Audi S-tronic gearbox: what it is, how it works, what problems arise

The design of manual and automatic transmissions is constantly being improved. Each of these design types of transmissions has both its advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage of the classic automatic transmission is the disconnection of power when changing gears. That is why many automakers have developed and are developing modernized automatic transmissions that allow gear changes without a loss of power.

Features of the S-Tronic gearbox on Audi cars

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Audi’s S-tronic gearbox was based on the operating principle of a manual gearbox; it has a pair of shafts and a pair of clutches. This feature allows you to change gears very quickly, since the power flow at this time is interrupted with a minimum interval.

The gearbox has a highly complex design, but despite this it can be combined well with quattro all-wheel drive, as well as with different engines, for example, TDI or TFSI, and its compact dimensions allow it to be installed on any model, even one that has a very small engine compartment space.

The S-tronic gearbox on Audi is designed for 7 speeds, and the torque is maintained up to 550 Nm. Such fast gear changes are possible thanks to the tiptronic system, while one gear is set, the system simultaneously keeps the next gear almost engaged, so the transition to the next speed is practically unnoticeable. The box has a self-diagnosis system; if any faults are detected, the driver receives an error notification.

Exterior of S-Tronic Audi

Compact dimensions

One of the strengths of the preselective 7-speed gearboxes created by the Volkswagen concern is the relatively small overall dimensions of the unit. Thanks to this feature, this robotic gearbox can be used on compact cars with limited engine compartment space. That is why S-Tronic is in demand today in various small cars, where installing a full-fledged six- or seven-speed automatic transmission is extremely difficult.

Thus, in a city compact car of the Audi brand, thanks to the development of a preselective unit, it has become possible to use multi-stage automatic transmissions or manual transmissions, which contributes to the realization of the dynamic potential of the engine, economical fuel consumption, and increased safety.

Pros and cons of the DSG S tronic robot box

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A high-tech robotic box has all the positive qualities inherent in both traditional mechanical devices and automatic machines. Thanks to the electronic control unit, which operates using complex circuits and algorithms, driving the vehicle is more comfortable.

Car owners who own a vehicle with a DSG S tronic preselective gearbox note the following advantages of their cars:

Relatively small dimensions and weight of the mechanism.
Improved car dynamics.
Smooth and, at the same time, fast acceleration of the car.
Instant speed switching (takes no more than 0.8 seconds).
Economical (fuel consumption savings - at least 10%).
The absence of a clutch pedal makes it easier to control the gearbox.

If some problems occur during operation of the robotic gearbox, the driver receives appropriate warnings. By contacting the service center in a timely manner, repairing the entire device is simplified. Using special diagnostic devices, qualified workers quickly find problems that have arisen in the vehicle and fix them in a short time.

Among the observed shortcomings, the following factors are noted:

the relatively high cost of the mechanism, which is reflected in the price of the entire car;
expensive qualified maintenance of the si-tronic, since partial or complete oil changes, as well as the oil filter, should be carried out only in specialized service centers;
complicated box design.

When the working units and parts of the differentials wear out, various negative symptoms begin to appear:

Dips, shocks during acceleration and transition to high speeds.
Vibrations when switching from first to second speed.

Advice: Experienced car owners recommend regularly changing the oil in the preselective transmission. In their authoritative opinion, the maximum mileage between these procedures should not exceed 40 - 50,000 km. Ignoring these recommendations may cause failure of the friction discs of the clutch mechanisms and malfunction of the solenoids. The s-tronic uses only original gear oil of the brand recommended by the car manufacturer. Simultaneously with replacing the lubricant, it is necessary to replace the oil filter so that the wear elements that are on the metal mesh of the filter element do not get back into the fresh ATP oil.

Recommended consumables and devices:

ATF oil G052529A2 - 6 liters.
Filter 0B5325330A.
Filter seal WHT005499A.
Pan gasket 0B5321371E.

Carrying out adaptation of the speed box

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S-Tronic repair is necessary if there are shocks (impacts) when shifting gears, or the vehicle accelerates worse. In some cases, special adaptation can normalize the functioning of the box. This procedure is relevant after scheduled repair work and begins with checking the clutch and mechatronics. Also, adaptation in motion is necessary.

Adaptation helps extend the life of this box. The need to carry out this procedure arises every 15,000 km. During this time period, deviations from normal operation may be observed. In particular, the car may begin to jerk when changing gears.

Explanations and causes of the most common BMW automatic transmission errors

The most popular fault codes are:

4F81, 4F82, 4F83, 4F84, 4F85 – control of the gear ratio of individual clutches (in order A, B, C, D, E). They appear mainly due to combustion or severe wear of friction clutches. When the box tries to switch to the next gear, the speed increases and, as a rule, it goes into emergency mode. Often these errors appear with the errors from point 2.
4F87, 4F88, 4F89, 4F8A, 4F8B, 4F8C, 4F8D, 4F8E, 4F8F, 4F90, 4F91, 4F92, 4F93, 4F94, 4F95, 4F96, 4F97, 4F9B – gear ratio control when shifting gears. These errors, just like in point 1, occur due to slipping when changing gears. The cause may be burnt or heavily worn friction clutches, worn mechatronics (valve unit) and its electromagnetic valves (solenoids), or worn sliding bushings.
4E84 – 4EE9 - error codes associated with malfunction of solenoid valves and sensors. Most often they occur due to an internal electronic malfunction of the automatic transmission control unit (located on the mechatronics electrical board), less often due to an electrical malfunction of the circuit of the solenoids themselves.

