A6 shift delay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Actually, the shift happens very quickly, but there is a delay before it even starts to shift. I've read that the 2007's have less of a delay. However, I've been told by my Service Advisor that there is no bulletin to update the software to reduce the delay to the 2007 levels.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln NE
My 07 A6 shifts lightyears faster than the slap stick in my 06 Charger RT. There is some delay but a whole lot less than if I were grabbing the gears myself. Think of the delay as engaging the clutch, reaching for the right gear and releasing the clutch. It downshifts a whole lot faster too!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
My 07 A6 shifts lightyears faster than the slap stick in my 06 Charger RT. There is some delay but a whole lot less than if I were grabbing the gears myself. Think of the delay as engaging the clutch, reaching for the right gear and releasing the clutch. It downshifts a whole lot faster too!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg pa.
Last April I was at BG and attended the GM quality clinic. I was interviewed by one of GM's chief engineers. One issue I brought up to him was that I wished the A6 shifted faster. His responce was everyone he discussed this with said the same thing, and he was going to push his engineers to improve this shifting issue. Maybe the '07 is the improved shift responce or '08 will show the improvement. If they can make F1 cars shift without hardley any delay I can't see why a C6 A6 can't be any different in Sport mode.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 1
Nope...it's all in perception....it takes the avg human much longer to depress the clutch and engage the next gear than the computer can shift. You're just so busy doing all the work, you don't notice th etime go by. There is a ton of disagreement on the quickness of shifting between the M6 and A6, and alot of shifter egos are getting bruised by the A6 tranny numbers. I've heard a good tuner can quicken the shifts in the A6 a little more, but the newer ones may not need it. The A4s are getting phased out more and more and the manuals in most cars may be next.Get your thumbs ready!!!
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Brett Foote
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 1,656
From: Atlantic City NJ
Nope...it's all in perception....it takes the avg human much longer to depress the clutch and engage the next gear than the computer can shift. You're just so busy doing all the work, you don't notice th etime go by. There is a ton of disagreement on the quickness of shifting between the M6 and A6, and alot of shifter egos are getting bruised by the A6 tranny numbers. I've heard a good tuner can quicken the shifts in the A6 a little more, but the newer ones may not need it. The A4s are getting phased out more and more and the manuals in most cars may be next.Get your thumbs ready!!!
If you timed the amount of time it took you to depress clutch, shift, and let out clutch...you'll see that it's more time then your A6 takes. Like he said, you just don't notice it while you're doing all of the work.
I do remember reading somewhere that the delay was less when you completely turn off the AHS/TC, but I've never tried it and wouldn't recommend you trying it either!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,865
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
I now have 11k+ and my car shifts very quick in "S" mode. However, I seldom drive the A6 out of paddle mode except in traffic. I seriously doubt I could shift my MN6 C6 (previous car) faster than it takes the A6 to engage the next gear. Whether this is in "S" or using the paddles.
It did take time/miles for the tranny to break-in though and shifted very slow and hard the first 0-4000 miles.
I think this auto tranny is lightyears ahead most others (in a $50k car) and doubt I will return to a manual anytime soon. I do miss the ability of engaging a clutch and revving the motor at will though. And I hope to get TM tuned completely out (sometime this century). But other than those couple of things I have no complaints as of yet.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
Only 600 miles on mine so far.
It seems to shift fairly quick.
The faster you accelerate the quicker the shifts are and with only 600 miles I have not gotten to do much testing.
I notice that driving very slow the shifts are mushy, but they seem to get crisp with a slight dose of throttle whether in "S" or "paddle mode".
I never use "D"
Howard
It seems to shift fairly quick.
The faster you accelerate the quicker the shifts are and with only 600 miles I have not gotten to do much testing.
I notice that driving very slow the shifts are mushy, but they seem to get crisp with a slight dose of throttle whether in "S" or "paddle mode".
I never use "D"
Howard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 54
From: Granbury, Pecan Plantation TX
If you timed the amount of time it took you to depress clutch, shift, and let out clutch...you'll see that it's more time then your A6 takes. Like he said, you just don't notice it while you're doing all of the work.
I do remember reading somewhere that the delay was less when you completely turn off the AHS/TC, but I've never tried it and wouldn't recommend you trying it either!
Page 2-28 3rd paragraph of the 2006 Owners Manual states "If Traction Control is active, upshifts are delayed to increase your control of the vehicle"
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
You are no doubt feeling the effects of 'Torque Management'.....Not only does it delay shifts, it also pulls timing when the car shifts. It helps the tranny live longer.
You can defeat torque management with tuning, but your tranny will not like it for long.
If you really want a quicker shift the only 'correct' way to do it is with a shift kit where faster shifts are acheived thru increased mechanical pressure being applied during shifts. Only problem is.......the shifts will always be firm.
I think GM tries to balance the ratio of quickness and firmness with longevity and realibility.
I personally own a 6sp manual and I can adjust the shift firmness and speed at any time, no tuning required.
It is not for everyone though.....
You can defeat torque management with tuning, but your tranny will not like it for long.
If you really want a quicker shift the only 'correct' way to do it is with a shift kit where faster shifts are acheived thru increased mechanical pressure being applied during shifts. Only problem is.......the shifts will always be firm.
I think GM tries to balance the ratio of quickness and firmness with longevity and realibility.
I personally own a 6sp manual and I can adjust the shift firmness and speed at any time, no tuning required.
It is not for everyone though.....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Actually, the shift happens very quickly, but there is a delay before it even starts to shift. I've read that the 2007's have less of a delay. However, I've been told by my Service Advisor that there is no bulletin to update the software to reduce the delay to the 2007 levels.
Someone with a 2007 A6 said that his didn't seem to be any better. You can get used to the delay, but you shouldn't have to. Maybe for 2008...
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
So...
I can understand that the A6, when it shifts, is faster than the M6.
The F1 shifts immediately upon button push. Does the A6 do that or does it still calculate the optimum shifting moment and thus "delay" the actual shift?
Aw forget the question. I got the M6 and I really don't care if the A6 delays or not. Autos are simply not for me or a sports car.
Elmer
I can understand that the A6, when it shifts, is faster than the M6.
The F1 shifts immediately upon button push. Does the A6 do that or does it still calculate the optimum shifting moment and thus "delay" the actual shift?
Aw forget the question. I got the M6 and I really don't care if the A6 delays or not. Autos are simply not for me or a sports car.
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; Jan 5, 2007 at 03:31 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 334
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Somebody told me that when the transmission shifts the throttle actually closes while the transmission is shifting. Is there any truth to that? That might be why the A6 delays a bit before the shift.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
There are alot of things that could happen when you push the shift button but I only think the engineers know for sure at this time. The cmputer goes though some checks, the car is defueled(this may also happen on the manuals), there are circuits and clutches that need to be activated in the transmission itself.