When leaving a signal or a stop sign in our long-term 2009 Audi A4, things don't happen instantaneously.
First, the intial tip-in response of the throttle is too soft. Then the revs climb high and hold as the torque converter tries to let the engine build boost. It makes for dignified, though not particularly hasty, departures.
Once you're underway and the torque converter is fully locked up, there's ample sauce underfoot.
This throttle lag/softness has me two-pedaling the Audi as I approach empty four-way stop intersections. Left foot brake as a stop sign approaches, and apply throttle just before it reaches a standstill.
I suppose a partial solution to this minor irritation is the 'Dynamic' mode of the Drive Select system found on our longterm S5.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
adrean8j says:
05:28 PM, 12/ 3/09
Jason I have a '04 A4 1.8t and also notice that throttle tip-in is waaaay soft...especially compared to the BMW's and Mercedes I have driven. Is this a common thing among the A4 lineup over the last half-decade?
sodaguy says:
05:37 PM, 12/ 3/09
If you have the car flashed with a Stage 1 software from APR, Revo or GIAC, it will help improve throttle response and make the car more driveable.
sherief says:
05:39 PM, 12/ 3/09
A shame the new A4 Avant isn't available with a six speed.
I have a 1.8T with a six speed manual, and the tip in isn't too bad. And while I'm running REVO software, tip in wasn't any different before the reflash.
huyracing says:
05:42 PM, 12/ 3/09
VW/ Audi just tend to be too conservative with their calibration. That's how its been for ages, which is why the aftermarket is there.
clarkma5 says:
08:55 PM, 12/ 3/09
VW/Audi has always given a very soft throttle tip-in and a very long travel throttle pedal...it's not the norm in the car industry, but once you calibrate your foot to it I very much like the complete and fine control it allows you to have. Now, about that automatic...well, there is a reason I'm not giving up my third pedal anytime soon.
uncanny_man says:
04:39 AM, 12/ 4/09
How come I never hear stuff like this in the glowing reviews of Audis?
ckeith1 says:
07:44 AM, 12/ 4/09
I have a 2009 A4 Avant we got in July and noticed this problem the first few weeks, now after 15k miles I never notice a lag the car always is ready to go on demand. This is like the bad HVAC interface after a while you learn to quickly make the changes you want. Since these are not in the normal rental fleet most owners will quickly figure out how to get the car to do what they want.
felonious says:
08:48 AM, 12/ 4/09
The soft throttle also exists in my 05 S4 Avant. Whenever I need instant response, such as turning left across traffic, or turning right into heavy traffic, I either set it in S or flip it over to "manual" mode. That sharpens it right up!
Also, I believe that in regular "D", the transmission takes off in second gear, not first, probably as a gas-saving measure. Can anyone confirm this?
hurls65 says:
12:38 PM, 12/ 4/09
I notice this too, and as mentioned above it's quite easy to adapt to...
However, our Avant is my wife's DD, not mine... so every time I step out of my (otherwise slow as molasses) 323iTouring and into the (quite rapid) Avant, I have to adapt. Dropping it into S does make a difference.
@felonious, I think it starts in 1 and then shifts up right away (RIGHT AWAY) to 2, but I'll check next time my wife lets me drive her car and report back if I'm wrong.
jsc4321 says:
05:11 PM, 12/ 4/09
APR or any ECU software are the best investment on any turbocharged VW and Audi....it really changes the characteristic of the car.
cah11705 says:
05:11 PM, 12/ 6/10
Looks like someone miss the oil hole!