Is it worth buying a car with Audi S-tronic?

This transmission is designed for the premium Audi segment and is installed only on cars with engines with high power potential. S-tronic is ideal for a weekend car, intended for dynamic use or traveling on the highway and highways; purchasing a car with this transmission for daily use within the city is extremely impractical.

In addition, before purchasing a car with S-tronic Audi, it is important to calculate the cost and regulations for servicing or repairing the transmission. In the Russian Federation, you can find a certified car service center that will fix transmission faults with a guarantee only in large cities.

Pros and cons of the S-Tronic gearbox

Like any complex unit, such a box has both its pros and cons. The positive features of the s tronic system audi a6 c7 include:

Quick gear changes of the unit due to the design features of the transmission and the operation of the electronic unit. The average reaction time of the unit both when moving to the upper and lower stages is about 0.7 seconds.
Significant fuel savings of the unit compared to competitors. Based on the design of the system itself, in fact such a box is mechanical with an electronic control unit that independently depresses the clutch (one of two) and changes gear. This allows you to reduce fuel consumption, regardless of the class of the car, by an average of 15-18%, which also depends on the correct operation of the S-Tronic electronic unit.
Dynamics of car acceleration. Taking into account the reaction time of the box when switching, the dynamics of acceleration to 100 km/h are no different from mechanical competitors and are quite superior to their automatic counterparts - torque converters and CVTs. In combination with powerful engines, the difference between a tronic and a classic automatic is more dynamic acceleration.

Despite the technological advantage of the box and the undeniable positive aspects, this box also has negative features that may become an obstacle for some category of owners to purchase the unit. These include:

Uncomfortable unit switching in traffic jams. This feature also comes from the design. When driving at low speed for a long time, the S-Tronic clutch can overheat, which when shifting can lead to jolts, kicks, as well as chaotic “jumping” from 1st to 2nd gear.
Compared to competitors, the service life of the main parts of the system and, above all, the clutch, which some drivers have to change even before reaching 100 thousand km, are shorter. Designers are constantly improving the unit and this part of the system, but at the moment, in terms of the overall level of reliability, the robotic gearbox with Audi tronics has certain problems with long-term reliability.

Important! When choosing a used car with such a gearbox, close attention must be paid to the troubleshooting of the unit, since such cars are often sold with problematic gearboxes

Advantages and disadvantages of checkpoints

Each type of automatic transmission has its own advantages and disadvantages, which it is recommended to familiarize yourself with before using it. The Audi S-tronic transmission, thanks to its special structure, has the following advantages:

Fast gear shift speed, about 4 - 1.8 seconds, which is achieved thanks to the parallel squeezing of the next stage by the second clutch set.
Good fuel efficiency - up to 18% compared to identical cars equipped with a manual transmission.
High dynamics - achieved thanks to a paired hydraulic clutch system and a two-shaft arrangement, with the help of which torque is realized, even on more powerful engines.
Small dimensions and light weight make the device more versatile and also allow you to significantly save space under the hood of your car.

Read also Where is the fuse box in the Audi A6 S5

Despite its good characteristics, the Audi C tronic transmission has several disadvantages due to the complexity of its design:

The high cost of a manual transmission, since it is necessary to use a complex ECU and install a valve body, which directly affects the price of a car with this automatic transmission and its maintenance.
The difficulty of maintaining S-tronic Audi is that it requires the installation of only “original” certified components and consumables, and diagnostics and adjustment of the system must be carried out using dealer equipment.
Operation in the city is not always convenient - since one of the main features of this gearbox is the high speed of gear shifting, when driving at low speeds (20-30 km/h) or in a traffic jam, jerks and jolts may be felt during gear changes.

It is worth noting that all shortcomings are very individual, their presence can only be noticed under certain conditions.

Audi S-Tronic device

Reliability of the X-Tronic CVT box

Now let's talk a little about the reliability of the variator, because... This is practically the most common question among those who want to purchase a car with this transmission, and it is most relevant for those who want to buy a car on the secondary market. We spent a long time studying the forums of owners of cars with a CVT, and practice has shown that with proper operation and timely maintenance, the transmission runs 150,000 km without any problems. Next, maintenance and replacement of some parts are required, the cost of which is not that high, after which the continuously variable transmission can go the same distance.

Today, classic gearboxes are slowly fading into the background. If you look at the current market for new cars, you can identify two main vectors of development - robotic transmissions and CVTs. Robotic boxes are installed mainly on German cars; relatively recently they began to be installed on Korean models. CVTs are more the prerogative of Japanese manufacturers. Note that, for example, until recently, Audi equipped some of its cars with a CVT, but refused in favor of robots, citing greater reliability of the design.

