Hill Start Assist Advice

[GTI mk6]

Hi everyone,

firstly I have done a quick search on this subject (new to forums) and it didnt come up with any.....
I am sure someone will let me know otherwise :brutal:

Only done 700kms in new GTI, but finding hill start assist makes a reasonable "creaking sound"
when about to accelerate when its activated.
Went to drive away from my work place after backing up to roller door last week and as I was on
a slight rise it was obviously enought to activate it....of course it creaked, next minute work mates
heads come up and all look in my direction like....."female drivers etc" was a bit embarrassed and
how "un" cool!

So does it get better with time, once brake pads have bedded in etc, or do you guys wait for it
to "de" activate before driving off? Not easy on a hill? I have a DSG gearbox by the way.
Seems worse when car is cold, but it wasnt cold when driving away from work.
Dont recall demo sounding this loud (radio was OFF by the way during 3 hr test drive) and ears
tuned to any noises.....
Should mention thats its not excessive or anything, just not keen on the "creak noise" each time

Thanks in advance :banana:

[sillygogo]

not sure on the GTI, however on the 118TSi, there is a creak noise if you accelerate straight away. I usually wait about 0.3 of a second. Kind of feeling the car start to roll back then you gentle accelerate. If its a really large incline..then use the hand brake to assist.

[cameronp]

Yeah, I get the same creak noise and the car almost starts to roll back as you pull away. I'd always assumed that this is normal. Smooth acceleration from a standstill is the one thing that a traditional automatic does better than a DSG.

I've also discovered that hill start assist doesn't function in reverse gear, i.e. if you're on a downhill slope, the car will initially roll forwards in reverse. Made for a bit of an embarrassing parallel parking moment as I narrowly avoided rolling into somebody else's car.

[ryano]

8000kms in and my GTI makes the same noise so its unlikely that it's going to go away, it doesn't sound that bad? Always figured it was just the way the system slowly disengages the brake

and I think the HSA still works in reverse, I back out of my driveway everyday, wait for the garage rollerdoor to go down while still in reverse and braking and the HSA always engages as my driveway is on a slight downward angle.

[Cossor]

I grew up on manual cars. was hard to adapt to auto. Must admit still keep foot on foot brake to ensure full control when moving off on any slope.
(Helps also at traffic light derby)

[MkVIGTI]

I let the hill start assist de-activate before applying throttle. A little bit of the creaking sound can still be heard but then again, the 6 speed DSG box in the GTI will not let you roll backwards like the new 7 speed ones so I guess it's easier to drive away with it de-activated.

[Mr_Bob]

Just a thought,
does it make the same noise when using launch control on a hill?

[GTI mk6]

Just a thought,
does it make the same noise when using launch control on a hill?
Sorry dont know as I havent tried that.

Thanks everyone though for your input and advise, had been thinking to wait a little for HSA to "dis"engage first.
Too used to either manual or full auto cars (first time Ive had HSA also)
Again great to get others input, this forum is a great way to find info (for this first time Golf & Euro owner)

[thelairster]

Hill start assist will make that noise. My dad's porsche does it so I expect it is something that you just have to get used to. +1 for lack of hill start assist in reverse causing a few moments! Still need that handbrake.

[docjames]

On my MkV the hill start seems to creak more the slower you move off the brake - release suddenly and hit the accelerator positivly (ie. not squeeze but press firmly to desired depth) and it seems to creak less. Slow release of brake and/or slow on accelerator and it does seem to creak a lot.

It's just the brakes releasing as the power transmits so it's not damaging anything (but does sound average).

[GTI mk6]

Again thanks guys for your "positive" input.
I will try some suggestions .....sigh...once I get my car back from dealership - hopefully this Sat.
If no one close to car, it doesnt really faze me....knew the guys were thinking I had crunched something on the day and
couldnt be bothered explaining it was HSA, didnt want to give them any amo to bag my car - LOL.
This gal has lots to learn and mostly enjoys reading these posts to gain more knowledge, so much apreciated

[Corey_R]

The "Hill Start Assist" works by literally leaving the brakes applied after you've taken your foot off them to press the acceleator. So the creaking sound should be expected :)

[GTI mk6]

Hill start assist will make that noise. My dad's porsche does it so I expect it is something that you just have to get used to. +1 for lack of hill start assist in reverse causing a few moments! Still need that handbrake.


