My 99.5 1.8T with tiptronic surges when driving in city stop and go traffic conditions in 4th and 5th gears, while accelerating to keep up with the flow of traffic. The car does this whether the engine is cold or at normal operating temperature.

I've been to two different dealers, but it's still not fixed. I have my second appointment with the Audi District Service Manager scheduled for 8/25.

This problem has really been a pain.

Vic

I've never noticed anything like that at high speeds (4th - 5th gear) on my 98 1.8T-Tip, but I do occasionally get jerks in stop-and-go traffic (which must have something to do with the turbo building up pressure and having nothing else to do with it).

I guess it could be. I have never noticed it happening in a 2.8 Tip (I've had several 2.8 A4, A6 as loaners).

It slams into gear if I have been coasting, slightly decreasing in speed, and I hit the gas at just the right moment (usually just as it is beginning it's downshift from 3 to 2 in auto mode, as if I am "catching it off it's guard")... Is this like what you are experiencing? Switching to an APR engine chip had no effect on the problem. I may try one of those Garrett Tip chips to see if it helps.

My Audi dealer put in some sort of deluxe trans. fluid that has helped a great deal, but didn't eliminate the problem entirely. Maybe one of these years I'll remember to ask them what the part # is for that fluid (the said it was Audi fluid, US$30/bottle, covered under warranty)...

Paul
'98.5 A4 1.8TQTS

I do experience the same things that you described about you tips behavior, but I really don't have a problem with it. I think my surging problem originates with the engine (I don't know, but suspect EGR, evaporative canister purge valve, or a hyperactive knock sensor). It's just that the tips low shift points really allow me to feel any power deviation at all (tip shifts into 5th at 40mph).

Vic O 99.5 1.8T tip

Ok, no I don't notice these (I was thinking mainly stop and go I guess). Your assumptions may be correct.

As for the low shift points, try driving in Auto mode, but with the selector in '4' (say if the speed limit is 40-45 or below). The Tip uses different shift patterns in '4' (as opposed to 'D') that seem to be more optimized for power. At least, my '98.5 does. I first read about that here, oh maybe a year or so ago. Won't help with the surging, but may make the shift points more tolerable, esp. in stop and go traffic.

Paul
'98.5 A4 1.8TQTSS (I keep forgetting to type that 2nd S)