Tiptronic Q: how much 2nd gear slip is normal?
 

After tuning the car up, cleaning the throttle body, new plugs, timing belt, changed ATF fluid, etc, etc... i guess I'm noticing what's called "2nd gear slip" (after STFA) in my 1.8T Tiptronic quattro.

My question is, how much slip is normal?
1. I notice it ONLY in 2nd gear at different RPMS.
2. RPM's drop about 200 to 400 (sometimes less when in D, but in Tip it's more noticeable).
3. When I rev high in first and drop to second sometimes it won't happen as it only seems to happen within the 2000 to 3200 band.

Thanks!

i think what you are feeling is the torque converter lock-up

weeellll yes... the TC does lockup at some point... but why a 200 ~ 400 RPM drop?

I experienced this same thing recently...
 

I NEVER felt my TC lock-up until I had the transmission filter and fluid changed. I called Blaufergnugen who did the work but didn't know anything. I then upgraded my valve body to a Level 10 which I did the install myself. I followed the refill procedure to a "T". I could still feel the TC lock-up and was disturbed. How could I have such a significant change in transmission performance and still feel this TC lock-up? No one seems to have these answers, not even Level 10.

So, last Thursday I pulled my Borla exhaust off the car and decided while the car is on the lift, I would check the ATF level. I repeat the procedure and open the fill plug...nothing comes out. Okay, no problem. I had picked up a liter of ATF fluid and was already to go. We started pumping fluid into the transmission. I was able to put the entire liter in with nothing leaking back out! WTF??? This bothered me. I was very careful with the procedure and I could believe this. Anyway, I was lucky enough to have about 1/8 of a liter from the last fill up in a bottle. We start pumping it into the transmission and finally it starts to run out. We pumped the little that was left and installed the fill plug while it was still running out.

The result? I can hardly feel the TC lock-up anymore. I can if I really look for it. Before I checked it, it was like having a 6-speed. I don't know if this will be the same for you, but I'd certainly look into it. I drove the car for about 3 weeks before I checked the fluid level. Everything is great now.