Yeah, I get the same creak noise and the car almost starts to roll back as you pull away. I'd always assumed that this is normal. Smooth acceleration from a standstill is the one thing that a traditional automatic does better than a DSG.

I've also discovered that hill start assist doesn't function in reverse gear, i.e. if you're on a downhill slope, the car will initially roll forwards in reverse. Made for a bit of an embarrassing parallel parking moment as I narrowly avoided rolling into somebody else's car.

Hey guys,
read this directly from the owners manual

The Hill hold assist is activated automatically
Conditions: points 1-3 must be fulfilled at the same time

1. The "stationary" vehicle is held in position on an incline with the footbrake.
2. The engine is running "smoothly"
3. The gear R,D or S (DSG) has been selected or Ist, Reverse (manual g/box)

So, have your cars been completely stationary when changing from eg. D to R?
I know that I had almost completely stopped on an incline at work to reverse into a parking space and after taking my foot off the brake the
car immediately rolled forward.
Next time I will make sure its completely"stationary" first then go from D to R (old habit from driving auto's)

The Hill hold assist function will be "deactivated" immediately
if gear selector is in neutral position "N"
If engine is not running smoothly or there is an engine fault
If engine is switched off or has stalled
If just one of the tyres does not have solid contact to the ground eg if the vehicle is standing at an angle to the fall line)

Hope this helps?


The "Hill Start Assist" works by literally leaving the brakes applied after you've taken your foot off them to press the acceleator. So the creaking sound should be expected :)

Thanks Coreying, I understood the concept, just wondered (or more like hoped hehe) if the creaking would get quieter once my brake pads had bedded in,
as just under 1000 kms at the moment.
Had run this by one of the VW service guys and he took a wait and see approach answer, so thought I would ask ahead of time because
of what happened that day at work.
I do like this option, good to now know its not just my car thats "creaking"
Hey, they must have forgot to put in the manual that a "creaking sound" is quiet normal.....he he he

So then a thread was started......LOL

[MW103DSG]

Hi,
I have a 103 TDI DSG and what you report happens exactly as you stated.
I am not letting it bother me. I think part of it is the brakes settling. When I park my car in my drive which has a fair slope, it creaks when I sit in the car. As for hill start, I get the same creak when the brakes release as I press on the accelerator. This occurs in D and R.




Hey guys,
read this directly from the owners manual

The Hill hold assist is activated automatically
Conditions: points 1-3 must be fulfilled at the same time

1. The "stationary" vehicle is held in position on an incline with the footbrake.
2. The engine is running "smoothly"
3. The gear R,D or S (DSG) has been selected or Ist, Reverse (manual g/box)

So, have your cars been completely stationary when changing from eg. D to R?
I know that I had almost completely stopped on an incline at work to reverse into a parking space and after taking my foot off the brake the
car immediately rolled forward.
Next time I will make sure its completely"stationary" first then go from D to R (old habit from driving auto's)

The Hill hold assist function will be "deactivated" immediately
if gear selector is in neutral position "N"
If engine is not running smoothly or there is an engine fault
If engine is switched off or has stalled
If just one of the tyres does not have solid contact to the ground eg if the vehicle is standing at an angle to the fall line)

Hope this helps?



Thanks Coreying, I understood the concept, just wondered (or more like hoped hehe) if the creaking would get quieter once my brake pads had bedded in,
as just under 1000 kms at the moment.
Had run this by one of the VW service guys and he took a wait and see approach answer, so thought I would ask ahead of time because
of what happened that day at work.
I do like this option, good to now know its not just my car thats "creaking"
Hey, they must have forgot to put in the manual that a "creaking sound" is quiet normal.....he he he

So then a thread was started......LOL