Tiguan Auto Diesel Gear Issue

[dblvee]

Had my new Tiguan 103TDI auto delivered last week.
It's great, but after a day or so of driving, I noticed that in Drive it
always pulls away in 2nd gear.
But if I use Sport or Tiptronic it will use 1st gear to pull away.

I thought it was a fault and went back to the dealer to demonstrate
the issue.
They said they hadn't seen this before.
But when the dealer compared it to another new Tiguan 103TDI auto it
was the same story.
So, the dealer deduced this was not a fault at all.

Anyway, when I got home I went through the manuals from top to toe
and found a small Supplement that had been added to the manuals
entitled.....
"Supplement - Tiguan - Technical Modifications - Edition 11.2008"
It said:
"Vehicles with a diesel engine will pull away in 2nd gear"

Is this a new thing for 2009 Tiguan 103TDI auto?

I have driven the 2008 Passat diesel auto and it always uses
1st gear to pull away.
I would have thought the heavier Tiguan would also use 1st to
pull away when in Drive.

Sure, if you really plant your foot in Drive it will kick from 2nd
to 1st and then take off in a jump, but it sure isn't a smooth take
off as 1st isn't pre-selected, as it is in 2nd by default.

Has anyone any thoughts on why VW has made this "Technical Modification"
I assume 2008 models use the full range of gears.

[brh1978]

The Diesel Tig has always taken off in 2nd gear, they do it in every market. It is a topic that has been discussed in other forums and appears to be the norm.

My 147TSI always takes off in 1st, but I sometimes think it would be better if it took off in 2nd when in D...as it only stays in 1st for a second or two.

Hope this helps.

[NZTiguan]

Brh1978 is correct the diesel has always started in 2nd. The reasoning is pretty simple A: 1st gear is a low crawler gear best used for off-road work B: The diesel has a lot of torque and that is available at low revs (in comparison to a petrol engine) so 2nd gear is perfectly fine and C: It's the most economic way to drive and the "D" setting is specifically designed to be as economic as possible. So, less wear and tear, no noticeable depreciation in performance and better fuel consumption, all plusses in my book. As you say you can "stamp" it down into first if you must OR use "S" or use tiptronic, so there's plenty of ways around it.

This gearbox is actually very clever (well it's computer program is) as evidenced by it's changing down for engine braking and maintaining the revs in the most economic "zone" downhill etc which older transmissions won't do. There's a lot been written about it and I'd have to say it's by far and away the best auto I've ever used in a diesel vehicle.

Cheers

[dblvee]

Thanks for your replies.

Yes there is always S or tiptronic if 1st gear is required.

The transmission is the smoothest I have ever driven and as you
say the changing down and engine braking is smart.
All in all it is a great vehicle :-)