I have a 2016 Z51 A8 with around 38,000 miles on it. Earlier this year I noticed a delay/jerk when going from P to R. It wasnt a big concern for me so I ignored it for a while until I began feeling as though the transmission was shifting weird when actually driving. I took it into the dealership and they said everything was fine with the transmission aside from a slight shudder which could potentially be fixed with a trans flush. I hadn’t even noticed any shudder until they said anything but it seemed to be happening in V4 mode so I was hopeful a range device or even a trans flush like they suggested would fix that issue.



Fast forward to now and I feel like the shifting has gotten worse. The first shift from 1st to 2nd is always delayed/rough and feels that way pretty consistently in the shifts to 2nd thereafter. The shift into 3rd is rough at times as well. My corvette is my daily driver so I notice this poor shifting constantly when in traffic or driving in parking lots where I’m frequently have to accelerate from stops. It feels like the trans is forcing the shift into 2nd no matter what as I’ve had a couple instances of braking before shifting to 2nd and the whole car will jerk while applying the brakes because it still forces that shift into 2nd. 1st - 3rd feels rough as whole right now even during downshifts.


So two weeks ago I brought it back to the dealership and described what I’ve been experiencing. They essentially had a tech drive it and told me there was definitely something going on with the transmission but I would need to leave it with them longer before their transmission tech would be able to look at it. I needed my car in the meantime so I picked it up and told them I would bring it back in a week. I dropped it off again this past Wednesday and they told me it would take up to a week before they could look at it as their trans tech was backed up. Two days later on Friday afternoon they texted me and said my car was ready to pickup and there was nothing wrong with it. They said their transmission tech drove the car/checked it out and my fluid levels are good and everything else is “within spec”. Naturally I’m confused because a week prior someone else drove it and said there was definitely something going on with the transmission and now they’re saying it’s completely fine.



I don’t know how I should proceed from here. Do I bring it somewhere else and see what they say? Do I have the trans flush done in hopes that it fixes my problems? Do I get a range device and see if that helps? Should I ask the dealership to clear my transmission adaptations to see if that helps?

 

Get a new mechanic.

The trans probably just needs to go through the relearn process.

At least this is where I'd start.

 

If it hasn't been done, for sure do the triple flush, long over due. Yes, get a plug in 4 cyl disabler. I used one from Amazon that worked perfect, $49. After hearing about these shift issues, I started using manual/paddle shift mode. Your trans will shift 1/2 as much as in auto mode. I also only shift down to second gear when driving, not all the way to 1st gear. 1st is to low of gear if you are just driving around town. I got tired of the disabler device. I finally did the VLOM mod, this mechanically deletes the 4 cyl mode, now I don't need the device.

 

I had a similar problem with my 2016 A8 C7. I would occasionally get a hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear, especially when cold. I purchased the car with an extended warranty. I figured the triple flush would help. I had to go to a few dealerships to find one that would perform the service under warranty. I brought a copy of the GM TSB and told them that I was experiencing a shudder. I've had no issues since the triple flush service.

 

Excellent recommendation!
Relearn will generally resolve hard shifts, delayed shifts, etc.
These electronic transmissions are really smart but they do need an occasional tune up.
I too, would start here first..

 

If I was to purchase a used C7, there is no way I would not get the triple flush as a precaution.