DSG gearbox - pros and cons

In the modern automotive world, different types of gearboxes have been developed. Among the popular ones is the automated option, since it provides maximum comfort when driving a vehicle.

The Volkswagen concern has developed a special type of box, which raises many questions regarding the reliability and efficiency of such a transmission. Let's try to find out if it is worth buying a car that uses a dsg gearbox?

What is DSG and where does it come from?

This is a type of transmission that works on the principle of a preselective robot. The unit includes a double clutch. This feature allows you to prepare for engaging the next gear while the current one is active.

Many motorists know that an automated transmission works identically to its mechanical counterpart. They differ in that the gearshift is performed not by the driver, but by the electronics.

What is the peculiarity of the DSG box, how does the DSG work?

In the process of driving a car with a mechanic, the driver depress the clutch pedal in order to change to a higher gear. This allows him to move the gears to the appropriate position using the gear shift lever. Then he releases the pedal and the car continues to accelerate.

As soon as the clutch basket engages, the torque is no longer supplied from the internal combustion engine to the drive shaft. While the desired speed is being turned on, the car is coasting. Depending on the quality of the road surface and rubber, as well as the pressure in the wheels, the vehicle starts to slow down.

When the flywheel and transmission pressure plate regain traction, the car is no longer as fast as it was before the pedal was pressed. For this reason, the driver must crank the motor harder. Otherwise, the internal combustion engine will experience an increased load, which will negatively affect the acceleration of the car.

DSG gearboxes have virtually no such pause. The peculiarity of the machine lies in the arrangement of shafts and gears. Essentially, the entire mechanism is split into two independent nodes. The first node is responsible for shifting even gears, and the second - odd ones. When the machine turns on an upshift, the electronics gives the command to the second group to connect the appropriate gear.

As soon as the speed of the power unit reaches the required value, the active node is disconnected and the next one is connected. Such a device practically eliminates the "pit" in which the acceleration power is lost.

DSG transmission types

Auto concern VAG (about what it is, read here), two types of boxes have been developed that use dsg transmission. The first variety is DSG6. The second type is DSG7. Each of them has its own drawback. In this regard, the question arises: which option should you choose? To answer it, every motorist must take into account their characteristics.

What is the difference between DSG6 and DSG7?

The number in the title indicates the number of transmissions. Accordingly, in one version there will be six speeds, and in the other seven. But this is not the most important thing, how one gearbox differs from another.

A modification of the so-called wet transmission, or dsg6, appeared in 2003. It works under the condition that there is a large volume of oil in the crankcase. It is used in vehicles with powerful engines. The gear ratio in such a transmission is increased, so the motor must be able to spin the shafts with gears. If such a box were equipped with low-power cars, the electronics would have to allow an increase in revs so as not to lose dynamics.

This modification was replaced by a dry type of box. Dry in the sense that the dual clutch will work in a similar way to the conventional manual counterpart. It is this part that raises a lot of doubts about the purchase of a vehicle with a seven-speed DSG transmission.

The disadvantage of the first option is that part of the power is spent on overcoming the resistance of the oil volume. The second type breaks down more often, so most auto mechanics warn against buying cars with DSG7.

When it comes to gear change speeds, preselective automatic machines are faster than their mechanical counterparts. However, in terms of comfort, they are more rigid. The driver senses when, during dynamic acceleration, the transmission changes to the next gear.

What malfunctions and problems are typical for DSG?

It should be noted that the DSG machine does not always break down. Many motorists are happy with both the 6-speed and 7-speed options. However, when someone has difficulties with the operation of the box, then this discontent is associated with the following manifestations:

• Strong jerks when going to any speed (up or down). This is due to the fact that the automatic does not press the discs smoothly. The effect is similar to that of the driver dropping the clutch pedal;
• During operation, there were extraneous noises that made the trip uncomfortable;
• Due to wear of the friction surface (discs close sharply), the car loses its dynamics. Even when the kick-down function is activated, the vehicle cannot accelerate sharply. Such a malfunction can be fatal on the track.

The main failure is the failure of the dry clutch. The problem is in the electronics setup. It does not allow the unit to work smoothly, but sharply engages the discs. Of course, as in any other mechanism, there are other malfunctions, but in comparison with accelerated wear of discs, they are much less common.

For this reason, if it was decided to buy a car on the secondary market, and it has already left the warranty period, then you should pay attention to the condition of the transmission. Of course, when the symptoms listed above appear, there is no need to change the entire unit. Worn discs need to be replaced, although the procedure is not cheap.

