How would I know if my 2012 S4 has DSG?

[Ricky_C_08-11]

My previous car was a 2011 S4 Premium Plus with Black Optics. Sadly I was in an accident in July with an idiot making an illegal U-Turn and my car was declared a total loss. I picked up a 2012 Prestige with Black Optics, B&O, Sports Diff, Black/Red leather and ect. My questions is how could I find out if my car has DSG? I apologize if it's a stupid question and please trust that I have tried searching google as well as the forum, but no direct answer. Thank you in advanced.

Ricky C

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

It's just the type of transmission that in the car. It's either a manual 6 speed or a DSG automatic. That should be self-explanatory at this point. To go a step further, if you have a clutch pedal (a 3rd pedal) you have a manual and not a DSG transmission.

But I have to ask... how are you a car enthusiast and not know this? I guess maybe if you thought that the S4 could have another type of transmission in it and both that standard auto and the DSG auto were visually the same internal to the car controls wise and you didn't know how to tell the difference. I guess that's what I'm thinking you may be confused fused about and what warranted this question.

[BlownOne]

Good explanation swank...I'm going to get this man a flame suit lol

[Ricky_C_08-11]

It's just the type of transmission that in the car. It's either a manual 6 speed or a DSG automatic. That should be self-explanatory at this point. To go a step further, if you have a clutch pedal (a 3rd pedal) you have a manual and not a DSG transmission.

But I have to ask... how are you a car enthusiast and not know this? I guess maybe if you thought that the S4 could have another type of transmission in it and both that standard auto and the DSG auto were visually the same internal to the car controls wise and you didn't know how to tell the difference. I guess that's what I'm thinking you may be confused fused about and what warranted this question.

Thank you for the answer Swank. I apologize for my "ignorance" on this topic. My previous car was an 08 Nissan Altima Coupe and before that a 98 Jetta VR6 Manual. I'm fairly new to the Audi world as I owned my 2011 S4 for 6 months before it was totaled. Recently this 2012 S4 has been giving me vibrations, during shifts, and lags with vibrations before launching when I floor it on the highway. I've been doing research on what it could be, but wanted to get the facts down before jumping to conclusions. I am 90% sure I need to replace the mechatronics.

Ricky C.

[s4e]

Not sure you should be 90% sure of anything regarding your transmission given the original post.

Perhaps a mechanic should diagnose.

[Pyromatic177]

Also would be odd for the Gen 1.5 DSG Mech Unit to go. But maybe I'm wrong

[jygesq]

Also would be odd for the Gen 1.5 DSG Mech Unit to go. But maybe I'm wrong

I thought 2nd generation DSG was used starting in 2013 model year.

[RudyH]

Not sure you should be 90% sure of anything regarding your transmission given the original post.

Perhaps a mechanic should diagnose.

+1 agreed, there's a good chance it could also be in comfort mode vs dynamic. I would almost also say to take it to an Audi dealer vs anywhere else to explain the situation better...

[MrFunk]

Not sure you should be 90% sure of anything regarding your transmission given the original post.

LOLOLOL

I thought 2nd generation DSG was used starting in 2013 model year.

up to 2011 was 1st gen
2012's was a "1.5" gen
2013+ was 2nd gen

[bmoreS4]

I'm shocked that this thread didn't implode lol, well done guys.

[Lord_Shenk]

Also would be odd for the Gen 1.5 DSG Mech Unit to go. But maybe I'm wrong

You are wrong unfortunately as my car has been living at the dealer the past 43 days due to a failed mech unit and drive position sensor. I also have a 2012 black optics

[awwturbo]

Not to go off topic but, didnt Black Optics become an option in 2014? As far as I know 2011-2012 cars are Titanium Packages.

[AudiS4SD]

Not to go off topic but, didnt Black Optics become an option in 2014? As far as I know 2011-2012 cars are Titanium Packages.

Affirm.

[LittleDozer]

B8 S4 folks a little more tame these days

[S4Robo]

I brought some marshmallows in case there was some roasting, but I was wrong.

Well done on keeping it tame fam.

[14S4GWM]

Oh man, someone is going to break bad soon, I see it coming.

[tgsweat]

I'm shocked that this thread didn't implode lol, well done guys.

I came here for that reason and was let down :(

[whiped]

When I first saw this post last night I was preparing for a roast fest.

Guess we all got it out in the APR thread, good work guys!

@OP, post in the regional section to see if you can have someone drive your car that knows the S4 a little better.

Diagnostic cost should be about 1 beer vs whatever crazy shit the dealer will charge you.

[mr shickadance]

It's just the type of transmission that in the car. It's either a manual 6 speed or a DSG automatic. That should be self-explanatory at this point. To go a step further, if you have a clutch pedal (a 3rd pedal) you have a manual and not a DSG transmission.

