2.0TDI 1st Gear Performance

[4candles]

Hi All,
I have 2.0TDI 140PS Altea Stylance, 17" Alloys and 235 miles on the clock.
After the first week or so of driving I am very happy but have a question.
In 2nd to 6th Gears, throttle response is excellent with definite kick if you push it hard. However 1st gear seems to respond like an the Turbo is nonexistent, you need a lot of throttle to get any go out of it. If you slip in the clutch at low revs, it will not pull like 2nd will.
This is my first diesel so is it Normal ?
Or will it improve after the engine has done a few 1000 miles ?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[pdh 14a]

Strange? I can't really use 1st much as theres too much power,just spins the front wheels!
would be good if these are adjustable,as i've Revo'd mine now,and 1st and 2nd (3rd in the wet) are pretty much useless on full throttle

 

[Belly]

Hi All,
I have 2.0TDI 140PS Altea Stylance, 17" Alloys and 235 miles on the clock.
After the first week or so of driving I am very happy but have a question.
In 2nd to 6th Gears, throttle response is excellent with definite kick if you push it hard. However 1st gear seems to respond like an the Turbo is nonexistent, you need a lot of throttle to get any go out of it. If you slip in the clutch at low revs, it will not pull like 2nd will.
This is my first diesel so is it Normal ?
Or will it improve after the engine has done a few 1000 miles ?

Thanks in Advance.

I'd say thats about par for the course - I have two 2.0tdi's - the Altea and an A3 and both are similar. 1st seems to be just a 'pull away' gear with all the shove from 2nd gear on. I can't imagine driving much in 1st as its too easy to over rev.

 

[googies]

1.9TDI is similar, 1st is only to get you moving and 2nd on to pull plenty. Spins 1st no problem, givei t some in 2nd wheel spins too, pretty high torque in these cars.

 

[CrispDust]

Get a DSG problem solved......
I believe that some turbo cars have some sort of limiter for 1st to avoid wheelspin, clutch burn etc?

 

[4candles]

Today tried a boy racer start from the lights, 1st gear goes like stink !!
So it must be a mapping thing. Quite gentle if you amble away at low RPM. Hit the go peddle hard and drop the cluth and it comes to life.

 

[PhilOfCas]

Hi All,
I have 2.0TDI 140PS Altea Stylance, 17" Alloys and 235 miles on the clock.
After the first week or so of driving I am very happy but have a question.
In 2nd to 6th Gears, throttle response is excellent with definite kick if you push it hard. However 1st gear seems to respond like an the Turbo is nonexistent, you need a lot of throttle to get any go out of it. If you slip in the clutch at low revs, it will not pull like 2nd will.
This is my first diesel so is it Normal ?
Or will it improve after the engine has done a few 1000 miles ?

Thanks in Advance.

Great minds think alike !, I posted this in December 2007:

"i've suspected some kind of power limiter in 1st gear for some time, though i'm not sure even when ESP is switched off there's still some limiting taking place, acceleration seems stunted in 1st, with ESP switched on or off. This theory seems to be confirmed when you're into 3rd when acceleration is much stronger, no doubt someone with technical knowledge of the car could confirm. It would make sense for the engine to be held back in 1st because of the torquey nature of the engine, i.e. fairly sudden increase in power, probably extends the tyres lives a touch !

Having said all that i might be wrong !!"


I'd echo what's said above by others, to get anything out of 1st gear it's a case of wearing ear defenders and flooring it, which for me is a complete waste of time, though i have tried a few Italian tune ups recenty and my god, the take off when into 2nd gear after giving 1st a good go is proper


Car now has 63k on the clock and seems to be going as strong as ever