Any reason why it does not switch gears when it is cold?

If it's an automatic, you have a problem.<p>If it's manual, you can expect it to be a little tougher in the cold, especially on a brand-new tranny. Most importantly, I think people "hurry" the shifts too much when the lube is cold; they expect the transition to go just as fast as it does when all is warmed up, which leads them to simply "yank" the shifter as normal. Yikes!<p>I *always* let the tranny shift at it's own speed, i.e. I use my hand to "guide" the lever toward the gear. I basically could shift using just my pinky to move the lever, and I must be doing something right since all but one of my cars have kept their original trannys and clutches for over 120,000 miles (never mind the Jeep, that pile didn't count!) If you're overcoming substantial resistance, either it's not ready or there is a problem. When the RPMs match and/or the synchros are ready, on a good tranny it should "glide" into gear like a hot knife through butter. As they say, if you have to force it, it's wrong!<p>Note that I said "on a good tranny"! Hope yours is just cold!

...if he is referring to the reluctance of the automatic to shift into second at low RPM's for the first shift, then this IS normal behavior. You didn't forget how much we've beaten that one to death did you? :-) <p>Charles<p>BTW: My 90Q is a royal pain in the behind to shift when cold. Always has been, and my guess is it always will be. Oh well! :-)

If I missed that entirely, I apologize. ;-)<p>I do remember driving a demo '97 auto 1.8T non-quattro (for lack of 1.8TqM demos), and finding myself bitching at the tranny that seemed to "stick" in first. Is that what you're referring to?

It came up several times here. One of the things that bothered people about the automatic, but probably the only thing about it that doesn't bother me. Did it only stick in first when you first started driving? It should only do it for the first shift when the tranny is cold. I think it waits until 3K RPM or so. After the first time though, it loosens up, and operates normally. Not a day goes by that I don't "bitch" at the Tiptronic transmission. Sorry Audi, but it really is a sorry excuse of a transmission. Atleast the programming is pathetic. I suppose the actual mechanical part may be OK, but I'll never know. The damn thing's even come close to getting me hurt or killed a couple times, but that's a whole different story. I definatly like to be completely in charge of the gears, thank you very much! :-) <p>Charles<p>

...to borrow a phrase from Audi service centers.<p>Not to duplicate what was said below, but assuming you are talking about an automatic, it is "normal" for the shift from first to second to be delayed till 3000 rpm when the car is cold. There may have been a TSB regarding this - see the link on the main A4.org page. This used to bother me, but either I've gotten used to it, or mine doesn't do it anymore. Could it be that there was a TSB and my dealer fixed it without my knowing?<p>Kyle

. . . and it did it off rolling stops, I think. But I know what you mean about the trannys; I think all the German automatics are a little weird. Don't they take off in second, at least some of them? My dad's Audi 100 (1993) and his 1990 Mercedes 300T 4Matic wagon used to scare the sh*t out of all of us when I drove them downtown. You know, I'd see an opening in traffic and step on it, but the car would barely move, just enough to get t-boned in the intersection! In panic, then, I'd floor the pedal, causing all kinds of ruckus in the tranny followed by a harsh revving and dropping into low gear, followed by sudden acceleration and -fortunately- getting through the intersection as planned.<p>Needless to say, they always thought I was a crappy driver. But downtown, if you don't go when it's your turn or when the gap is open, you lose your chance. You *need* to be able to "squirt" across the road in reasonable time, or a cabbie will take the chance from you. And my 5.0 as well as Audi and Porsche are stick, so I can zip across really easily.<p>(Sounds like I'm making an excuse for crappy driving, but I'll never get used to those slushboxes, especially the German ones in my dad's cars!)<p>I also always hated the "jerking" of the downshift when passing, as they seem to upset those cars' chassis too much, advertising your attempts to pass to everyone in the car. The Chevys and Mustangs we've built seem to do this without the same amount of "hoopla", but then again they had shift kits, and I *like* fast, precise shifting!