But I have to ask... how are you a car enthusiast and not know this? I guess maybe if you thought that the S4 could have another type of transmission in it and both that standard auto and the DSG auto were visually the same internal to the car controls wise and you didn't know how to tell the difference. I guess that's what I'm thinking you may be confused fused about and what warranted this question.

not sure where he calls himself a car enthusiast.

I can understand the question, i can understand the lack of information out there. Essentially he was searching for an answer that didn't really exist.

OP must have thought there were two automatic transmissions, which is sort of reasonable, i mean if you go on cars.com and search S4, you get three transmission choices, auto, manual, and auto-manual (which is bullshit, but for a person with no car knowledge you can see where the question may form)


OP, your question was answered, and your follow up for the mechatronics unit, that should be handled by an independent mechanic that is doing your pre-purchase inspection (if you are not doing it, then consider it)

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

not sure where he calls himself a car enthusiast.

I can understand the question, i can understand the lack of information out there. Essentially he was searching for an answer that didn't really exist.

OP must have thought there were two automatic transmissions, which is sort of reasonable, i mean if you go on cars.com and search S4, you get three transmission choices, auto, manual, and auto-manual (which is bullshit, but for a person with no car knowledge you can see where the question may form)


OP, your question was answered, and your follow up for the mechatronics unit, that should be handled by an independent mechanic that is doing your pre-purchase inspection (if you are not doing it, then consider it)

For those of you waiting on me to go off on someone, here goes... on shik!

I based the car enthusiast thing on the OP's registration of 2014. Nobody goes to a car forum, registers 2 years ago, drives another S4 and isn't some kind of car person. Trust me, I tried very hard not to explode last night when I saw that post, but considering what's going on in my life now, how I've treated people in the past and how I feel when I'm treated the same way I've treated others, it's kind of put it in some perspective, so before I die, maybe, just maybe I can be slightly better. So, regardless of all of that, I dunno man, it's almost like the OP was a trap post to see who's gonna flame or something because I felt it honestly couldn't be serious, but the only possible explanation I could find is as I explained in my replay... the concept (as you re-mentioned yourself) that the OP somehow thought there was more than one automatic trans available for the S4, I mean, who out there doesn't know the visual queues and differences between a manual and an automatic. Anyway, that's why I called him an enthusiast... had it just been someone who registered yesterday to ask this, I would have labeled him as a newbie. And there goes my other problem... judging and labeling people. I swear, someone just kill me now and put me out of my misery already.

[Ricky_C_08-11]

Ok guys correction. It has a Titanium package with Black-Optic exterior package. Anyways this morning I was having breakfast at a park down the street from my job. I turn the car on to drive to work about 1/4 miles away and I got a message on the dash "Gearbox Malfunction: You can continue driving limited functionality." as I accelerate it Is really not moving at all and the rpm's are going up slow, but it shifts at about 4K. If that could be of any use as to what the problem could be. Thank you guys for the great info and help.

Ricky C.

[14S4GWM]

Mech unit

[Thurston]

You have a DSG gearbox. You also have an underlying issue probably pertaining to the "mechatronics unit" and aught to get that seen about asap.

[Dirt]

For those of you waiting on me to go off on someone, here goes... on shik!

I based the car enthusiast thing on the OP's registration of 2014. Nobody goes to a car forum, registers 2 years ago, drives another S4 and isn't some kind of car person. Trust me, I tried very hard not to explode last night when I saw that post, but considering what's going on in my life now, how I've treated people in the past and how I feel when I'm treated the same way I've treated others, it's kind of put it in some perspective, so before I die, maybe, just maybe I can be slightly better. So, regardless of all of that, I dunno man, it's almost like the OP was a trap post to see who's gonna flame or something because I felt it honestly couldn't be serious, but the only possible explanation I could find is as I explained in my replay... the concept (as you re-mentioned yourself) that the OP somehow thought there was more than one automatic trans available for the S4, I mean, who out there doesn't know the visual queues and differences between a manual and an automatic. Anyway, that's why I called him an enthusiast... had it just been someone who registered yesterday to ask this, I would have labeled him as a newbie. And there goes my other problem... judging and labeling people. I swear, someone just kill me now and put me out of my misery already.

FWIW, you handled it perfectly. And props for trying to improve yourself.....I am/was in a similar situation.

.

[mr shickadance]

For those of you waiting on me to go off on someone, here goes... on shik!

I based the car enthusiast thing on the OP's registration of 2014. Nobody goes to a car forum, registers 2 years ago, drives another S4 and isn't some kind of car person. Trust me, I tried very hard not to explode last night when I saw that post, but considering what's going on in my life now, how I've treated people in the past and how I feel when I'm treated the same way I've treated others, it's kind of put it in some perspective, so before I die, maybe, just maybe I can be slightly better. So, regardless of all of that, I dunno man, it's almost like the OP was a trap post to see who's gonna flame or something because I felt it honestly couldn't be serious, but the only possible explanation I could find is as I explained in my replay... the concept (as you re-mentioned yourself) that the OP somehow thought there was more than one automatic trans available for the S4, I mean, who out there doesn't know the visual queues and differences between a manual and an automatic. Anyway, that's why I called him an enthusiast... had it just been someone who registered yesterday to ask this, I would have labeled him as a newbie. And there goes my other problem... judging and labeling people. I swear, someone just kill me now and put me out of my misery already.

to be clear OP has 1 started post and 5 total posts in 2 years of history.

also, do you need a hug?

