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I had a VW Golf with a DSG (DQ250) which I regularly engine braked on hills. However, I noticed that the instantaneous fuel economy meter would show some consum

by xattt 5y ago

I had a VW Golf with a DSG (DQ250) which I regularly engine braked on hills. However, I noticed that the instantaneous fuel economy meter would show some consumption on downshifting versus no consumption on coasting in drive. It turns out that the logic will try to rev match to be in a lower gear before cutting off the fuel again. Rev matching wasn't perfect either, as going down more than one gear would cause the engine to lazily rev up until it got close enough in speed before the clutches fully engaged. The DSG offered a Sport mode (obviously to be used when late for work) that would downshift on deceleration, offering a mild form of automated engine braking. I could never quite tell whether would wearout the clutch packs or the brakes faster as it seemed to be a real push-pull scenario between the two.

cartoonworld 5y ago
Ouch, lots of the VW fans I've known were die hard due in part to the ergonomics and feel of the manual transmission. Something about a cable I think. Too bad VW mechatronics doesn't read the throttle position for a clue here. It all just seems so obvious.
- rand49an 5y ago
  VW transmissions haven't used a cable in many years, 30 plus.
- xattt 5y ago
  I think the rev matching to minimize the strain on the clutch pack. The car also had standard hill hold assist to minimize the risk of wearing out the clutch over a long period of time while living in a hilly area. The design of the VW Golf Mark VII was absolutely brilliant. The EU model got a few why-didn’t-I-think-of-that extras that the NA market didn’t get, particularly around towing. There was a hidden tow hitch that popped out when a button on in the trunk was pressed, as well as reversing assist that used the electric mirror control knob (!) as steering control.
  - cartoonworld 5y ago
    Dang, I might take one for a spin if I get the chance. I talked to a mkVII GTI owner today at work, I asked him about his DSG. He said he liked it a lot, but mentioned that he found the shifting too fast and got a DSG tune and either paid or on his own was able to modify the shifting, but I didn't have time to ask him what he meant or for more details about the tune. He's a chemistry PhD, and is into German stuff. Hes also got a w124 e320 that he's un-rusting (!) so I'd say he has pretty good taste.
    - xattt 5y ago
      APR is one tuner that provides chip mods for VW engines and transmissions. A base 1.8L 184 hp up engine can be wrung out to 239 hp with flash mods with practically no changes in reliability. DSG tunes are also a thing but then it becomes a rabbit hole and a money pit…
      - cartoonworld 5y ago
        Looks like a lot of fun, never got into VW much, so I don't know the ins and outs. He was out today so I didn't have a chance to chat. But, given that he's un-rusting a 1994 e320, I'd say hes pretty deep in the pit already.

by xattt 5y ago

cartoonworld 5y ago

Ouch, lots of the VW fans I've known were die hard due in part to the ergonomics and feel of the manual transmission. Something about a cable I think. Too bad VW mechatronics doesn't read the throttle position for a clue here. It all just seems so obvious.

rand49an 5y ago
VW transmissions haven't used a cable in many years, 30 plus.
xattt 5y ago
I think the rev matching to minimize the strain on the clutch pack. The car also had standard hill hold assist to minimize the risk of wearing out the clutch over a long period of time while living in a hilly area. The design of the VW Golf Mark VII was absolutely brilliant. The EU model got a few why-didn’t-I-think-of-that extras that the NA market didn’t get, particularly around towing. There was a hidden tow hitch that popped out when a button on in the trunk was pressed, as well as reversing assist that used the electric mirror control knob (!) as steering control.
- cartoonworld 5y ago
  Dang, I might take one for a spin if I get the chance. I talked to a mkVII GTI owner today at work, I asked him about his DSG. He said he liked it a lot, but mentioned that he found the shifting too fast and got a DSG tune and either paid or on his own was able to modify the shifting, but I didn't have time to ask him what he meant or for more details about the tune. He's a chemistry PhD, and is into German stuff. Hes also got a w124 e320 that he's un-rusting (!) so I'd say he has pretty good taste.
  - xattt 5y ago
    APR is one tuner that provides chip mods for VW engines and transmissions. A base 1.8L 184 hp up engine can be wrung out to 239 hp with flash mods with practically no changes in reliability. DSG tunes are also a thing but then it becomes a rabbit hole and a money pit…
    - cartoonworld 5y ago
      Looks like a lot of fun, never got into VW much, so I don't know the ins and outs. He was out today so I didn't have a chance to chat. But, given that he's un-rusting a 1994 e320, I'd say hes pretty deep in the pit already.