Jaylars

I have a 17 GS A8. When I get on it (WOT) from a slow turn to a fast straight or from a dead stop to about 60-70mph the trans drops out of drive mode to Manual mode and then sticks in either 4th or 5th. This happens when I start to back off the throttle to maintain a constant speed. In other words it is not finishing its shifts to higher gears when around 60-70 mph or so. I have to use the paddles to 6th, 7th, and sometimes 8th.

Any idea what this is all about.

Dif

It's going into Performance mode and does this in anticipation you're racing as if holding off accelerating through a turn.
Since you're backing off the the throttle it holds that gear.
If you wait a little longer after backing off the throttle, it will settle back into Auto and shift on it''s own again.
If you don't back off the throttle and accelerate more, it will keep up shifting

djnice

Maybe this video will help explain performance shift. I haven't watched it all.

Jaylars

Thanks brother, explains everything. I know why you haven't watched the whole thing, jeez that guy has to work on those speaking skills.

Obviously, I'm a newb and apparently, I'm an aggressive driver as well.

djnice

I recommend you put a little extra air in the tires (you may not need extra air) and take it out on a cool morning. Then go manual mode and see if you can get the tires spinning in 1st and keep them spinning when you shift to 2nd. Also, do that in a corner. Even in auto mode it will pull the shift to second and keep you spinning in the corner. Its something I missing going to the M7.

vbdenny

Just pull the upshift paddle and it'll shift up. Maybe ECO mode would help but never tried it.