New Car Stupid Question!

[pridders]

Hey all,

I have just brought a new Mk5 GTI DSG and have a stupid question. When I put my "foot Down" why is it that I meet resistance then can floor it another 1/2 inch or so? Why is this and what is it for?

[Hurdy]

Welcome Pridders,

When you depress the accellerator pedal, up to the point you mentioned where you feel resistance, you are using straightforward in-gear accelleration. Beyond that point (for the last 1/2 inch) it recognises that you still want more and this is the kickdown section of the pedal. If you are in a higher gear and a lower gear would give you more accelleration then it will kickdown into a lower gear. Sometimes you may already be in the lowest available gear and in this case it will simply stay in the same gear until the limit is reached and then gear up.

[pridders]

Welcome Pridders,

When you depress the accellerator pedal, up to the point you mentioned where you feel resistance, you are using straightforward in-gear accelleration. Beyond that point (for the last 1/2 inch) it recognises that you still want more and this is the kickdown section of the pedal. If you are in a higher gear and a lower gear would give you more accelleration then it will kickdown into a lower gear. Sometimes you may already be in the lowest available gear and in this case it will simply stay in the same gear until the limit is reached and then gear up.

Hurdy, Thanks for that you are a star, I will look forward to testing this in the morning! Fingers crossed its not gonna be raining, seriously doubt it though! Cheers pal.

[TeddyKGB]

what's the benefit of using kickdown over the paddles? It seems a bit n00by-ish to me

[2007GTI]

I dont think you could do it fast enough, and the engine does all the calculations very quickly to ensure a smooth and non engine damaging acceleration...

[Hurdy]

what's the benefit of using kickdown over the paddles? It seems a bit n00by-ish to me

Kickdown can knock down more than one gear at a time if the revs are available and is therefore faster than messing about with the paddles twice. eg. if you are pootling along at 25 in fourth (or even fifth) in D mode behind some "pleasant old chap" then you can simply plant your right foot into the carpet and blast past him in second without having to mess about with paddles.