Rjay

I have 1100 miles on my RS4, and still not feeling comfortable with the clutch action. I have driven manuals for over 30 years and have 4 manual cars right now, and never have I had this kind of problem being smooth with the clutch.

My observations: my clutch engages very close to the floor, and if throttle application is very light or nil on upshifts, it engages within a very short throw distance, to the point of being somewhat harsh unless I am very careful and slow in letting the clutch out in the zone it engages. I have stalled the car a few times starting from a stop, by not having enough throttle on soon enough and the clutch engaging so abruptly and low in the throw range. I have adapted to this fairly well, but still don't like it.

However, when driving more aggressively and giving it the gas on the upshift (1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd), the clutch engages over a very extended period of throw, and feels like it is slipping, producing an awkard and slow upshift.

Once when starting from a stop on a moderate hill, I gave it some gas so as not to stall, and the clutch just slipped like crazy throughout the whole throw range, and I got the bad smell. Not good.

It is this variability in the clutch engagment action that has me befuddled. Does anyone else experience similar issues with the clutch action? Is their a clutch delay valve or some sort of ECU control that effects how the clutch engages? Besides the clutch, I am loving the car. thanks for the advice.

ATL

I recently experienced the crazy slipping on a hill.

S4iowa

Almost 6 months (5K miles) for me. I had a non-DBW A4 before and have driven nothing but AWD cars with manual transmissions for over 10 years straight now.

It sounds like you are having the same issue.

Rolanday

I haven't observed the slipping/slow upshift behavior you describe, but it does take some practice to get smooth upshifts because the motor revs so freely. I'm fine by that because it makes for quick and perfect downshifts. It's what sold me on the car actually.

I agree clutch pedal engagement is low. It was on my S4 too. I would prefer to have it higher.

ELEVENS

Mine is the smoothest, easiest shifting manual I've owned, and I've owned about 15 over 35 years or so.

gtc

I am sure that you will have it down pat in the next 1000 miles.

Happy motoring!

PetrolDave

was fitted on early cars. Get it checked by your dealer.

Rjay

Was there a certain build date that the revised clutch pipe became standard? I took delivery of my car in early Feb 07.

ReeMachine

Im having the same shifting problems with my rs4. I believe the problem is that there is a clutch delay valve installed in the clutch system. This delays the engagement of the clutch,so no matter how quickly you lift your foot off the clutch pedal, the clutch engages the flywheel at a constant(slow) rate.