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Is the "adaptive transmission" a load of BS?

4.3K views 10 replies 11 participants last post by  Flippped  
#1 ·
I was just watching my Passat video the other day and was wondering if the "Adaptive Transmission" they mention a load of BS.

They say it will get used to the way you drive and shift accordingly. I was wondering if it was actually the other way around and you as a driver actually get used to the way the transmission works and alter your habits.

Any thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I think it works like any other modern automatic transmission and adapts to conditions accordingly, holding a lower gear longer when climbing hills, etc, so in that sense I guess it could be called "adaptive". However, there is the so called "sport mode" which I think can only be entered by pushing the accelerator down fast and/or flooring it so it will immediately downshift and hold gears longer.
 
#3 ·
however, I do belive the at the Drive-by-wire system for the gas pedal does learn your driving habbits. Can anyone else confirm this?

kevin
 
#4 ·
The transmission is adaptive. This is not a very unique feature, almost all computer controlled automatics have several (even hundreds) of different "modes" that alter shift points and even shift speed in some cases based on how you're driving. I tend to think the "sport mode" procedure described above is probably bunk. Of course, when you're holding the throttle wide open the transmission will switch to a more performance-oriented mode, but it will switch back again as soon as you're back to cruising. Some sporty cars have buttons that let you lock the mode, but not the Passat.

The engine computer is also adaptive, but I do not believe that it is adaptive to driving habits directly. Rather it's adaptive to engine conditions. Ambient temperature, engine temperature, fuel quality, air quality, air cleaner condition, and anything else that can effect engine efficiency can cause the ECU to use different sets of fuel/ignition/boost maps to optimize fuel economy and emissions.
 
#5 ·
Macabre said:
Of course, when you're holding the throttle wide open the transmission will switch to a more performance-oriented mode, but it will switch back again as soon as you're back to cruising.
That's my experience. Sometimes when I'm just casually cruising and have to make a quick pass, the transmission will bit a bit slower to downshift than when I've been driving agressively.

In those situations, there's several things I've done to get to "sporty" mode:

1. Press the gas quickly (but not full throttle) so the transmission downshifts, and then release the gas. This puts the car into the "sporty" mode so that subsequent shifts will be a bit quicker while I wait for a break in traffic. (Of course it changes back to econo mode after a while if I don't continue with the quick throttle.)

2. Wait for a break in traffic and then press the gas pedal full throttle and activate the kickdown switch. This is what I do the most. I figure, if I'm going to pass, I might as well pass with authority.

3. Switch to Tip mode and choose the gear I want to be in.
 
#6 ·
on DBW cars, it is easy to reset the throttle position sensor. Unfortunately, lots of city or constant highway driving results in the ECU learning a driving style that results in slow throttle and tranny response.
Resetting it clears the systems' memory so it can relearn a driving style.

Turn key to on position, without starting car.
Floor accellerator for 15 seconds
Release pedal and turn car off.

Thats it.

As you drive, it will begin the relearning process, like when it was new.
 
#7 ·
Definitely adaptive. Whenever we would get der Golf back from service, we would have to teach it how to drive all over again. Freakin' annoying. die neue is much better. There are also several settings in the TCU that can be modified with a VAG-COM. Hills is my favorite one to play with.
 
#9 ·
Multitudes of "modes" may help with efficiency and emissions, etc., at the car's discretion, but results in not knowing how your car will respond to a given input.

i would prefer a couple of selectable modes, myself, if i had the choice..
 
#10 ·
a1a2a4b5 said:
TDIBUGMAN said:
Turn key to on position, without starting car.
Floor accellerator for 15 seconds
Release pedal and turn car off.
Won't this "flood" the engine? or is flooding the engine no longer an issue in modern cars?
Depressing the throttle pedal on a fuel-injected engine while it isn't runnnig won't cause any fuel to enter. No flooding. Actually, with modern engine control systems and fuel injection, about the only way to flood the engine is for the control system to go whack.

Vehicles with carburetors have a pump in the carb that will inject fuel, but again, simply holding down the throttle wouldn't flood it. Pumping the throttle repeatedly would be required.
 
#11 ·
TDIBUGMAN said:
on DBW cars, it is easy to reset the throttle position sensor. Unfortunately, lots of city or constant highway driving results in the ECU learning a driving style that results in slow throttle and tranny response.
Resetting it clears the systems' memory so it can relearn a driving style.

Turn key to on position, without starting car.
Floor accellerator for 15 seconds
Release pedal and turn car off.

Thats it.

As you drive, it will begin the relearning process, like when it was new.
Chris, forgot to mention this one. :wink:

The other alternative is to turn the key in the on position and leave the door open for 15 minutes. this should also reset the system.