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My 2016 with 4K miles on the clock continues to hesitate on the initial 1st to 2nd shift. It is the only problem with this trans. Question: Has anyone been successful in "adaptive learning" this problem out? Or, is there a "flash" program that will eliminate this delay. It only delays on the first shift after the car has been sitting for more than one hour approx. All other shifts ( 1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc) are perfect. There are none of the other complaints with the A8 that have been listed on this forum.
At 6K miles on my '16, 03/16 built car the A8 seems to have gotten better. I think this is something we have to get used to my friend, or as they say, "It'll do that." I just start out of my driveway slow, give it a chance to go into second easily the first time, and it's good to go after that. And mine is only at the first shift of the day. It's OK the rest of the day. I hope there's nothing seriously wrong with your's my friend. And hopefully someone else will chime in that's more help than me. Good luck.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; Apr 22, 2017 at 01:41 PM.
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Do you know the build date of your 2016? The factory began installing a different torque converter on 10/28/2015. Part of the symptoms that led to that change was a delay going into Reverse from Park after the car sat for a while. Fluid would partially drain out of the assembly and take a few minutes to get back in again, then it would shift fine.
When driving in the morning the first time it shifts from first to second it hesitates before making the shift. I think I've seen others mention it here. I tried this and it stopped it from doing it on the first 1-2 shift of the day.
In the morning while your still in the garage before moving your car put the transmission selector all the way down past "D" and in to "M". The indicator tells you it's in 1st on the dash. Shift the paddle shift once to bump it into 2nd. You'll barely feel it shift. That's it. Put it back in drive or reverse and you're good to go. I tried it and the first 1-2 shift of the day was perfect.
Kinda lame. But it works.
Last edited by Randy G.; Apr 20, 2017 at 04:37 PM.
I just start out of my driveway slow, give it a chance to go into second easily the first time, and it's go to go after that. And mine is only at the first shift of the day. It's OK the rest of the day.
Common problem especially when the car has not been driven for a while. Mine used to do it quite often but now rarely as I have gotten in the habit of letting the car idle for about a minute before driving off. Another trick is to start the car and put the tranny in M before driving off. Upshift to 2nd gear while sitting still then back to 1st gear. Then put tranny in R or D and drive off. Kind of a pain but seems to work. Your car may well get better as you get more miles on it. Good luck.
Last edited by rmorin1249; Apr 20, 2017 at 03:25 PM.
At 6K miles on my '16, 03/16 built car the A8 seems to have gotten better. I think this is something we have to get used to my friend, or as they say, "It'll do that." I just start out of my driveway slow, give it a chance to go into second easily the first time, and it's go to go after that. And mine is only at the first shift of the day. It's OK the rest of the day. I hope there's nothing seriously wrong with your's my friend. And hopefully someone else will chime in that's more help than me. Good luck.
I just start out of my driveway slow, give it a chance to go into second easily the first time, and it's go to go after that. And mine is only at the first shift of the day. It's OK the rest of the day.
My experience has been the opposite wrt the slow drive away. Mine is a 2016 with about 5K miles and occasionally exhibits the abrupt shift, and also only on the first shift of the day. However, it only does so if I pull away very slow and easy. If I simply accelerate modestly, the first shift is buttery smooth. I also let the engine warm up about a minute before before backing out of the garage. Both of these actions seem to alleviate the problem, at least on mine.
My 2016, build date 6/29/15, serial nbr 5100658. After reading the replies to this thread, I tried backing out of my garage on to the street, shifting into "M" then shifting into 2nd with paddle shifter while setting still, then driving away in 2nd gear. The car moved out with no indications of strain (no shaking, shuddering, etc) to the first stop sign when I shifted to "D". All of the next 1st to 2nd shifts were PERFECT!! This will be my modus operande from now on. NO more funky 1st to 2nd gear shifts after the car has set for several hours.
My 2016, build date 6/29/15, serial nbr 5100658. After reading the replies to this thread, I tried backing out of my garage on to the street, shifting into "M" then shifting into 2nd with paddle shifter while setting still, then driving away in 2nd gear. The car moved out with no indications of strain (no shaking, shuddering, etc) to the first stop sign when I shifted to "D". All of the next 1st to 2nd shifts were PERFECT!! This will be my modus operande from now on. NO more funky 1st to 2nd gear shifts after the car has set for several hours.
My 2016, build date 6/29/15, serial nbr 5100658. After reading the replies to this thread, I tried backing out of my garage on to the street, shifting into "M" then shifting into 2nd with paddle shifter while setting still, then driving away in 2nd gear. The car moved out with no indications of strain (no shaking, shuddering, etc) to the first stop sign when I shifted to "D". All of the next 1st to 2nd shifts were PERFECT!! This will be my modus operande from now on. NO more funky 1st to 2nd gear shifts after the car has set for several hours.
Glad all you guys are finding fixes that will make it easier for me when my Z06 A8 arrives in the first week of JUNE. I am sure mine wont be perfect even though I am crossing my fingers but I don't mind dealing with these little methods . Thanks for your input Guys!
If you respect your car you will always let it idle for a bit before you select D and take off. That is something that I do with any car that I drive, not just the pretty sports cars.
At a minimum you should wait for full oil pressure before you drive a car and it is surprising how long that can take, especially with a big V-8.
And if that eliminates that first hard shift then I would let it idle a bit and then just love on that beautiful Vette.
Last edited by JimNeedsC7; Apr 21, 2017 at 07:09 PM.
I don't know if its my imagination, but the trans seems to all around shift better with Range installed. It's crazy that turning off AFM would affect the first 1 to 2 shift since AFM is not engaged at that speed.
At 6K miles on my '16, 03/16 built car the A8 seems to have gotten better. I think this is something we have to get used to my friend, or as they say, "It'll do that." I just start out of my driveway slow, give it a chance to go into second easily the first time, and it's good to go after that. And mine is only at the first shift of the day. It's OK the rest of the day. I hope there's nothing seriously wrong with your's my friend. And hopefully someone else will chime in that's more help than me. Good luck.
Same exact here. I go real easy on the first 1-2 and drive normally after that. No issues at all except when I give too much gas on the first 1-2. My car was built 04/16. 6200 miles on mine.
A8 1st to 2nd shift