For a more detailed study of this topic, we suggest you read the articles:

Owner reviews on the reliability of the X-Tronic CVT for 2018
We service the X-Tronic CVT variator: oil change

How long will it last and what can break?

X Tronic will operate normally for approximately 150,000 km. After such a run, its resource begins to deplete. As a rule, during this time the mechanism works properly, which is guaranteed by the manufacturer. Of course, its service life will depend on the vehicle on which it is installed and on operating conditions. But after the specified mileage, the variator may break down.

If you do not follow the operating rules of the vehicle, then after a while the box installed on it will begin to make sounds reminiscent of the noise of a moving trolleybus. It is impossible to indicate any one reason for this malfunction - there can be a lot of them, and for an accurate determination it is necessary to carry out diagnostics.

The belt drive may also suffer some damage. The belt simply breaks if the operating rules of the machine were not followed, and no one monitored the condition of the belt drive. A belt rupture can also lead to other damage, since its particles can damage other elements of the unit.

Another typical variator malfunction is bearing failure.

The cause of this defect is also, as a rule, improper operation of the power unit. When this happens, a loud, uncharacteristic noise will be heard from the box.

Signs of pump failure and troubleshooting

The following signs may indicate that the VAZ 2114 fuel pump is not pumping:

The engine will not start.
After working for a short time, the motor stalls.
The engine is tripping.
The engine often jerks at low speeds.
The pressure in the fuel rail (rail) has dropped. Normally, it is: for a volume of 1.5 l - about 300 kPa (+/-20 kPa), for a volume of 1.6 l - 380 kPa (+/-10 kPa).
After turning the ignition key, the vibration of the fuel pump is not heard.

If your car has the above “symptoms”, then you should not immediately rush to conclusions. Many of them are quite general, characteristic of a number of problems, and only the last three signs clearly indicate a fuel pump malfunction.

There may be several reasons why this particular device failed, including:

fuse burned out;
Fuel pump relay 2114 broke;
the mass contact has come off or oxidized;
the fuel pump contacts have oxidized;
the electric motor burned out;
The pump itself has failed.

The search should begin, as in most other cases, by checking the fuse. The VAZ 2114 fuel pump fuse is located in a small black box located on the housing of the electronic control unit. It is designed for a maximum current of 15 A, and its socket is marked fuel pump. The fuse should be carefully removed and checked. If it turns out to be burnt out, you just need to replace it with a new one designed for the same current.

If the reason is not in the fuse, then the next step is to check the condition of the relay. True, here many motorists may ask a logical question - where is the fuel pump relay on the VAZ 2114, because it is not in the common unit? You can find this electronic device next to the handbrake lever, under the dashboard. To open access to it, you will have to remove the plastic around the handbrake.

To check the serviceability of the relay, simply turn the ignition key in the lock and listen carefully. If the relay is working properly, a characteristic click will be heard. If it fails, the device will not make any sound. A broken relay should be replaced with a new one, since this device is not repairable, and it does not cost much.

After checking the relay, you should also check the ground contact located not far from it (when manipulating the relay, it will be clearly visible). The contact should be cleaned and its fastening to the steel body of the car tightened.

If after all the above steps the fault cannot be found, it is worth checking the condition of the contacts in the fuel pump wiring and the wiring itself. The latter can be done by regular testing using a multimeter. If a wire break is detected, it should be repaired - there is nothing complicated here. If it turns out that the wiring is working properly and voltage is supplied to the pump, but it does not work, you should check its contacts.

On the fuel pump body there are not two, but three connectors - positive, negative and control (for the fuel level). Connect a 12 volt light bulb to the positive and negative connectors and turn the ignition key. If the contacts are working properly, the light will light up.

If this does not happen, you should thoroughly clean the contacts with fine sandpaper or a cloth with kerosene, and then carry out the experiment again. If the light does not light up again, then the reason lies deeper.

The next step in troubleshooting the pump should be to check the functionality of its motor. This can be done using the same lamp - by connecting the lamp contacts to the motor connected to the on-board network, you should turn the ignition key.

If the light bulb does not react, you need to thoroughly clean the contacts of the electric motor, and then repeat the experiment. If the light blinks and the motor does not react in any way to the incoming voltage, then it is out of order and it’s time to buy a new one.

Reliability of S-Tronic from Audi

At the same time, car owners need to take into account the fact that the Audi S-tronic automatic transmission is not without its drawbacks. First of all, such disadvantages include a significant complication of the design. It was possible to achieve the smoothest possible shifting without a loss of power through the use of additional shafts and clutches. As a result, there are more moving elements inside the transmission, which, despite the use of fairly durable materials, are susceptible to breakdowns. In addition, car owners need to take into account the fact that preselective gearboxes, which include s-tronic, require qualified service. It is necessary to regularly change the oil in the transmission, which is done after a mileage of 40 - 50 thousand kilometers. The desire of the car owner to save money on service work inevitably leads to breakdowns of clutches and problems with solenoids. Oil in s-tronic must be used exclusively original.

