I have a 2016 2LT A8 w/ Z51. I hear a lot of A8 trashing on the forum but never really hear of the specific issues with the A8. Those of you that were victims of the A8 problems, what were the symptoms and when did they start? I now have 3500 miles on mine and I think it's good but I'm not sure what to be looking for. If I feel what I think is a hard shift, I get all paranoid that it's the beginning of problems.

 

The specifics of the issues are all over the forum.

Read here for everything you would want to know:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-failure.html

 

^^^ That's what I was looking for. Thank you.

 

I think a lot of imagined problem's with the A8 is coming from the converter lock-up, and how it's programmed to lock up in more gears than just the top gear. It appears to some that the tranny is slipping, but in fact it's preforming as designed.

 

My best advice, which I clearly do not follow myself, is to buy the car and then not visit the forum again unless you have a question or problem!


But CF is a fun place to visit, so I hang around. Regarding the A8, I am as paranoid as the last person. The downside of reading the posts is that you start to think every bump is now a shudder, every shift is a slip . .. etc.


So my little list of checks, which I do less and less . . . is this:
1. Occasionally turn on cruise control and watch for fluctuations in RPM.
2. If you think it's shuddering (like I have) change suspension settings to see if it goes away (which it did). In this case, it's the road.
3. It should not have problems going into reverse after sitting overnight or a few months (mine never did this)
4. Change the display so you can see the V8/V4 change as you drive. I simply cannot feel this with mine. As I am paranoid by nature, I added a Range AFM defeater (which HAS caused an occasional, but easily reversible, problem)


In Auto mode, you can expect an occasional rough shift if the transmission is about to downshift, like for a stoplight, and you change your mind and accelerate (like it turns green). I came from a rather nice DCT transmission, and it does the same thing in this situation. Except the DCT was more of a jolt, given the design.


Personally, I do a lot of driving in M mode because I do like control over shifting going into curves and when accelerating. If decelerating for curves I do the shifting, if coming to a full stop I let the transmission downshift.

 

The biggest uncertainty is more about the AFM micro-slips that are programmed into the TCM logic. There is little way to tell by the butt dyno if the slips are out of normal operating parameters or not.

 

I check mine from time to time... typically when I am passing people. There are a few little quirks when cruising in slo-mo. It shifts a little soft, shutters sort of but that usually only happens when switching between 4 and 8 cylinders. Some times I get a delayed engagement right after coming to a stop. All minor crap that most automatics do that most never notice.

However when I am stuck behind someone doing 40 in a 55 and there are 3 cars between me and him and we hit a passing zone I notice that it will do 40 to 105 in a blink of an eye and the shifting is just amazing. That's when I realize I am overthinking the slow shifts. 15K miles on it and still going strong.

 

The thing that I learned today that I seem to be experiencing is the rough road fill. The road appears to me smooth but it feels very bumpy. That is one of the symptoms of a bum tranny from what I am reading. As I feel this bumpy road feel, I will slip the car into neutral and it seems to lessen. Now I will just obsess about this instead on enjoying the ride.

 

Just a thought: If you happen to have mag suspension just try going to the softer setting. If it gets better it's not the transmission.

 

"However when I am stuck behind someone doing 40 in a 55 and there are 3 cars between me and him and we hit a passing zone I notice that it will do 40 to 105 in a blink of an eye and the shifting is just amazing. That's when I realize I am overthinking the slow shifts. "

Mine has a similar problem whenever it sees open road ahead. I would take it in to my dealer but I'm afraid he might fix it

 

My best suggestion my friend is just drive that Corvette, and don't even think about the tranny. Let it do it's thing. That way you can enjoy your car. Don't let the negative nellie's screw up the good thing you've got. And, if anything happens it's under warranty.

 

This is my car and the rpm fluctuating is NOT normal. My car no longer goes into v4 mode so it no longer flucuates like this.

The pleasure of driving is much more enjoyable. v4 and my car just doesn't work right. Had the TC changed and the rpm issue in v4 did not go away.

https://youtu.be/neeSDWa7M3w

 

If you ever have the trans fail like mine did at 600 miles with shifts so hard it felt like you were hit from behind and the service manager telling you it was dangerous to drive you won't have to have to depend on your imagination.

 

Yeah, common dude, it's not like the A8 has any known and well documented issues with multiple part revisions and handfuls of TSBs issued and many complaint threads all over the interwebz in every single platform the A8 is in...




Oh wait...

 

what do you mean?

 

Not what I was talking about Red.