Det. Mickylaren

Hello all!

I have a '13 A4 6-speed.

I've noticed recently that when I shift to first gear, the lever doesn't always feel like it fully engages (e.g., it doesn't have the usual "snap into place" feel). I usually pull it back into neutral and then try again, and I can get it to fully go into place on the 2nd or 3rd try. However, even in those situations where I haven't "re-seated" the shifter, the gear still works: I can move the car without issue.

Has anyone else experienced this behavior? It's pretty subtle, so I expect it to be difficult to reproduce for the dealership.

E92MPower

I can't specifically speak to the A4 since I just picked up my '15 last week and it's only got 125 miles on it. Shifting is very smooth compared to the BMW.

How many miles are on the car? Did you purchase new or used? Does it exhibit the behavior with any kind of temperature change?

I know Audi claims we have a "lifetime" transmission fluid, but I would start with a spill and fill with fresh OEM fluid and see if that helps. Can't hurt except making your wallet a little lighter.

ccA4SEA

When does this happen - while you are stationary or while in motion downshifting into first?


Kinda surprised to hear 'the ultimate driving machine' isn't better in that regard. The shifting on my 2015 feels comparatively sloppy with a longer throw compared to my old stock 2004 B6 A4.

E92MPower

LOL... I know! BMW isn't really known for having super smooth manual gearboxes. It's not bad by any means, but you'd expect it to be a liitle more direct. I've got a heavier shift **** that's supposed to improve the feel sitting in a box waiting to be installed. The Honda S2000 I owned for a brief period had one of the best gearboxes ever!

Det. Mickylaren

Both:
While stationary, while shifting from neutral to first
While moving, usually while shifting from third to first (e.g., approach stop sign in third, shift to neutral and then first while coming to a stop).

ccA4SEA

Hard to say then - if you double clutch does it make it any easier to engage?

My B6 did something similar/same maybe half a dozen times over 11 years with no real explanation and it would stop doing it before I could really try different things to isolate it better.

Det. Mickylaren

I've never tried double-clutching, but googling suggests it's a rather tricky thing to do. I'll do some more observing to see if I can reproduce more consistently.