I have searched a few times and found something similar, but not found any good answers. This may be a stupid question, but here goes...

I drive on a lot of back roads, with speed limits typically aroung 40 to 50 mph. I mainly drive the car (03 Avant, 1.8TQTip) in Drive, but find that at the speeds I typically drive, the car tends to stay in 4th, at around 2200 rpm. This tends to drive me nuts, because I feel like I would rather be in 5th. So, I flick over to "manual" and shift into 5th, then back over to Drive. The car seems happy to do so and will remain in 5th.

I have only had the car for a month. I really like it otherwise, it's just this one minor annoyance.

Anyway, my question is... is this likely to do any harm to the car? I drive for mileage, not speed (and before anyone comments on my choice of tranny let me just say that this was the only CPO Avant in 3 states that was in a condition I was happy with; I took what I got). And I must admit my last car was a TDI VW with DSG, which typically had lower shift points than my A4.

I thank you in advance for any input!

Laura

 

IMO you should keep your car above 2k rpm...

 

It shouldn't have any adverse effects on your car. The ECU is programmed to shift the car as efficiently as possible so it may just detect that you are in need the power and keeps you in 4th. Since the tip lets you override theECU's shiftpoints manually, it shouldn't be a problem. I would assume that if the tip function had any dramatic negative effects, they would stop making it.

 

i have the same car, just not the waggon. i always have it in manual, sport if i get really lazy so i can't say anything about drive.

 

Again, thanks for the advice.

I was more concerned with the somewhat frequent switching between Tip and Drive, as opposed to driving continuously with either Drive, Tip or Sport.

As far as keeping the rpms above 2000, what is the concern if you don't? I'm not arguing the concept, I just haven't heard that before. What happens?