Structurally, this gearbox has a slightly different design than classic automatic gearboxes. For this reason, many specialists in service centers simply refuse to service and repair the s-tronic automatic transmission. All this somewhat complicates the performance of repair work and service of the preselective automatic transmission.

Reviews from car owners about this gearbox vary significantly. Some people are absolutely delighted with the use of the s-tronic preselective gearbox, while other car owners negatively evaluate their experience of using cars with similar transmissions. Certain complaints are caused by the reliability of the gearbox and the complexity of its repair. Even the slightest breakdown requires dismantling the transmission and repairing it at a special stand. At the same time, qualified repairs can only be performed at certified Audi and Volkswagen service centers. Whereas in most universal repair shops they simply refuse to repair this transmission and problems with the S-tronic have to be fixed in specialized workshops.

In general, it must be said that the indicators of handling comfort, dynamics and fuel efficiency of the Audi s-tronic gearbox are at a high level. Whereas, due to its structural complexity, this automatic transmission places increased demands on service work and at the same time does not have the required reliability, which is typical for Audi Volkswagen automatic transmissions.

What's the result?

Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that, on the one hand, comfort and controllability, dynamics and fuel efficiency are achieved precisely thanks to the s-tronic.

A new car with this transmission is able to impress the owner with both its smooth ride and confident acceleration combined with moderate fuel consumption compared to analogues with classic automatic transmissions and CVTs.

However, in the future, when the need arises for gearbox maintenance and repair, the owner should prepare for expenses (sometimes quite large). It should also be taken into account that many car enthusiasts are well aware of the reduced service life and problems of S-Tronic and DSG-7.

This largely determines the reduction in the cost of a car with such a gearbox on the secondary market compared to classic automatic transmissions and even CVTs.

X Tronic CVT gearbox: what is it?

X-Tronic is a CVT gearbox, which is gradually replacing the automatic transmission, since, unlike it, it is reliable, durable and economical. It would be a stretch to consider it a gearbox, since it has no gears, but does have a continuously variable transmission. Such a box is called continuously variable due to the fact that during operation it gradually changes the gear ratio.

The first of these boxes were not very reliable - they quickly exhausted their resources if drivers practiced extreme driving. But the new Xtronic does not have the shortcomings of its “predecessors”. Now there are modernized options that meet technological standards. Now it is a V-belt variator, which has its own characteristics:

The pulleys in it are adapted for operation under increased loads.
The belt has become less flexible, but its service life has increased significantly.
The oil pump has become more efficient.

The dimensions of the box have decreased. Cars equipped with such gearboxes begin to move more smoothly and consume fuel much more slowly. The unit no longer experiences overloads, which is why its service life has increased significantly. The box feels more confident at high speeds.

The modernization also affected the firmware. We added some adaptive modes - for use in rural areas, sports, etc. All these changes made it possible to use boxes even with high-power motors.

Comparing Tiptronic, manual transmission and automatic transmission

Today, the Tiptronic function is used quite often by various vehicle manufacturers. It is possible to understand the principle of its functioning only by returning to the origins of the manufacture of gearboxes. Initially, the gearbox was mechanical, and its purpose was to transmit torque from the engine to the drive wheels. The change in gear ratio occurred due to the gears that came into contact when moving the lever in manual mode

Tiptronic or CVT – which is better?

A CVT is one of the types of continuously variable transmissions. This type of gearbox is abbreviated as CVT.

It is not easy even for an experienced driver to distinguish the selector lever of a conventional automatic transmission from the selector of a variator. But, despite the external similarity, there are many differences in the operation of such boxes. The variator consists of two disks (pulleys), between which a belt or chain is thrown. The pulleys move/spread apart and the gear ratio changes.

The main distinguishing feature of the variator is the absence of gears and, accordingly, switching between them. The main advantage of the variator is its smooth operation. The acceleration of a car with a CVT can be compared to the acceleration of a trolleybus, so passengers and the driver will be provided with comfort while driving.

The CVT does not have to “click” the gears, therefore, the transmission is at the very peak of torque, and the car accelerates faster.

Having a CVT in a car has a number of advantages:

Fast and smooth acceleration.
Low fuel consumption.
Comfort.
Low weight of the system.

However, the widespread introduction of cars with a CVT is hampered by its disadvantages:

The service life is shorter than that of classic automatic transmissions.
It is noisy (the sound can be heard inside the car).
Does not like aggressive driving and sudden starts.
High cost of maintenance and repairs.

Tiptronic is effective in all weather conditions. For example, you can almost instantly switch to a downshift and increase the dynamics of the vehicle. The variator cannot allow this. In addition, in unfavorable road conditions, tiptronic makes it possible to select a lower gear in advance and, accordingly, feel more confident on the road.

Tiptronic or automatic – which is better?

You can often hear arguments: which is better, automatic or tiptronic? Despite the fact that Tiptronic has been used in the automotive industry for a long time, debates about their rivalry with conventional automatic transmissions continue. Today, expert opinions are divided on which gearbox is better. To answer this question you need to compare their characteristics.