You might try Valvoline 75 - 142 synthetic gear oil, It's a little thinner when cold allowing easier gear changes when cold and smooth as butter shifts when up to temperature. God I love this stuff. It was recommended to me a while ago for my clunky shifting BMW bike and it made a world of difference - I also added it to my transaxle as I was so pleased. Give it a try..

One of my experiences was a left turn with a car coming. I was rolling at about 2 MPH, and there was an opening in traffic. Well, I started to make the turn, then realized that the oncoming car was traveling quite fast. So, I step on the throttle, and the damn transmission is in second gear, and just sits there. Here I am halfway through the turn, still in second gear, and there's a car about to T-bone me. I floored the SOB all the way and it just sat there for a second, and then finally downshifted into first and took off, just barely in time to escape impact. My friend in the passenger seat just about soiled his pants, I think. Another time, I pulled out of a parking lot, turning right, and when I got out into the street, the car shifted into second at about 5 MPH, while a car was coming up behind me at about 50MPH. Well, I stepped on it, and it just sat there for a second, and then Jerked into first and took off. Another close call. I know what you mean by going when you have the chance. I'm not one to sit and wait for a half mile long opening in traffic. If you wait for that, it will be 2:00 in the morning before you can make the turn. I now make a point of making sure I have the tip in manual mode, and it is in first gear when making turns in traffic. Even then, there is a delay in reaction, but it's better than being eternally stuck in second gear. <p>Charles<br>

...............I noticed that you guys post a lot one after the other (not that there's anything wrong with that). :P<p>Chuck, my father has an auto 93 90 and my 98 Tip (even in the pure auto mode) is a far superior auto. First of all, the 90s had four-speed autos, not five-speed like today's. Second of all, the newer auto doesn't have to search as much to find the right gear. Then, of course, add the Tip, 18 valves, and a chip and you've got a car that's considerably faster than the 93 90M I once had.<p>And Big O, don't you have a 1.8T? That car demands a manual for sporty driving and is simply not well mated to an auto, even with a chip.<p>No, you guys would have to step up to the big leagues (98 or later 2.8 A4) to have a good experience with a Tip auto. :-) Besides, with the Tip controls on the steering wheel, you'll have quicker control than with a manual transmission, cause you can just change gears with the flick of a finger or thumb without taking your hands off the steering wheel (like in a manual car).<p>Technology marches on! Manuals are starting to become obselete (No flaming please). :-)<p>Rick

...I'd get your attention! Finally, we disagree! :-) Sorry Rick, but I am referring to '98+ 2.8, only with quattro. I also have never liked automatic transmissions. Because of my limited driving time with them, I don't do well. The Tip doesn't necessarily seem any worse than other auto's, it just seems like it should be "better" than others. If you can believe it, after 13K miles, I'm still associating automatics with column shifters, and I occasionally reach toward the steering wheel to change from reverse to drive, or whatever. Is that sad or what? I will never get used to driving an automatic. To me, a car is for driving. I like to be involved in the operation. I like to know that the car is going to respond according to my desires, and not it's own. If you like the Tip, I think that's great. Many people do. It's just not for me. Even the new steering wheel shifters can't make the actual gear change time fast, and that is one area the Tip fails, as far as I'm concerned. What I really find odd is that when you are driving normally, it shifts fairly quickly, but when you put the peddle down and get some revs going on, it shifts slowly, and acts like a manual if you shift and then ride the clutch for a few seconds. What's up with that? Anyway, unless I put it in manual mode, it is never in the correct gear, so what's the point, other than not having to deal with the clutch? BTW, technology is just turning driving into a leisure trip. Pretty soon we won't even have to activate the steering or brakes ourselves. Next time I'm in for service, I'm going to see if anything can be done about the hang time between gears. I doubt it though. Manual transmissions are only becoming obsolete in the US. I read somewhere that only something like 1 or 2% of all cars sold in Italy have automatic transmissions.<p>Charles<br>Still dreaming of a real car! (It's big, it's turbocharged, has a manual transmission, awesome seats, and you know what it is!) :-)<p>