2003 2.7T only 30k miles (it is allroad but the power train is the same as A6). When I start the car in the morning (~40F air temperature), I let idle for 30 secs and drive off. The gear does not shift into 2nd until rpm reaches 3000, and then follows a sudden shift with jerk. This phenomenon occurs even when I drive off after work from a parking lot (temperature ~70F). But if the car is run for a while, and I stop at a shop for a coffee or at a traffic light, and drive off, it does not happen. Is this normal with 2.7T engine? Owned it only 6 months - so not so familiar with this car.

 

Mine does the same thing, and I noticed the same in a few test drives with other carsas well- it just seems to be the way the car reacts the first time from 1st to 2nd when the engine (or perhaps tranny)isn't fully warmed up. I find myself using the trip to "force" it to shift into 2nd for the first time, and then after that I don't seem to worry about it.

If anyone has more details about why this occurs or the technical aspects behind it, I'm all ears.

 

Its normal, the only reason it does not shift is because the fluid is not quite up to temp yet so the computer keeps it from shifting so it can heat up the fluid in the torque converter and valve body.
It should drive normally when it reaches over 30 degrees celcuis, which is about 3-5 minutes of driving time.

 

auditech79: thanks for your excellent answer. Is the forcing with tiptronics fine (I do the same like Costner)? I guess the question is whether tiptronics uses tranny oil or not..

 

The tiptronic function just manipulates theTCM to shift gears, you really shouldn't shift gears until the fluid has warmed up a bit but its not gonna really damage anything. The TCM won't allow you do do anything with the transmission if its gonna damage any componets, like downshifting to first using tip when going 30 mph, it won't let you.