Let's start in order with the main differences between tiptronic and automatic transmission:

Tiptronic has the properties of a manual transmission, since there is a manual gear shift. In a conventional automatic transmission, shifting occurs only in automatic mode.
An automatic transmission will cost car owners much less.
When driving on the highway, the tiptronic, being in manual transmission mode, gives greater maneuverability, allowing you to quickly overtake.
The advantage of tiptronic is especially noticeable in winter, when you often have to accelerate and slow down.
On difficult sections of the road and rough terrain, the automatic may not be able to cope; in this case, the tiptoronic provides manual control by the driver.
An automatic is preferable for drivers who have little driving experience, and troubles with tiptronic are a task that more experienced car owners can do.

Undoubtedly, each car owner decides for himself which gearbox to choose. This is individual and depends on the amount of money that you can spend and on your driving experience. Therefore, there is no clear answer to the question: do you want to trust what has been proven or would you prefer to move with the times?

Explanations and causes of the most common automatic transmission errors for Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda

The most popular fault codes are:

P0729, P0730, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736 (17113 - 17120) - incorrect gear ratio of individual gears (P0729 - 6th gear, P0730 - general for automatic transmission, P0731- P0735 - 1st to 5th -th gear respectively). These errors appear as a result of slipping in certain gears. The cause is usually burnt out friction clutches, problems with the hydraulic unit, wear of the sealing elements of the friction clutch pistons (typical for automatic transmission 09G). Sometimes these errors are recorded together with errors P0780-P0784 (gear shift control).
P0740, P0741 (17124, 17125) – malfunction of the torque converter lock-up clutch, no torque transmission. In this case, the problem most often lies in severe wear of the torque converter lock-up clutch. When driving, this problem can be expressed in the form of floating speed (100-200 rpm) in partial load mode, deterioration of acceleration characteristics.
P0746, P0747, P0748, P0749, P0750, P0751, P0752, P0753, P0756, P0757, P0758, P0761, P0762, P0763, P0766, P0768, P0771, P0773, P0776, P0777, P077 8, P0779 (17130 – 17163) – malfunctions in the electrical circuit of solenoid valves (solenoids). When these errors appear, the automatic transmission goes into emergency mode (all control electronics are turned off). The causes of the malfunction usually lie in the electrical wiring and the solenoid valves themselves. Less commonly, the cause of the malfunction may be the automatic transmission ECU (VW Passat B5+, Audi 97-04 with ZF automatic transmission).
P0705, P0706, P0707, P0708, P0710, P0711, P0712, P0713, P0714, P0715, P0716, P0717, P0720, P0721, P0722 (17089 – 17106) – malfunctions associated with the automatic transmission input and output shaft speed sensors ( G182, G195), automatic transmission oil temperature sensor (G93) and gear engaged sensor (inhibitor) (F125). On different models of boxes, these problems are solved in different ways: from simply replacing sensors to replacing the mechatronics unit.

Design and principle of operation of Tiptronic

The Tiptronic device is practically no different from the device of a classic automatic transmission. And the movement in a car with tiptronic is identical to the movement of a car in which a conventional automatic transmission is installed. The only difference is that the Tiptronic box allows the driver, if necessary, to quickly switch the control selector to manual mode.

The Tiptronic system operates using switches in the gearbox selector and switches (if equipped) on the steering wheel.

The gearbox selector can be equipped with one to three switches: one for switching on the mode, the second and third for switching to lower and higher gears. Signals from the switches are transmitted to the electronic transmission control unit, which runs the program algorithm and ensures gear shifting.

The peculiarity of the gear change algorithm in the Tiptronic gearbox is as follows: when increasing gears, the selector takes the front non-fixed position, when downshifting, the selector moves to the rear non-fixed position. This algorithm differs from conventional gear shifting, where the selector is pushed back to upshift and forward to downshift.

The Tiptronic box operates in two modes: full automatic and manual control. In manual mode, the driver does not simply limit the automatic transmission to using a certain range of gears (for example, no higher than third), but independently decides which specific gear should be engaged.

Automatic mode has the same positions - D, N, R, P, but there is a special cutout on the side for manual mode. When the selector moves into this groove when changing gears, manual control of the gearbox operation is carried out. You can adjust the gear by moving the lever to the “+” or “-” position.

Tiptronic is switched off by moving the gear selector back to position D. On some car models, switching is done using the steering column switches (paddle shifters). The set gear is displayed on the instrument panel.

When you press the steering column switches, the control system switches the box to manual mode, bypassing the selector lever. If the steering wheel paddles are not used by the driver, the control system itself switches the box to automatic mode.

