Shifting to second... What is wrong with me???
01-14-2007, 09:14 PM
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Shifting to second... What is wrong with me???
I have driven numerous other high performance namual trans cars and have never had as hard of a time with getting smooth shifts as I do with the Audi. I drove a modded 320 horse WRX for two years and even that little trans was smoother. Just tonight I raced my bro in his 325ci on a empty construction road and I pull him about a car length all through first, then the 1 to 2 shift comes and feels like it bogs the engine and he comes right back up to me. My 2 to 3 shift is great but the 1-2 sucks. Even driving around town it is rarely smooth, mostly jerky. Anyone have any tips. I should have been able to walk away from the 325ci hands down, I was kinda embarrased?
01-14-2007, 10:45 PM
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It's not you
The manual version of the B6 S4 sucks. I've driven a ton of cars and 1-2 and 2-3 is definitely harder to shift smoothly than everything else in this price range. Takes the fun out of it.
01-15-2007, 12:01 AM
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A few things...
Yes, it's DBW, but since we are cursed with it, we have to adapt to it. Even with it your shifts can be amazingly smooth... almost imperceptible when you get it right. Just have to learn to work <i>with</i> the DBW.
What I've always advised is, first, don't shift lazily. Shift fairly quickly, without being frantic about it. Don't let your rpms drop more than 800 rpm. Second, don't push the clutch all the way in. You don't have to in order to shift. In fact, find out exactly where your clutch disengages. Once you find that sweet spot, from then on, try to shift while the clutch is at that point (this will, by extension, also shorten your shifts). Third, don't release the throttle completely. Come 90% off the throttle or so, just enough to slow your rpms from dropping. Don't worry, with this little throttle pressure you won't harm your clutch. You're just playing with DBW to help your shifts. One or all these should help.
And when you're racing someone, turn off ESP. You'll lose every time if you don't.
What I've always advised is, first, don't shift lazily. Shift fairly quickly, without being frantic about it. Don't let your rpms drop more than 800 rpm. Second, don't push the clutch all the way in. You don't have to in order to shift. In fact, find out exactly where your clutch disengages. Once you find that sweet spot, from then on, try to shift while the clutch is at that point (this will, by extension, also shorten your shifts). Third, don't release the throttle completely. Come 90% off the throttle or so, just enough to slow your rpms from dropping. Don't worry, with this little throttle pressure you won't harm your clutch. You're just playing with DBW to help your shifts. One or all these should help.
And when you're racing someone, turn off ESP. You'll lose every time if you don't.
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01-15-2007, 07:10 AM
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Well...
Im kinda wishing I had gotten a tip. I think I might need to go to the dealership and have them look at my car. The whole DBW thing bugs me. I know its the reason for the shift problems and I dont know if any of you have ever had the problem of trying of trying to blip the throttle to rev match when downshifting. Sometimes ill hit the gas like half way down and nothing, kinda lame for a $50K car. Other than that issue, I love the car. Only had it for 3 months but never had such a hard time learning to drive a car.