Trouble with Manual Mode Tap shifting?

[Tiberious]

Please, this isn't a request for Manual vs. Automatic debate, I could use some good ideas on this.

I use the Manual mode a lot on my A8 but frankly I'm getting less and less impressed with the shifting.

In auto mode the darn thing lugs horribly due to AFM, understood.
In manual mode using tap shifting the thing does fine until it approaches the initial red line, then it shifts whether I like it or not.....SLOWLY. The shift takes forever during which the power goes nowhere. Yesterday the car even gave out a small backfire....wasn't even close to the red zone.

I suppose it's possible that I'm tap-shifting at the same time the car wants to shift, confusing it....but MAN that's annoying!

I'm really regretting going automatic, if this is then norm then why even call it a muscle car. If not, I'm hoping my dealership can fix it. I've not taken it in yet as I wanted to hear from others on the topic first.

Any helpful thoughts would be appreciated.

Tib

[010 Camaro SS]

What i found made a huge diffrence was a tuner...I had the Hypertech
programmer installed...It takes of the AFM and tunes your shift points...
And oh yeah gives you a little more HP...If you don't mind questioning
about your warranty do at least the tuner...It works...
Hypertech - 32006 I beleive it is...
I have a L99 Auto also...It works...

[Tiberious]

Thanks 010, It's pretty much what I'd expected would have to happen. I just hate to wait for my warranty to expire to do it. Seems like just crappy engineering to me :(

Appreciate the thought!

Tib

[mlee]

Tuning the TCM for the Autos is awesome, but it won't help with the delay in the Tap Shift... Tap is not something you want to use for performance driving on this car. It's just for fun and you have to anticipate and shift early before it hits redline.

[Tiberious]

Thanks for the advice. I thought tap shifting was for performance, so that's valuable information to my somewhat ignorant mind. The tune will come but not 'til the warranty is toast, just can't absorb that loss. So the answer is sport mode (M) and let the car shift when it shifts then...at least for the time being.

How unfortunate.

Thanks!

Tib

[kbui]

Originally Posted by Tiberious

Thanks for the advice. I thought tap shifting was for performance, so that's valuable information to my somewhat ignorant mind. The tune will come but not 'til the warranty is toast, just can't absorb that loss. So the answer is sport mode (M) and let the car shift when it shifts then...at least for the time being.

How unfortunate.

Thanks!

Tib

Isn't part of using the paddle shifting is the timing when to shift to avoid rev limiter just like the manual guys have to do???? The more agressive you paddle shift, the smoother and quicker the shifting. However, redlining it at every gear before shifting is probably what you are getting. The trans is just trying to save you from yourself. I try to anticipate shifting at around 4000rpm and it has been great. Just pressing on the gas and click at around 4000rpm and see if you don't like it. Of course when the time comes, I will have a trans tune anyway...Just not yet!