Comparative characteristics

Classic automatic transmission

Classic automatic transmission
Positive characteristics	Flaws
Exceptional ease of operation, resulting in much less driver fatigue, especially in urban driving	It is not recommended to start a car with an automatic transmission, as they say, from a pusher. But some still neglect this rule and in vain
Smaller dimensions than Tiptronic	The automatic transmission is not suitable for driving on bad roads
Automatic transmission is much cheaper than Tiptronic	Frequent slipping on ice, especially during starting, leads to failure of some parts and even systems
No dips in motor traction	Frequent automatic transmission breakdowns in cold weather
Gentle engine operating modes	Speeds switch with a certain delay: from 0.1–0.7 seconds
Smooth operation, no jerking when changing gears	Undesirability of towing cars
Great option for novice drivers	It is undesirable to drive with trailers
It is undesirable to drive with trailers
Harmfulness of acceleration overloads
Expensive repairs
Dear service

Tiptronic box

Tiptronic
Positive characteristics	Flaws
Cars with this gearbox can not only operate in the mode of an ordinary automatic gearbox, but also have all the positive qualities of mechanics	Significantly heavier than a conventional automatic transmission
Possibility of full control over transmission control while driving on dirt roads and other difficult areas	More expensive than usual
Better dynamics compared to an automatic - if necessary, this gearbox in manual transmission mode can pick up speed faster than an automatic one
In winter, if necessary, engine braking is available; this is not possible with an automatic transmission.
Easy automatic mode, understandable even for a beginner
The automatic is more convenient during overtaking and maneuvers in difficult areas
On bad roads and difficult terrain, the automatic transmission may not cope, but when switching to mechanical mode, the Tiptronic will overcome them easily
Due to the combination of two types of automatic transmission, it is more versatile and functional
Extremely useful when overtaking - in manual mode you can disable automatic upshifting
In case of urgent engine braking, you can manually switch to a lower gear. This may be necessary to prevent skidding on icy roads.
In winter mode, you can start on a slippery road immediately from 2nd speed, which will make it possible to prevent wheel slipping
Since the automatic mode is not intended for driving on bad roads, switching to manual control mode makes it possible to some extent smooth out various potholes and bumps in the roads
The design of this box provides a protection program against erroneous gear shifting
Significantly saves fuel, even more than an automatic transmission

Design and principle of operation of the cvt variator

In any case, which one to prefer is up to each individual, but still, if funds allow, then, of course, Tiptronic is preferable.

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S tronic - What is it

Audi S tronic is a robotic gearbox with unique properties, capabilities and qualities. The design of the S tronic preselective gearbox includes two rows of modes (essentially, these are twin shafts with gears from independent manual transmissions combined into one mechanism) and two clutches, each of which is responsible for the operation of its gears - even and odd rows.

For example, when the car accelerates, second gear is engaged, then the automatic transmission is activated and instantly switches to third by opening the clutch discs of the (even) row and connecting the next one. The process of switching to another mode occurs very quickly, with no characteristic jerks or delays; power from the power unit is transmitted in a continuous flow through a preselective transmission to the vehicle's chassis.

Pros and cons of the DSG S tronic robot box

Car owners who own a vehicle with a DSG S tronic preselective gearbox note the following advantages of their cars:

Relatively small dimensions and weight of the mechanism.
Improved car dynamics.
Smooth and, at the same time, fast acceleration of the car.
Instant speed switching (takes no more than 0.8 seconds).
Economical (fuel consumption savings - at least 10%).
The absence of a clutch pedal makes it easier to control the gearbox.

Among the observed shortcomings, the following factors are noted:

the relatively high cost of the mechanism, which is reflected in the price of the entire car;
expensive qualified maintenance of the si-tronic, since partial or complete oil changes, as well as the oil filter, should be carried out only in specialized service centers;
complicated box design.

When the working units and parts of the differentials wear out, various negative symptoms begin to appear:

Dips, shocks during acceleration and transition to high speeds.
Vibrations when switching from first to second speed.

Recommended consumables and devices:

ATF oil G052529A2 - 6 liters.
Filter 0B5325330A.
Filter seal WHT005499A.
Pan gasket 0B5321371E.

Disadvantages and frequent complaints from owners

Often, on the forums of owners of cars equipped with a CVT, you can read negative reviews about the operation when releasing the gas. Owners are annoyed that the car begins to nod when the speedometer needle drops to 20 km/h.
thoughtfulness can be considered a relative disadvantage, so if you are considering buying a car and counting on dynamic driving, then it is better to give preference to a car with a different transmission (mechanics or with a DSG robot). But this is not a drawback, but rather a feature of the X-Tronic CVT transmission, because... it was originally created for smoothness and fuel economy.
a CVT-type box is very sensitive to overheating, this point could also be attributed to the above, because This problem applies more to fans of high speeds. So when driving on the highway, you should not overdo it with the gas pedal and the position of the speedometer needle (or, as an option: many Tian owners, especially with powerful engines, install an additional radiator to cool the box).
sound accompaniment, like in a trolleybus, is another feature that owners often complain about at first. As they operate, according to the same owners, they get used to the sound and do not pay any attention to it. (Note that the sound from the X-Tronic variator is not so unbearable that it makes you want to leave the vehicle; it’s just that during operation there is a slight hum that is perceptible to the ear).

Problems with the box and their solutions

Owners of cars with this box need to know the most common problems with the Audi S-tronic and how to fix them.