What is the manufacturer's warranty for DSG box, free DSG repair and replacement?

As for the warranty car, you need to consider the following. The company initially warns of possible transmission breakdowns. So, in the official documentation, the company says that the DSG7 box may have premature problems. For this reason, within five years or until overcoming the milestone of 150 thousand kilometers, the company obliged dealerships to provide support to customers who applied for warranty repair of the mechanism.

At the official service stations, the motorist is invited to replace the failed parts or completely the entire module (this depends on the severity of the breakdown). Since the driver cannot control the operation of the unit, the inconvenience in its operation is compensated for by free repairs. Such a guarantee is not given by any manufacturer selling cars with mechanics.

Moreover, the dealer is obliged to carry out warranty repairs regardless of where the car underwent scheduled maintenance. If the company representative refuses to repair or replace the device free of charge, the customer can freely complain by contacting the company hotline.

Since the dsg box is not serviced, there is no need to do any scheduled service work. This is an employee's attempt to make money on an unnecessary procedure that he cannot do.

Is it true that Volkswagen has eliminated all the problems with the DSG box?

Of course, the box has undergone significant changes since entering production lines. Almost 12 years have passed since that moment. Also, the automaker did not make an announcement that the mechanism will no longer be finalized. Until now, work is underway to improve the software, because of which difficulties most often arise.

Despite this, no point has been put on the issue of accelerated wear of friction elements. Although in 2014 the company is gradually phasing out the 5-year warranty, as if hinting that the issue of unit breakdown should no longer arise. Nevertheless, the problem still exists, so you need to be careful when buying a new car model (check if DSG repair is included in the warranty).

Why is the production of cars with DSG7 continued?

The answer is very simple - for the company representatives to withdraw the transmission means to take a step back and admit the failure of their engineers. For a German manufacturer, whose products are famous for reliability, agree that the mechanism turned out to be unreliable - a blow below the belt.

The main emphasis on this issue is that possible breakdowns are due to the high efficiency of the boxes. A lot has been invested in the development of the system. So much so that it is easier for a company to agree to a free additional service for their vehicles than to equip their products with the previous option.

What should a simple motorist who wants to buy a Volkswagen, Skoda or Audi do in this situation?

The concern offers several ways out of this situation. True, for the Golfs the only way out is mechanics. As for the Audi or Skoda models, the choice is expanded by the possibility of purchasing a model with a 6-position automatic modification. And then this opportunity is available in a small number of models, such as Octavia, Polo or Tiguan.

When will DSG7 be discontinued?

And there are much fewer answers to this question. The fact is that even if the company considers this issue, the consumer is the very last one who finds out about it. There is a high probability that this unit will be used for a very long time, even in spite of its significant drawback.

An example of such an approach is an extremely unfinished automatic DP box in various modifications. The development appeared in the early 1990s, but some models of cars of the latest generations are still equipped with it. For example, Sandero and Duster have such a box.

The main point that the manufacturer pays attention to is the environmental friendliness of transport. The reason for this is the clear advantage in this respect of electric vehicles, so practicality and high reliability are the compromises that automakers can afford to make.

AUBI - Used taxis Mercedes E-Class W 211, Toyota Prius 2, VW Touran and Dacia Logan, here the VW Touran from taxi driver Cords photo created in November 2011

Transmissions in petrol and diesel vehicles are clearly reaching a standstill. As strange as it may sound, dsg will not give way to more reliable counterparts yet, just because, according to the documentation, it provides improved efficiency.

Another reason for this approach is the irrepressible desire to attract more and more consumers to new cars. On production sites, there are already a huge number of copies that simply rot, waiting for their owner, and he plows the vastness of the secondary market. Companies are ready to reduce the resource of some units, so that expensive repairs would induce motorists to either put up with the Soviet classics or take out loans to buy a car in the showroom.

Well, if someone is already the proud owner of a model with a seven-speed DSG, then here is a short video review on how to properly operate it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QruA-7UeXI

Questions and answers:

What is the difference between a conventional automatic machine and a DSG? DSG is also a kind of automatic transmission. It is also called a robot. It does not have a torque converter, and the device is almost identical to a manual transmission.

Why is the DSG box good? She independently switches the gears of the box. It has a double clutch (shifting quickly, which provides decent dynamism).

What are the problems with the DSG box? The box does not tolerate a sporty driving style. Since it is impossible to control the smoothness of the clutch, the discs wear out faster.