Audi A3 Sedan/Sportsback Owners - Check In

[Ckhaos]

Wow, suddenly so many A3 gearbox problems!    Just curious those with problems are they the sedan or sportback?  I ask this because the sedans are assembled in Hungary while the sportbacks in Ingostadt, Germany.  So, not sure if there is correlation of clutch problem to place of assembly.

 

Maybe we should have a gathering to listen to one another's clutch noises. 

[Audi2016]

Wow, suddenly so many A3 gearbox problems!    Just curious those with problems are they the sedan or sportback?  I ask this because the sedans are assembled in Hungary while the sportbacks in Ingostadt, Germany.  So, not sure if there is correlation of clutch problem to place of assembly.

 

Maybe we should have a gathering to listen to one another's clutch noises. 

 

I think they share the same gearbox so irregardless of where it's assembled, the problem will surface, sooner or later.

[EricChan]

Wow, suddenly so many A3 gearbox problems! Just curious those with problems are they the sedan or sportback? I ask this because the sedans are assembled in Hungary while the sportbacks in Ingostadt, Germany. So, not sure if there is correlation of clutch problem to place of assembly.

 

Maybe we should have a gathering to listen to one another's clutch noises.

Colleague A3 is a white sedan. Would seem there is an inherent flaw somewhere in the design with a good probability of problems showing up and whose root cause has yet to be completely eliminated (car only 7 months since aug 15). Edited March 30, 2016 by EricChan

[zerobim08]

Hi,

When did u get ur car? Have u gone for 1st service yet? Well mine had similar sound. Eventually led to clutch repair during 1st service. Hopefully, its not the same problem with your car.

 

Best Regards

 

Mine is coming to 14 months and 30k km.  Always thought the sound is normal with this kind of clutch gearbox.  Sound is similar to one made by a manual gearbox when you engage a high gear at low speed.  

 

Did they replace the gb clutch when you take in for 1st service or they just do a clutch adaptation?  When I brought my car for 1st service, they did a clutch adaptation when I ask them whether anything can be done to make the gear change less jerky at low gear.

 

I don't want to jump the gun and have the mechanics mess with a perfectly normal engine/gb and cause other problems.  Anyway still got 2 more years for warranty so not in a hurry.

Edited March 30, 2016 by zerobim08

[zerobim08]

 

Maybe we should have a gathering to listen to one another's clutch noises. 

 

Aiya.  The gb is using contact friction clutch plates to change gear.  Definitely gonna make more noise than those using belt (cvt) or slushing fluid (tc).   Maybe better is to ascertain what are the indications that point to problem rather than hearing noises. 

 

Maybe those more knowledgeable can add to this list of indications

 

1.   False neutral - gear goes into neutral while driving (MU issue??)

2.   Clutch not engaging or slow to engage - i.e. press accelerator (rpm goes up) but power not transmitting to wheel  (MU issue??)

3.  Excessive vibration (or clunking sound) when changing gear - unevenly worn out clutch plates or plates defects?

4.  Cannot engage reverse gear (MU issue??)

5.  Power rubber-banding effect when changing gear - clutch slipping due to worn out plates??

 

From what I have read, as time goes by, the clutch plates will thin out due to wear so gearshift may not be smooth.  So you need to re-adapt the gear (i.e. change the software parameters) to take into account the wear on the plates (just like you adjust the brake calipers when the brake pads worn out).

[Jk_nathan]

Mine is coming to 14 months and 30k km. Always thought the sound is normal with this kind of clutch gearbox. Sound is similar to one made by a manual gearbox when you engage a high gear at low speed.

 

Did they replace the gb clutch when you take in for 1st service or they just do a clutch adaptation? When I brought my car for 1st service, they did a clutch adaptation when I ask them whether anything can be done to make the gear change less jerky at low gear.

 

I don't want to jump the gun and have the mechanics mess with a perfectly normal engine/gb and cause other problems. Anyway still got 2 more years for warranty so not in a hurry.

Hi,

The noise is unmistakable. Its like two mechanical pieces engaging then disengaging. Totally unrelated to any other noise of the car. Its unmistakable. It occurs at low gear or when ur just moving off.

 

The noise you mention sounds more like when you brake at high speed, then speed drops but gear has not dropped yet. So, engine has a high roar before gear drops then engine sound is quieter. This is normal.

 

I believe the mechanics at PA have the diagnostic tools to ascertain the problem if you mention it. After all, they cant change part without confirming.

 

Best Regards

[Ivan_06]

Wow, suddenly so many A3 gearbox problems! Just curious those with problems are they the sedan or sportback? I ask this because the sedans are assembled in Hungary while the sportbacks in Ingostadt, Germany. So, not sure if there is correlation of clutch problem to place of assembly.

 

Maybe we should have a gathering to listen to one another's clutch noises.

Paging for Forte3737

[Zyrofillica]

59k mileage, jan 2014 sportback 1.4 ambition.

 

Already having the signature vw gb judder on first 2 gears. alot of groans and mechanical sound heard at low speed.

 

rear brakes squealing at low speed, may need adjustment for rear brakes.

 

Engine oil dipstick can see a decrease in level, very oily exhaust pipe. probably burning alot of oil.

 

fuel consumption still very good though at about 16km/l spirited driving.

 

Will have to ask AD to check when i bring it in for 4th servicing at 60k

[zerobim08]

Can I check with bros here using the stock Continental tyre.  Does yours give out some kind of "heartbeat" sound (on smooth tarmac)?  The faster the speed the noisier it gets.  There is no steering wheel vibration tho.   Didnt notice it before.  Got about 30K on these tyres.  Are the tyres wearing out unevenly (or there maybe some issues with suspension/bearing)?