Read also: Step-by-step instructions for replacing silent blocks in an Audi 80 yourself

Jerking when starting

This problem most often occurs due to a malfunctioning clutch; before going to the salon, you can use a few tips to fix the problem yourself. First, the engine warms up to standard operating temperature, after which you need to make sure that the ignition and power system is working properly. If the tremors do not go away, you need to check options with minor breakdowns that can be repaired independently:

deformation of the driven disk - it will need to be replaced;
jamming of the gearbox input shaft hub - you should clean the splines from dirt and eliminate minor damage with a file; if it is significantly damaged, it is better to replace the disk and/or input shaft, and also apply CV joint-4 lubricant;
damage on the surface of the flywheel or pressure plate - replace the flywheel or clutch “basket” (clutch housing with pressure plate);
wear of the fastening of the friction pads or the elasticity of the springs of the driven disk - replace the driven disk.

Photos of Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro S-tronic

Strange sound when accelerating

Most often this may be due to clutch malfunctions, of which the S-tronic gearbox has two. If you have the skills and abilities, you can check the clutches yourself and replace them; if necessary, this procedure is performed in several steps:

The parts blocking access to the transmission are removed, after which it must be unscrewed and inspected for deformation. The condition of the dual-mass flywheel is also checked; if it is severely worn, it must be replaced.
The clutch is removed, if it is damaged or already badly worn, it should be replaced with a new one. It is better to replace both clutches at the same time.
The transmission is connected to the engine, everything is installed in its place.

Before purchasing an Audi car with S-tronic, you need to realistically assess your capabilities so that in the future its operation and maintenance do not seem difficult.

This video will tell you what the S-tronic automatic transmission from Audi is:

The video below will tell you about the features and common causes of automatic transmission failure of the Audi A5 DSG7 0B5 (DL501 S-Tronic):

Comparison with A4 CVT

Nowadays, it is increasingly rare to find cars equipped with a CVT gearbox if their engine capacity is more than 2.0 liters. This is due to the fact that its main disadvantage is severe overheating, which especially negatively affects the performance of SUVs or sedans that drive in difficult conditions (mud, snow). Another serious problem with CVTs is that they have weak torque, and for high-power engines this is a serious hindrance.

Not all drivers were satisfied with the use of CVT, since it was repeatedly noted that its optimal mileage is about 100 thousand km, and after overcoming this indicator, malfunctions may occur, and this system is not very simple to maintain, both financially and physically.

It cannot be said that CVT is the worst option, it also has a number of its advantages, but as for the S-tronic, all serious shortcomings were taken into account and corrected, which in many ways make owning such a car easier.

S-tronic in the Audi A5 coupe

Pros and cons of the DSG S tronic robot box

Car owners who own a vehicle with a DSG S tronic preselective gearbox note the following advantages of their cars:

Relatively small dimensions and weight of the mechanism.
Improved car dynamics.
Smooth and, at the same time, fast acceleration of the car.
Instant speed switching (takes no more than 0.8 seconds).
Economical (fuel consumption savings - at least 10%).
The absence of a clutch pedal makes it easier to control the gearbox.

Concept and design of preselective boxes

Every transmission has certain strengths and weaknesses. The main disadvantage of the classic “automatic” is the disconnection of power when moving from one gear to another. To eliminate this drawback, representatives of the automobile industry are developing modernized automatic transmissions, where it is possible to change gears without this disconnection (break). This led to the appearance of preselective boxes.

Their idea is quite simple. The operation of a manual transmission with a pair of shafts was taken as the basis for its creation. In fact, this box has two clutches to eliminate power gaps when changing between gears. This solution not only helped improve dynamic performance, reduce gasoline and/or diesel consumption, but also increased the safety of the car when overtaking and performing other maneuvers at speed.

Today, Audi cars are equipped with 7-speed preselective robotic gearboxes, which are called S-Tronic. This unit has proven itself well in the market, is considered reliable, technologically advanced and one that contributes to increased comfort when driving a car.

How does S-Tronic work?

In its design, such a preselective s-tronic gearbox is closer to mechanical transmissions, which are equipped with a special device for fully automatic gear shifting. There are special steering column switches for manual gear changes. In this case, switching occurs in a fraction of a second, and the power is not interrupted due to the presence of two clutches. It is possible to activate a fully automatic operating mode, when the electronics independently decide to change gears. Audi's seven-speed s-tronic transmission is fully computer controlled, which monitors the transmission parameters. If there are any problems with the automatic transmission, a corresponding warning is displayed. This not only increases the ease of operation of the transmission, but also simplifies subsequent S-tronic repairs in Moscow. Using special diagnostic equipment, a service technician can easily identify an existing breakdown and fix it in a short time.

The box allows you to reduce the understeer of the car by compressing the clutch packs in the right turn, and when turning left, the hydraulic drive locks, and as a result, the right wheel receives more torque

How to switch tiptronic correctly?

All cars equipped with an automatic transmission with tiptronic are no different from a regular automatic transmission:

- equipped with two pedals - brake and accelerator.

