Hi,

I've been searching for about an hour now looking to see if anyone has experiences a specific PDK issue and didn't find anything.

I'm running a 2012 GTS4 with about 12k miles on it and it's done this consistently since day one. Dealer says it's normal. Don't see how it could be.

Anyhow....
Upon first starting the car, chose sport, select manual mode with the shifter the car without fail has a large misstep when shifting from 1st to 2nd for the first time. It feels like you ran over something or just left the tranny in the middle of the road. It's not a cold issue either; it does it when hot. You can start it up and drive it for an hour, stop it for 3 minutes, get back in, same procedure and the same thing happens.

Now if you are in a parking lot or if i shift to 2nd before getting out of the drive way and then go back into 1st you don't get the same kick in the ***. It's only the first shift. On the first shift after starting the car, it seems to get lost in neutral for a split second and then feels like the clutch was dropped with more revs, hence the kick in the ***. It still does it if you shift into 2nd gear in the parking lot or drive way, but it's much more noticeable when you are pulling out in traffic giving it the beans. So you can be out driving up a storm, pull into a gas station, fill up and when you leave the gas station with some gusto, the first shift from 1st to 2nd is horrendous. It's actually noticeable when you watch the car from the side of the road. You can see the car buck and hear it as well.

Dealer says they have experienced the same issue in 2 other PDK cars on the lot and that makes it normal.

So i'm wondering if there is any aftermarket fixes (software, etc...) or if someone has experienced the same issue and successfully rectified it.

Thanks in advance!
-Joe

 

tell them you want to drive a PDK off the lot and see if in fact they all do it . when the one you drive doesn t then their excuse will be gone. Maybe it s a drivetrain prtoection set into the software under those certain conditions for some reason??

 

I have a 2012 GTS and it never does what you are describing

 

I know nothing about the PDK but in dealing with other vehicles I have seen some weird trans things happen with fluid level of trans not set right. They seem to be overly sensative to this. Don t know but it something quick and easy to check.

 

You got my interest so I just went out in my 2012 GTS PDK to try and duplicate your symptoms. I actually never have set "Sport" and "Manual" using the shift lever. I usually drive around in "Sport" and if I want, override with the paddles. Sometimes when I'm out in the country I'll have some fun with "Sport Plus".

Anyway...I cannot duplicate your problem either. Not sure if it matters, but I have to engage reverse to get out of my garage so maybe not an exact test of your sequence.

I like cerbomark's advice....go try the other PDK vehicles the dealer claims has the same "normal" PDK function.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input fellas.

I've never driven a car in any situation where this would be considered normal. If anything i think this issue is much harder on the drive train than normal operation. It feels like hitting rev limiter but this happens at any RPM. But when you do forget about this issue and pull out from that gas station full throttle it's a pretty violent gear change. Completely different when going from 1st to 2nd after next stop light. Very smooth after that.


Here are a few pics of the ride.....

 

nice pics, goodluck and keep us posted. It will help others in the future

 

2009 Targa, obviously a '4' as well.
Drive in Sport / Manual all the time.
Have never ever experienced anything like what you described.
The suggestion about fluid level is a great one.
Either underfill OR overfill could create a problem.
Good luck.

 

I know the director of service at my dealer and i have not wanted to get him involved as of yet, but i think i'm just going to ask him to go for a ride with me so i can show him exactly what happens. Will mention the fluid level to him as well.

Thanks!

 

MPOWER, With the inflection of your name I feel like I'm on the M5Board, however, the Reason for my post is to comment on your poor choice of color for a most beautiful 911.

Now, When I acquire my most beautiful vehicle, we will have to share the spotlight as well as the long line of people wanting to see who's who in the Red Porsche.

As you can see by my Avatar, I as well, have chosen poorly and apologize for my error in advance.

 

I assume this issues varies with how much throttle is being applied when shifting to 2nd? Or in your speak, how many beans you're giving it??

My PDK doesn't exhibit this. However, the 1st to 2nd shift is a tad more lazy than other shifts, even in Sport Plus. It's purposeful. There's a large gap in ratios I would imagine, and a very quick shift would surely break traction if under a heavy throttle input.

Have you tried with PSM on and off? PSM might be kicking in heavy...

 

This issue remains weather your on throttle, full throttle or driving normal. It's just exponentially more noticeable the more throttle input you're giving it.

Also, keep in mind that this only happens on the FIRST shift from 1st to 2nd after each restart of the car. After that FIRST shift after restarting the car the 1st to 2nd shifts are completely normal, smooth, and quick.

 

haha nice!

Here is the reason for the handle.... well, this and 3 other M3s i've had.

 

So have you experimented with PSM on and off? Can't you disengage 4WD by pulling in both paddles? Tried both 2 and 4WD? Just trying to eliminate variables.

 

No, i forgot to mention that i haven't thought of PSM off. Just figured since it only does it on the first shift after starting the car the PSM would likely not be the culprit. However as you said, we do need to eliminate the variables.