[Robin]

Can I check with bros here using the stock Continental tyre.  Does yours give out some kind of "heartbeat" sound (on smooth tarmac)?  The faster the speed the noisier it gets.  There is no steering wheel vibration tho.   Didnt notice it before.  Got about 30K on these tyres.  Are the tyres wearing out unevenly (or there maybe some issues with suspension/bearing)?

 

I'm on the stock CPC .. I think its only when the tire is cold... b/c the CPC sidewall is soft so its not fully formed up.

it could also be due to pebbles getting stuck in the treads too

[Jk_nathan]

Can I check with bros here using the stock Continental tyre. Does yours give out some kind of "heartbeat" sound (on smooth tarmac)? The faster the speed the noisier it gets. There is no steering wheel vibration tho. Didnt notice it before. Got about 30K on these tyres. Are the tyres wearing out unevenly (or there maybe some issues with suspension/bearing)?

Sorry man cant help u here. I changed my tyres to SSR(run flat) ones cos I drive often to kl in boleh land. So far so good on SSR.

 

Best Regards

[AudiNoob]

I have been noticing something when my car is in 2nd gear and I accelerate a bit too quickly. Nothing happens for about a sec or two except the RPM goes up before the third gear kicks in.

 

Quite annoying when I'm moving out from sideroad and trying to turn right onto major road. As I move off, it'll go into gear 2 and then when i try to go for pick up, I just hear this revving before gear 3 kicks in.

 

Doesn't happen all the time though that's why I reckon it could be because I'm accelerating a little too quickly / heavily.

 

Is this also the rubber banding effect you guys are talking about?

[zerobim08]

I have been noticing something when my car is in 2nd gear and I accelerate a bit too quickly. Nothing happens for about a sec or two except the RPM goes up before the third gear kicks in.

 

Quite annoying when I'm moving out from sideroad and trying to turn right onto major road. As I move off, it'll go into gear 2 and then when i try to go for pick up, I just hear this revving before gear 3 kicks in.

 

Doesn't happen all the time though that's why I reckon it could be because I'm accelerating a little too quickly / heavily.

 

Is this also the rubber banding effect you guys are talking about?

Due to second clutch set to wrong gear. Usually happened when coming to a stop. Car thinks you are stopping so it set the second clutch to gear

1. But then you accelerate so it has to reset the second clutch to gear 3 causing delay.

 

Worst case scenario is you accelerate while it is process of setting second clutch. It has to complete this process first and then redo again to set to another gear.

Edited April 1, 2016 by zerobim08

[AudiNoob]

Due to second clutch set to wrong gear. Usually happened when coming to a stop. Car thinks you are stopping so it set the second clutch to gear

1. But then you accelerate so it has to reset the second clutch to gear 3 causing delay.

 

Worst case scenario is you accelerate while it is process of setting second clutch. It has to complete this process first and then redo again to set to another gear.

 

I see what you mean. Yes, it happens usually when I'm coming to the end of the side road near my house and slowing down as I approach the main road. If the main road is clear, I'll accelerate to turn out as fast I can but sometimes end up just revving hard before gear 3 kicks in.

 

Is this something I should point out when i bring it for servicing or nothing can be done about it?

[Ahkiat99]

sometimes also happens when after going over hump or coming down from slope....

[zerobim08]

I see what you mean. Yes, it happens usually when I'm coming to the end of the side road near my house and slowing down as I approach the main road. If the main road is clear, I'll accelerate to turn out as fast I can but sometimes end up just revving hard before gear 3 kicks in.

 

Is this something I should point out when i bring it for servicing or nothing can be done about it?

 

This is how dual-clutch works.  Nothing much can be done,   What I found that lessen the occurrence is you dont do hard deceleration.   Depress the brake slightly while you are slowing down.  This way the car thinks you are slowing down in normal traffic and not slowing down to a complete stop.  So it will keep the second clutch in higher gear and not reset to a lower gear.

[Ckhaos]

I have been noticing something when my car is in 2nd gear and I accelerate a bit too quickly. Nothing happens for about a sec or two except the RPM goes up before the third gear kicks in.

 

Quite annoying when I'm moving out from sideroad and trying to turn right onto major road. As I move off, it'll go into gear 2 and then when i try to go for pick up, I just hear this revving before gear 3 kicks in.

 

Doesn't happen all the time though that's why I reckon it could be because I'm accelerating a little too quickly / heavily.

 

Is this also the rubber banding effect you guys are talking about?

If I were to list the number 1 issue I hate most about the A3, this would be it: the throttle delay in D2 gear.  Now that I have been driving the A3 for 5 months, I can more or less "get used" to it, i.e., I can more or less anticipate when I will be arriving at such a situation, e.g., turning from side road and slowing down to check for oncoming traffic and then needing to accelerate to join main road.

 

In such situations, I just shift the gear stick to Sports mode before stopping.  In Sports mode, I find that the throttle delay is less severe.  And then, after joining the main road, I shift the gear stick back again back to normal mode.  Alternatively, sometimes, I just use the paddle shift to manually drop to D1, accelerate out, and then hold the right paddle shifter for ~1sec to return to auto mode.

 

Alternatively, I am still considering installing Audi Drive Select and then selecting the Dynamic mode.  I think some bros esp. zerobim08 feedback that in Dynamic mode, the delay is also not so severe.  Of course, the downside is that driving in Dynamic mode all the time is probably not too comfy.

 

Alternatively, I think there are workshops that can tune the DSG gearbox, but of course, such tunings will void the warranty?

[smarian]

Hi bros

 

Any views on the Audi A3 1.4 TFSI 7 speed S-tronic gearbox.