- have the same accelerator handle positions - “D”, “N”, “R”, “P”.

— if the car is operated in normal “D” mode, then all actions are controlled by the on-board computer, but with the help of tiptronic the driver has the opportunity, if necessary, to select the desired gear.

How to use tiptronic? Switching is carried out using the range selection lever (RVD) when it is in mode “D”. At this moment, the handle should be moved into a special groove marked “+” and “-”. To upshift, use “+”, and to downshift, respectively, “-”.

Switching off the tiptronic mode is done by moving the lever back to position “D”. All handle movements are shown on the control display.

Some car models, instead of a special niche on the RVD, are equipped with a “petal”, which is located on the steering wheel. With its help, manual control is carried out by pressing buttons on it. To increase the gear you need to pull the right “+” lever towards the steering wheel, to downshift – pull the left “-” lever.

If the driver does not use the steering wheel paddles for a long time, the on-board computer automatically switches the box to automatic mode.

If the car slows down, the system will also automatically lower the gear ratio.

The restart will only take place in first gear. This is convenient at traffic lights, since you don’t have to constantly think about changing gears while driving the car manually. In tiptronic mode, the computer continues to monitor the driver's actions, canceling commands that could harm the engine or gearbox.

For example, if the car stops with the first speed engaged, the control unit will not allow the engine to stall.

Some cars have sports and winter programs. When using the sports car in tiptronic mode, the ECU allows the driver to maintain high revs in every gear. This makes it possible to obtain maximum vehicle responsiveness when accelerating and overtaking. The winter program allows you to avoid slipping on slippery road surfaces.

Pros and cons of tiptronic

The tiptronic system is gaining increasing popularity. On modern cars, automatic transmissions with manual control are almost universally installed. The reason for this is the following advantages of tiptronic:

— the driver always has the opportunity to switch to manual control mode in emergency situations, for example, when braking the engine, allowing him to manually downshift. This can help avoid skidding on slippery roads;

— the system is convenient to use when overtaking, preventing the automatic transmission from shifting to a higher gear;

— if the car is equipped with a winter mode, then the tiptronic system makes it possible to start on a slippery road from second gear, thereby avoiding slipping;

- although automatic transmissions do not like off-road conditions, by switching to manual control mode, you can drive on uneven roads, “smoothing out” some of the surface irregularities;

— all models with tiptronic are equipped with a built-in protection system that monitors manual switching and prevents situations where engine damage is possible. There is no such function on manual transmission;

— gasoline consumption is more economical compared to a conventional automatic transmission, although even less gasoline is consumed with a manual transmission;

- the optimal solution for a driver who wants to drive a car with an automatic transmission, but have the option of manual control.

Let's look at the other side of the coin - the disadvantages of tiptronic:

— by adding a manual control function, the size of the transmission and its weight have increased;

— gears are switched with some delay. For example, on an Audi car it is 0.1 seconds, and on a Porsche it reaches 0.7 seconds.

The tiptronic function provides additional opportunities for an experienced driver to control the dynamics of the car, while maintaining all the advantages of an automatic transmission. Thanks to this, many opponents of the automatic transmission became its adherents.

Story

The 5G-Tronic automatic transmission, the sixth in the company's series of automatic transmissions, was introduced by Daimler AG in 1990. This is the first Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission with electronic control and torque converter locking. The 5G-Tronic gearbox received the internal designation NAG1

(“new 1st generation automatic transmission”).

In the first releases and until 1999, the 5G-Tronic automatic transmission used a sliding bushing to interface the input and output shafts, which was clearly too weak for the loads. It quickly broke and due to the loss of oil pressure and the resulting strong play of both shafts, the planetary gear failed. In 1999, as part of the modernization of the gearbox, this problem was corrected by replacing the problematic bushing with a needle bearing with a Teflon ring. In addition, the sliding bushing in the sun gear was replaced with a bearing.

In 2001, the 5G-Tronic gearbox was again slightly improved. In order to increase fuel economy and reduce switching time, some modifications of the 722.6 automatic transmission began to use thin one-way clutches (friction disks), which quickly fail under increased loads (such as sudden acceleration or slipping).

Despite the release of the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission in 2003, the five-speed gearbox continued to be used, for example on the W211 (until 2009), as well as on the W164 (only in combination with the M113 V8 engine until 2006) and vehicles with V12 engines, such as R230 (until 2011), C216 (until 2014), S600, and others. This is because the 7G-Tronic's torque is limited to 735 Nm, while the 5G-Tronic has a torque potential of 1,079 Nm. Additionally, not all all-wheel drive ( AWD)

) are compatible with the 7G-Tronic series gearbox.

In addition to Mercedes-Benz models, cars such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango (2011-2012, V6 engines only), Chrysler 300 (2005-2014), Dodge Magnum (2005-2008, AWD, RT and SRT8), Dodge Challenger (2009-2014), Dodge Charger (2006-2014), Jaguar X308 (1998-2002), SsangYong Rexton (2004-), SsangYong Kyron (2006-), Porsche 911 (996 series, 1998-2005 ) and others.