clearwatersense

Hello, I have a 1.8 FWD 2015 Audi A3 and when I try to accelerate quickly from a stop, there is a very noticeable "jerk" along the way. For example, just today I was stopped but needed to move over left one lane and accelerate quickly to keep pace with traffic coming up behind me. I release my brake, turn to the left, and floor the gas pedal (all the way past the "downshift notch" at the bottom). While I'm accelerating, there is at least one very heavy jerking motion - my passenger even noticed and asked if this was normal.

Does anyone else get this behavior? Am I only supposed to press down on the pedal more lightly/slowly? It seems like flooring the pedal from a stop should have digital/computer "assistance" in shifting properly such that there are no major jerks. I don't ever remember such jerky behavior from any other cars I've driven.

clearwatersense

Sorry for the addition, but I just remembered - sometimes the tires will "slip" and appear to lose traction slightly when I floor it - is this supposed to happen? Is this the traction control kicking in?

markN1689

O___O have you ever driven a car before

clearwatersense

What a helpful response

Like I said, this doesn't happen with other cars I've driven. For example, my friend's RWD 128i can just have it's throttle floored from a dead stop, and the computer takes care of all the upshifting smoothly. It's a peppy car, honestly a nicer engine and tranny than the 1.8 FWD. Other FWD cars (Lexus) I've driven also don't display this behavior. The Quattro sounds like it deals with this better, but I got the FWD since there's no snow down where I live; it's pretty ridiculous to have this level of wheelhop on an Audi.

oblique

I had this happen on my A3 2.0 a few months ago so you're not alone. The road conditions were dry so I doubt it had anything to do with losing traction especially with the quattro. It hasn't happened since but I'll bring it up at my next service for the car.

clearwatersense

Appreciate the response. Yeah it seems like it happens much less with the 2.0 Quattro. Hope it doesn't happen again to you, sounds like it's a very rare occurrence at least. I do wonder what the dealer will say, I suppose it's worth me bringing it up at my next service as well. I can imagine some variant of "operating as designed" though. But if they do say anything interesting shoot me a PM or update us!

oblique

No problem I'll let you know if they mention something substantial about it.

Antarius

Wheel hop most likely. (skip to 45 seconds or so to see wheel hop)

You were turning and accelerating at the same time, which is a big no-no in a FWD car.