How to use 6 speed DSG in mk7 Passat

[paultownsend]

I have just picked up a VW approved mk7 Passat. 2.0 CR DSG S. And it's great. 10k gets you a lot of car!

The car is for work duties, mostly motorway. Will cover 30k a year and last for 3 years. I drive quite slowly these days. Always annoying wagons in lane one!

So I need the car to last. It has 35k on currently and has just had a DSG oil and filter, and will do every 40k.

I have read many contidictive stories on how to drive the DSG. It will always be in drive for me. But what about in traffic? It has stop/start and brake hold!

Can you leave it in drive, even in traffic and let the other tech do its thing? Or should it go in to P? Or N?

I'm not a fan of stop/start, so that's the first button I press.

Any knowledge would be great chaps.

[Lucas Ayde]

paultownsend said:

I have just picked up a VW approved mk7 Passat. 2.0 CR DSG S. And it's great. 10k gets you a lot of car!

The car is for work duties, mostly motorway. Will cover 30k a year and last for 3 years. I drive quite slowly these days. Always annoying wagons in lane one!

So I need the car to last. It has 35k on currently and has just had a DSG oil and filter, and will do every 40k.

I have read many contidictive stories on how to drive the DSG. It will always be in drive for me. But what about in traffic? It has stop/start and brake hold!

Can you leave it in drive, even in traffic and let the other tech do its thing? Or should it go in to P? Or N?

I'm not a fan of stop/start, so that's the first button I press.

Any knowledge would be great chaps.

I tend to leave it in 'D' and use the footbrake to hold if the traffic is stop/start but at least moving frequently. Otherwise I put the handbrake on and gear to 'N' when stopped and waiting to move. Same at traffic lights ... if I know I'll be going soon I keep it in 'D' but a longer wait means handbrake and 'N'.

[Toma500]

Same for me any length of time stopped into n and handbrake on Skoda Fabia vrs estate 61 plate

[Toma500]

Same for me any length of time stopped into n and handbrake on Skoda Fabia vrs estate 61 plate

[yayitsadiesel]

As the op has auto handbrake what would be the advantage in holding it on the footbrake?

[Dr G]

yayitsadiesel said:

As the op has auto handbrake what would be the advantage in holding it on the footbrake?

Was going to say the same thing, the system works really well.

Turn in on rather than bug everyone behind with your brake lights

[Lucas Ayde]

yayitsadiesel said:

As the op has auto handbrake what would be the advantage in holding it on the footbrake?

I'm not familiar with how an electronic handbrake might work but certainly with a manual lever type it's not a good idea to leave it in 'D' and on the handbrake as it constantly creeps against it in gear, presumably straining the engine, the 'box and the brake. Using the footbrake to hold the car will engage the internal clutch.

That said, I'm sure the designers of the car bore it in mind when designing the electronic handbrake so it probably would work similar to using the footbrake in suitably equipped vehicles.

[blueg33]

I read somewhere that with a torque converter auto you cause less wear leaving it in D at lights. I wonder if the same applies to a DSG.

Auto handbrake is great IMO

[t955daytona]

Dr G said:

Was going to say the same thing, the system works really well.

Turn in on rather than bug everyone behind with your brake lights

Unless it's differ in the Passat auto hold still illuminates the brake lights or at least it does in our golf and S4.

[va1o]

I only ever use N when I'm going to be stopped for more than about 30 seconds, I.e. At a slow red light. Otherwise just leave it in D all the time.

[yayitsadiesel]

t955daytona said:

Unless it's differ in the Passat auto hold still illuminates the brake lights or at least it does in our golf and S4.

Must be a slightly different system as i have a 2013 Passat and the brake lights do not illuminate when the auto handbrake is activated they only come on via the footbrake.

[lemonslap]

I had a 2011 Passat 170 DSG and the Start stop system doesn't really work with the dsg box, you need to have your foot on the brake to activate it. I also didn't like the way it changed into the next gear to early, 1200 rpm is too low for 2.0 diesel and you could feel it labouring

[paultownsend]

Cheers gents. Had a good run today. The DIS indicated 65mpg average. Impressed!

Think I have found the best setup.
Stop start off.
Auto handbrake on.
If in moving traffic leave in D.
If stopping at lights or more slip in to N.
As long as your foot is on the brake it slips between N and D easily.