long as you don't open the drivers side door. LOL. Ask me how I know. LOL

Lets hear it

[blackfunk]

I wedged my car into a super tight parking space and had to climb out of the trunk. When I got back the car next to me was still there so I had to do the reverse to get back in. When I started the car I noticed that it was still in dynamic mode. Its probably easier to just change it back to manual mode than it is to climb out of your trunk though. LOL

[Lamprey]

I wedged my car into a super tight parking space and had to climb out of the trunk. When I got back the car next to me was still there so I had to do the reverse to get back in. When I started the car I noticed that it was still in dynamic mode. Its probably easier to just change it back to manual mode than it is to climb out of your trunk though. LOL

LOL.. I suppose that is one way to get it to stick in sport mode.

[awwturbo]

Great replies everyone, thanks. Anybody here have experience with the GIAC TCU tune? Does it affect this 7th gear behavior at all?


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I cant vouch for B8.5 or if there is any difference at all, but I have the GIAC TCU tune in my B8. In "Sport" mode it does go into 7th gear on the highway. Around town though, it lingers in 4th gear around 2.5K at 40mph which i like to be in 5th at 2k rpms. Only gripe I have about the TCU tune.

[wangshuo1989]

Transmission goes to S mode when you switch to Dynamic while you driving. If you turn off the car it'll goes back to D mode. To solve your issue, simply pull the shifter backward, which puts the transmission into D mode, and it'll goes to 7th gear, but everything else stays in Dynamic mode. When you off the freeway, pull the shifter again and it'll goes back to S mode. So you enjoy everything else in Dynamic mode all the time without sacrificing fuel economy.

[14S4GWM]

I think he's got it by now.

[Hellahashtags]

I think he's got it by now.

I think I got it now! thanks all

- - - Updated - - -

I cant vouch for B8.5 or if there is any difference at all, but I have the GIAC TCU tune in my B8. In "Sport" mode it does go into 7th gear on the highway. Around town though, it lingers in 4th gear around 2.5K at 40mph which i like to be in 5th at 2k rpms. Only gripe I have about the TCU tune.

On your B8, before the GIAC TCU tune, would "Sport" mode ever go into 7th gear?

[awwturbo]

I think I got it now! thanks all

- - - Updated - - -



On your B8, before the GIAC TCU tune, would "Sport" mode ever go into 7th gear?

No, it didn't go into 7th gear on stock tcu.

[soltez]

I think I got it now! thanks all

- - - Updated - - -



On your B8, before the GIAC TCU tune, would "Sport" mode ever go into 7th gear?

My b8 shifts into 7th in S at 93-95 KMPH (56-58 MPH) stock TCU.

[dizzlesizzle]

Use the paddles in manual mode. Problem solved.

This^^^

[iant]

This. I drive in "Dynamic" mode with the button on the dash to switch drive modes. And I feel more peppiness with the engine and trans. But Yes the "S" mode on the trans you have to switch it into it and yes it won't shift into 7th. But if you want to shift into 7th just put it in M mode and you can shift when you want and you can let the computer control down shifts if you don't want aggressive down shifts. Or like others have said 2 sec and pull down on the shifter and pop it out of S mode and it will shift into 7th when your on the high way.

You also know you can manually shift up and down when in D mode so if you wanted to pass or whatever you just down shift 2 gears and go and you can either upshift or if it doesn't see enough inputs for a period of time it will go back into D mode.

So when you pull the shifter for 2 seconds, is it in M mode and then you slide it over to automatic mode?

[14S4GWM]

So when you pull the shifter for 2 seconds, is it in M mode and then you slide it over to automatic mode?

When you pull the shifter back it kicks the trans into Sport mode. You can use the paddles at anytime you like without touching the shifter. If you use the paddles it will stay in Manual mode until you come to a complete stop and it will put it back into D mode or slide the shifter over to M and back to D.

[jygesq]

When you pull the shifter back it kicks the trans into Sport mode. You can use the paddles at anytime you like without touching the shifter. If you use the paddles it will stay in Manual mode until you come to a complete stop and it will put it back into D mode or slide the shifter over to M and back to D.

in my 2015 if you use manual mode with paddles ,if you do not shift again , within a few seconds it will revert to automatic mode.

[14S4GWM]

in my 2015 if you use manual mode with paddles ,if you do not shift again , within a few seconds it will revert to automatic mode.

I've never seen that in my 14.

[iant]

When you pull the shifter back it kicks the trans into Sport mode. You can use the paddles at anytime you like without touching the shifter. If you use the paddles it will stay in Manual mode until you come to a complete stop and it will put it back into D mode or slide the shifter over to M and back to D.