[Wreckm]

drink bleach

[Silverbullet S4]

Not sure what I expected to read here but, I didn't find what I was expecting.....yet.lol I'll refrain myself from a jerk comment and leave this bit of useful info on the DSG since OP isn't able to search. DSG-gearbox-explained Short answer is you either have a manual (3 pedals) or auto (DSG).

[SteveYem]

Well to be fair, Audi markets the 'DSG' transmission as 'S Tronic' (http://www.audi-technology-portal.de...es/s-tronic_en) which is a brand name for a particular Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-shift_gearbox). Correct me if I'm wrong, but were one to look through their B8 S4 Audi Owner's Manual I do not believe one would find the acronym DSG in it.

EDIT: I didn't really land the plane on this. What I meant to say in conclusion is that when the OP scans down the Monroney for his car, he will see Audi S4 Quattro S-Tronic Sedan at the top, then in the list of features he'll see 7-speed auto s tronic transmission, but nowhere will he see the acronym DSG.

[timzcat]

He probably has a DCT. lol

[Dr GP]

He probably has a DCT. lol

LOL!

[RudyH]

Well to be fair, Audi markets the 'DSG' transmission as 'S Tronic' (http://www.audi-technology-portal.de...es/s-tronic_en) which is a brand name for a particular Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-shift_gearbox). Correct me if I'm wrong, but were one to look through their B8 S4 Audi Owner's Manual I do not believe one would find the acronym DSG in it.

EDIT: I didn't really land the plane on this. What I meant to say in conclusion is that when the OP scans down the Monroney for his car, he will see Audi S4 Quattro S-Tronic Sedan at the top, then in the list of features he'll see 7-speed auto s tronic transmission, but nowhere will he see the acronym DSG.

You are correct, I researched this myself as well.

DCT = Dual Clutch Technology
DSG = VW marketing name
S Tronic = Audi marketing name
M DCT Drivelogic = BMW marketing name

Anyway, I use to call it DSG as well then corrected myself but it still slips

[nekky]

You are correct, I researched this myself as well.

DCT = Dual Clutch Technology
DSG = VW marketing name
S Tronic = Audi marketing name
M DCT Drivelogic = BMW marketing name

Anyway, I use to call it DSG as well then corrected myself but it still slips

Sorry, but DCT = Dual Clutch Transmission
DSG = Direct Shift Gearbox
M-DCT is simply the M version (which is one of the best transmissions in the world - if you haven't driven an E90 M3 w/ M-DCT, do yourself a favour)

[S4'ed]

I thought DSG was Dual Sequential Gearbox.....

[Victor Newman]

I call mine an MSG ;)

[theweebabyseamus]

Put it in gear and floor it. If it shifts, you have DSG. If it doesn't and you hit your head on the steering wheel, you don't have DSG.

[Ricky_C_08-11]

Well to be fair, Audi markets the 'DSG' transmission as 'S Tronic' (http://www.audi-technology-portal.de...es/s-tronic_en) which is a brand name for a particular Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-shift_gearbox). Correct me if I'm wrong, but were one to look through their B8 S4 Audi Owner's Manual I do not believe one would find the acronym DSG in it.

EDIT: I didn't really land the plane on this. What I meant to say in conclusion is that when the OP scans down the Monroney for his car, he will see Audi S4 Quattro S-Tronic Sedan at the top, then in the list of features he'll see 7-speed auto s tronic transmission, but nowhere will he see the acronym DSG.

Thank you Steve. This is 100% true. I believed that DSG was an option, in a package, for the auto transmission just like the sports diff. On a side note I turned my car on after work and it drove normally, but once I got closer home which is roughly 20 miles away if shouted the same display in dash and started acting the same. I stopped at my neighbors house 1 block check on away to check on their dogs since they are out of town. I was there approximately 45 minutes and turned the car on to drive home it drove normally once again. I believe best to the transmission might be causing the issue to occure, but I'm no master tech so it's going to be checked out at the audi dealership soon.

[RReddington]

Sorry, but DCT = Dual Clutch Transmission
DSG = Direct Shift Gearbox
M-DCT is simply the M version (which is one of the best transmissions in the world - if you haven't driven an E90 M3 w/ M-DCT, do yourself a favour)

The DCT from the E90 M3 is most definitely not one of the best transmissions in the world...it is miles behind current technology. You should do yourself a favour and try an F80 M3's DCT or better yet try the second gen R8 V10 Plus and you'll have THE best transmission in the world. :)