Gear Change (How to be Smooth...)

Post by **Ridgeway** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:17 pm

Ok so I'm still getting usec to my S4, but I'm finding it really hard to make smooth gear changes, in fact practically impossible. I drive many different cars regularly (thank you Hertz) and I have never had a car that I could not change gear in reasonably smoothly. Some times I get it right in the S4 but usually I don't and it then ends up as a series of clutch in (revs down) = slight slow down / change up to next gear, clutch up = bang !!! and it's pretty much a jolt. Mentioned it at the VAG garage today (had it's service) and one of the mechanics took it out to try it but came back and said it was normal in an S4,

Is it just me ?

Are there any tips and tricks that I need to learn ?

PS: Find changing gear at speed much easier (maybe I'll just have to drive fast all the time...)

Post by **Pete.S** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:56 pm

This is one of those things where you'd really have to be in the car to demonstrate as I'm so used to mine now I can't actually think how I do it!

But, when you say "clutch up", are you letting it up gradually or almost simply lifting off your foot? If the latter, try much more of the former, especially at slower speeds. As you've discovered, at higher speeds you can be much more brutal with the clutch pedal.

Post by **Ridgeway** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:18 pm

Tried to be a smooth as possible with the clutch release (gradual) but I also find that gradual = slower and slower = revs drops = more jolt as you feed the power back in..

Post by **chunky79** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:41 am

I have the same problem mate, i just bring the clutch up as slow as possible. I do find that if your right foot is flat to the floor and you do a quick change you really don't give a damn about the jolt cause your too busy looking for police.
The clutch's are very sharp on these motor's so i think everyone will struggle

Post by **MICALEE** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:25 am

I had an S3 before my S4 and couldnt change gear smoothly! My S4 is Tiptronic, so very smooth.

Post by **HYFR** » Tue May 19, 2009 1:46 pm

i had the same on my manual. . . only had it a few weeks so neveer sussed it ! got a tiptronic now, thats slightly easier !

Post by **bastos** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:25 pm

i had this problem to when i got my RS4-B5.
i just give the car good momentum in every gear and a smooth release on the clutch...
its fine now...
i usually give the 1st gear till 3000Rpm before i change to 2nd when driving slow... hope that helps you...

...

Post by **B6S4John** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:32 pm

I find it's a lot easier to drive smoothly if you miss gears out. Just use 1st 3rd and 5th or 2nd 4th and 6th. If you are giving it the beans, and need all the power, it tends to be smooth anyway.

Post by **no_RS** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:14 pm

Getting smooth gear changes on high power engines with manual gearbox is definitely a challenge. I end up doing as B6S4John suggests and mssing gears out 1-2-4-6 as I find the drive by wire throttle doesn't have the same feel as a proper cable with carbs at the end. If smooth changes are important go an automatic transmission.

Pete

Post by **xyber** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:32 pm

I take it the throttle could be reprogrammed to be less aggressive? I know R32 owners complain about it as 10% pedal down is 90% throttle or something mad like that and they get it sorted if they have a remap and find it alot smoother

Post by **Ridgeway** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:58 pm

Thanks for all the replies,

Yes a Tip would have been smoother but really just didn't want to give up that "Driver" feel that a manual brings.

Yes I seem to have slipped into the 1st-3rd-5th / 2nd-4th-6th gear change habit as the torque easily compensates.

Trying to play around with the seat position also to find that sweet spot, think this may help with the clutch release.

Funny that some times I can get it just right and it's such a pleasure to achieve this, then next time it's bang like an on/off switch !

Will keep practising...

Post by **spikeyboy** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:01 am

not sure if this is applicable to your car - but there was a software update for B6 S4 cars to give a better throttle response.

the very first B6 S4 i drove (demo) was a pain in the butt to drive, it was almost impossible not to kangaroo it.

Pretty sure it was a known issue - Audi shuld apply the new software foc - if under warranty.

My S4 isnt hard to change gears smoothly at all - only time it gets a bit harsh is going from 1st to 2nd when flooring it

Post by **Ridgeway** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:41 pm

spikeyboy wrote:not sure if this is applicable to your car - but there was a software update for B6 S4 cars to give a better throttle response

Anyone know any more about this software upgrade ? any ref details would help me ask more easily at the stealers

Post by **spikey** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:44 pm

this thread may give you some info:

http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/audi-a4- ... ded-2.html

bit of info on page 2

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Gear Change (How to be Smooth...)

Gear Change (How to be Smooth...)

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