Sorry mate I get the rest of it, it's just what position the shifter is in when you pull it back for 2 seconds ie is it in manual mode (to the left with + or -) or automatic mode (to the right) that allows 7th gear when the ADS is set to dynamic. On mine if I pull the shifter back when it's in manual mode in 6th it, obviously, drops a cog down to 5th not shift up to 7th so I'm guessing it's when the shifter is in the automatic position that you do the 2 second pull...... is that correct?

[14S4GWM]

Sorry mate I get the rest of it, it's just what position the shifter is in when you pull it back for 2 seconds ie is it in manual mode (to the left with + or -) or automatic mode (to the right) that allows 7th gear when the ADS is set to dynamic. On mine if I pull the shifter back when it's in manual mode in 6th it, obviously, drops a cog down to 5th not shift up to 7th so I'm guessing it's when the shifter is in the automatic position that you do the 2 second pull...... is that correct?

I just saw your profile and noticed you are 2010. I don't believe pre FL has the pull back option. There is a little arrow below the "D" to show you how to pull it back, in auto yes. If you don't have that arrow, you don't have the ability.

EDIT

[jygesq]

I've never seen that in my 14.

In my 2015 this happens only using paddles, not shifting into manual mode with the gear shift lever.

[iant]

I just saw your profile and noticed you are 2010. I don't believe pre FL has the pull back option. There is a little arrow below the "D" to show you how to pull it back, in auto yes. If you don't have that arrow, you don't have the ability.

EDIT

Ahhh it all makes sense now thank you mate. Serves me right for having an ancient motor

[iant]

in my 2015 if you use manual mode with paddles ,if you do not shift again , within a few seconds it will revert to automatic mode.

In my 2010 it does the same, but there's quite a difference in the time it takes to revert back to auto depending on what mode you are in. Dynamic, obviously, being the longest to revert back

[14S4GWM]

In my 2015 this happens only using paddles, not shifting into manual mode with the gear shift lever.

I'm pretty sure mine stays in m mode until I come to a stop or flick the shifter over and back to D get out of m mode.

[iant]

I'm pretty sure mine stays in m mode until I come to a stop or flick the shifter over and back to D get out of m mode.

If it does mate..... I wish mine did the same

[vwblackb5]

I'm pretty sure mine stays in m mode until I come to a stop or flick the shifter over and back to D get out of m mode.

The others are describing the shifter in D/S and intervening with the paddles. This puts you in a temporary M (manual) mode to do as you wish. After a few mins of no feedback or intervention, it should return to previous mode you were originally in (D/S).

This is different from pushing your lever to the right which puts it in manual mode. Give it a try. Drive in D or S and use the paddles. Just stay in (M3) 3rd or (M4) 4th without touching the paddles. You should see trans via DIS return back to D or S.

Lastly, if in M, regardless of which mode you're coming from (lever to right or intervening with paddles), stock TCU will always up shift at redline to protect the trans.


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[14S4GWM]

^ I understand what they are saying. I don't think I've used the paddles where I don't touch them for a long period of time. When i'm using them I'm always shifting. I'll give it a go and see what comes out of it. I remember reading when I first got the car that you have to come to a stop for it to return to D/S when using the paddles.

[vwblackb5]

^ I understand what they are saying. I don't think I've used the paddles where I don't touch them for a long period of time. When i'm using them I'm always shifting. I'll give it a go and see what comes out of it. I remember reading when I first got the car that you have to come to a stop for it to return to D/S when using the paddles.

Fair enough. It's possible your typical use case hasn't afforded you the opportunity to see it happen. Here's a scenario for you.

Drive Select: Full Dynamic (steering, trans, engine sound, sports diff, suspension)

You're driving home from work putting around in D for max gas savings. You reach a point in your back roads commute and decide to downshift via paddles on some fun twisties. You're blasting through 2nd into 3rd and some grandma Sunday driver pulls up in front of you instantly killing your fun. You're still in M3 (manual mode 3rd gear). You drive 2-3 mins waiting for said grandma to turn and you're still in 3rd. At some point, if you do nothing, this is when your trans will switch back to D.

Manual is correct with the other scenario. If you're still in M and you come to a quick stop without doing anything, it will sequentially go M3,2,1 and then back to D or S once full stop. The other way is if you're in M, and you decide you want to be lazy again, just push down on lever and it will bring you back to D or S.

Apologize for the long reply.




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[14S4GWM]

No apology necessary lol. Your scenario is spot on around here where I am at. That's exactly how it will play out. I'll give it a go and report back. I might time it too.