It's best to write it now.

The PDK is very different . I am new to it and I really want to learn how to drive it . I've read the posts and it seems like many who are traditinally tiptronic drivers are trying to use it as an automatic . In the same breath I see several post by traditionally manual drivers trying to make it a manual .

It's actually different than both -- at least to me . So I want to learn how to drive it for what it is.

There's three major settings and an infinite amount of combinations of when or how to shift or decide . One can diwnshift in normal or upshift in sport plus but the key is to get the most out of its ability .

The positives -
It is clearly faster shifting than a manual and in high rev or spirited driving it just ups ante and seems to reduce some driver error . It also presents all types of steady paced slow drivability in gridlock traffic , No pushing pedals and in in normal mode is civilized.

The negatives -
Normal is very tame . I don't want to be in 4th gear at low speed because if a sudden acceleration is needed the system can fool itself . Traffic doesn't always stop and go or move at a steady pace of slowness. Also in sport mode downshifting to a stop at a slow speed has an absence of neutral for that 5MPH -0MPH coast to a stop . The result is smoothness in normal but choppy stopping in sport .

Overall I love the system and find it intriguing and fascinating . I will take the time to learn it .

 

I had similar thoughts about my DCT in my M3 at first. Is it a manual, is it an auto?

In the end I spent most of my time in auto mode at about the middle setting. I used the paddles when I felt frisky or when I was showing off the new car to friends.

Jason

 

Thnaks for sharing Larry and keep these driving reports coming. I think the PDK is a great move, will have to see this by myself within few days.

 

Your observations are very astute. I am still learning how best to use the transmission as it offers an enormous range of experiences and flexibility. I believe that Porsche engineered the normal auto mode strictly to improve listed MPG figures.

 

I wish it's default setting was Manual not Auto, like in BMW's, or at least you could preset this setting. I personally plan on getting C4S with PDK and will be driving it in manual most of the time, just like I did with my M3 SMG which by default was in manual mode.

 

Larry, I am in S Florida as well.

Can I ask you who the dealer was you purchased the car from and why?

 

I am wondering if there is a way to smooth out the agressive downshift going from 10 MPH to a stop . In normal mode its smooth but "normal" mode is nit my preferred mode for most other driving . Sport mode downshifts feel smooth excpt that 10MPH to zero as it rolls into 1st gear . In a manual rolling at 5MPH allows placing the car in neutral .

 

Manual mode in 2nd will probably roll to a stop and eventually engage the clutch. Could never drive my SMG M3 in auto because it would shift itself into 2nd and 1st in a very jerky manner as you came to a stop.
Took me over a year to smoothly drive the SMG M3. Granted, the PDK is a light year ahead. Even my wife says the Porsche is smoother shifting than the M3 was! Can't beat the automatic in heavy traffic, but I rarely see that with this car. When I got the M3, I was convinced that the SMG like trannies were the way of the future and manuals will be a thing of the past. Not so sure anymore.
Larry, enjoy that car, sure will be a blast. Should really take that one to the track. Instead of heal and toe double clutch downshifting, you get to concentrate on driving.
The Civic sounds fun. I think I'll break it to the wife in a year or so that we need one as a "mall car"!!

 

PM sent . I gave you the contacts at 3 dealrships - all of whom were eager to sell cars as wellas the one that sold me the car .

 

Larry,

There may have already been a software flash for PDK and depending on your car's build date it may or may not have been done...I'd check it out.

 

The OP offers a good perspective, but I think that there's more to it. PDK Normal is as sedate or as responsive as you make it because it is adaptive. Normal will always tend to upshift quickly, but you can force it to rev higher with the proper modulation of your right foot. Sport is the middle ground - it shifts by default at higher revs and it's always responsive. Sport Plus shifts at the redline and it is for the track.

Both Normal and Sport can be overridden by manually shifting with the paddles... so if one is in slow traffic and an opening occurs, a couple of paddle downshifts will give 2nd to takeoff.

And there's always M mode - a true sequential manual and then it's up to you.

 

I did not experience much of that in Sport mode - you may want to check if your car received the latest PDK software updates. That tends to occur in slow stopping. If one applies brakes for a decisive stop that should not occur. BTW... it can occur even in autos w/ torque converters, again depending on the braking profile.

 

I discover something as well, in normal mode (other modes also, <6) 7th gear engaged for instance, you make a brief impulse on the right pedal and the gear box shifts down to 3 rd or even 2nd, the most appropriate to the current speed and makes it much quicker than using the whell buttons. then you push ..... It is a kind of kick down but really amazing.

 

OK one day of driving and I am in love !!!! First I had read RyeM3's post so I decided to use the manual mode in sport setting and voila --instant amazing car . When I saw amazing I really mean it .

In manual shifting from the paddles the shifts are rocket fast and efficient and so smooth its like butter. Rolling into a stop in second gear the car automatically downshifts to first without a drop of jerkines .

In gridlock traffic I just popped it into normal and drive and the car instanty turned into a boring automatic ideal for traffic.

This is by the far the way I will drive the car.

I am not a drag racer but if I was the launch control would be the way . My Turbo would cream it though .

I am totally into this car.

 

Nice post Dias.