I have a 2008 with the 6 speed automatic transmission. I have been concerned with the transmission ever since it was new. At low speeds - like if I have my foot off the gas and am coasting - when I step on the gas again, the transmission seems like it is not in gear. Then it will slam into gear and operate normally. It's sort of like it is in neutral and then goes into gear.

I've asked the dealer about it twice and he keeps telling me it is something called "torque control". To me this is BS.

I also notice something I've heard referred to as "sag". At low speeds the car feels like it is going to bog down when you step on it.

Anybody have any TSBs or thought of how I might explain the transmission and "sag" issues to the dealer?

Thanks!

 

why would'nt you take it to the dealer anyway?

 

I also seem to have the same issue with my 08 A6. Always hesitates when you step on it then goes strong. I am planning a trans tune with Chuck from COW next month. Claims to give great results. I will report back when tuned on 10/18/09.

 

Although a tranny tune makes a big difference with the A6, what you describe does not seem normal. I have an 06 A6 and mine has never experienced the "slamming into gear" issue that you describe. It may be best to find a dealer that will listen to you and not give you the run around.

 

If you are coasting and then get back hard on the gas there is a hesatation. That is normal, but it can be tuned out. The slaming feel might be the trans dropping back into a lower gear. Before you get that slaming does the rpm go up first? Or does it feel like there is no power for a second?

 

I guy I work with had the same issue. He took it back to the dealer and loaded some new trans update for him. He said its way better. Hope this helps. I also go to another dealer, they should have known about the updates

 

My 2008 does it as well. My 2006 A6 did not so naturally I was concerned. I took it back to my purchasing dealer and it was diagnosed as a more aggressive torque management program. I've since driven two other 2008's with the same issue.

You can get a tune or just live with the hesitation.

 

It is normal. 07 A6 here.

 

I was going around 45MPH in "D" preparing to enter a Freeway but needed to safely jump in front of a Honda Civic who was already accelerating in the Entrance Ramp Lane. I pushed the Accelerator and the car seemed to just bog down and not accelerate at all, so I kicked it to the floor hoping it would drop down a gear or two and do something! Well it did kick down, but into what felt like "Neutral" The engine was just wailing, but I was still not going anywhere! This totally Perplexed me! As soon as I let up on the pedal, all seemed normal again. I have not been able to reproduce this again. I know the Dealer will more than likely be clueless unless I can demonstrate this. Has anyone had this happen to them or know of any Service Bulletins that might address it?

 

I have a 08 a6,, seems to do it going from 3rd to 4th.. only dos it when I am crusin and never happens when I am WOT.. dealership had no clue what it was.. Does it feel like it is getting hit with a hammer when it changes gear after it "stalls"

 

I have an 08 and haven't noticed any of that. I'll try to duplicate your situation (it'll be hard to find the Civic, but I'll try the rest) and let you know what happens.

 

As stated above , get a tune. Well woth it , especially with an automatic.

 

Let COW tune it and see how it feels

 

I had similar experiences with mine. I believe you are experiencing torque management. You need a transmission tune from some one who knows what they are doing.

 

I tried several ways to simulate your experience. I could not. If I press it suddenly to the floor at 45 mph, it does kick down and rev very high as it is accelerating, but there is no slipping or clunking.

 

The mail order tuning of the Corvette A6 transmission has always been a bit tough since the module is actually in the transmission itself, yet the tuning is one of the best gains you can do to a stock A6 vehicle.

Any performance enthusiast can appreciate faster shifts, less torque management, etc etc, but it was something we had to do in person, or you needed to purchase a tuning software system at a fairly hefty expense, especially when you add the cost of the tune on top of it. That also required the time to install your software, then walk yourself through the program for the first time, which can be a little time consuming for the average individual. Realistically all most want to do is down load a tune quickly, keep your original files for any reason, and go have fun without taking on a new hobby to do so.

Well we finally have the answer, ECS will offer our A6 trans tunes, along with our mail order tunes in a simple to use handheld programmer. We have been working on this for a little while now, and we are ready to go!

The hand held programmer, with both a PCM (engine) and TCM (trans) tunes are $495 shipped within the US.

You can download your tunes with a simple to follow programmer that walks you through it step by step, very fast and simple!

Finally the C6's have the ability to easily remote tune the transmissions like the C5's have been doing for years!

Thanks, Doug

 

I think that bogging down is probably normal and the torque management. I'd highly recommend a COW tune from Chuck - it'll be a different beast, and has lots of other benefits (actually starts to use 1 in S mode also).

If you're not throwing codes (check engine light) the dealer probably doesn't want to pull the transmission and open it up (understandable). I was and you can tell when you have a more serious transmission problem. Mine was a manufacturing defect where there was a burn through at the end of a weld on the 4-5 clutch bell housing.

Personally, if I were going to buy a tuner to do it myself I'd look into getting an EFILive from COW with one of his tunes as well. I didn't go that route, because with my propensity to tinker, I'd probably make a hobby out of tweaking it and eventually mess it up ;-) Chuck has also posted instructions on pulling the transmission TCM to send in in past threads. I haven't done it, but it doesn't look too involved if you're handy with a wrench.

 

Once upon a time....

It's been many years since then...Your feelings were hurt....you felt like a wimp.....people still make fun of you till this day......You always REGRETTED buying that AUTOMATIC VETTE...... If you could only go back in time and change the past..... You would buy the stick shift VETTE, BE COOL, GO RACING WITH THE BOYS, and FEEL LIKE A MAN DRIVING A MANS CAR, and NEVER TURN DOWN A CHALLENGE!!!

BUT REMEMBER! REVENGE IS SWEET!

STICKS WATCH YOUR BACKS...Cause the A6's ARE GONNA ATTACK!!!
Chuck CoW

 

I really appreciate all your comments and suggestions about my Shifting Problem! The more I think about Tuning the Transmission,
the more it really makes since. This car was bought with an Automatic mainly because of my wife's broken ankle. I have always had Manual Shift cars and haven't really thought about the ability to "Tune" these newer High Tech Transmissions. My unhappiness does mainly stem from the way this car reacts to my foot and accelerator pedal.
I am still clueless as to why it kicked down into some lower gear that felt an awful lot like "NEUTRAL". I will discuss that issue further with my dealer. -- Thanks again for all your help! This Board is GREAT!

 

Best mod for the money for an A6!!