A4UA4ME

<center><img src="http://john.freas.home.comcast.net/avant.jpg"></center><p>I am wondering if this is normal. My new-to-me 2001 V6 A4 Avant Q takes a second or so to wind up from a standing start. What I mean is that when starting from a full stop, if I ease into the gas the car will begin to accelerate slowly until the revs get up above 1,000 and then it'll surge forward, sometimes with a bit of a kick if I get impatient and wind it up fast. This makes for either excruciatingly slow starts or uncomfortably jerky ones.

I can't imagine that this is normal, I've driven plenty of other automatic cars and even the loaner Chrysler minivan at the airport is smooth as silk from a start, but having not driven a new B5 I don't know what to expect. The transmission is smooth and works perfectly in every other respect.

Does this description make sense to anyone, and if so what's the deal. I took it to the dealer and of course they "couldn't find anything wrong with it".

Thanks in advance.

-John

coocoomike

just you. how many miles do you have on it? how hard do you step on the gas?

chipstar-32

something isnt right

A4UA4ME

The car has 39,000 miles on it, still under warranty until the end of March.

As the "family" car I don't usually hammer it from a start, although that's fun from time to time. In that mode it gets going fast enough that you don't notice the lag.

It's when I pull out in a more casual, most would say 'normal' manner, that It's noticable. Then the engine winds up just fine, but it feels like a clutch slipping until the revs get above 1,000 and then it feels like the torque converter suddenly locks up and off we go!

If I REALLY ease into it, bringing the RPM up to 1,000 in about 3 or 4 seconds the car has accelerated in "slow mode" enough that it transitions more smoothly, but of course by then I'm being passed by people on bicycles. It also makes the transmission think I want 'ultra economy mode' and shifts through 2nd and 3rd pretty quickly.

I wish I could hold 2nd in Tiptronic mode from a standing start, it almost feels like 1st is slipping and it needs 2nd to get going right.

-John

jguthrie

Take it back to the dealer. See if you can take a mechanic for a ride.

LaR H 88

but i could never figure out what the hell is wrong with it. i wonder if it's low on ATF or something

goldfishhh

The engine is at idle (800rpm) and the turbo starts to spool at ~2000. When you hit the gas, you have to wait. Before your turbo spools, you are running with ~80hp (more or less)

This is just life of a turbo car.

Your chrysler minivan is a NA car. My wifes 2.8 is peppy off the line. It too is a NA car.

MLOSU

Not normal for a 2.8.. My only idea would be a sticking throttle body.

Mr Paul [T-28]

Ummmm, he has a V6

jimbents

From a full stop, right when I press the throttle it reacts right away.....mmm maybe you should get the gaic tiptronic chip....