Engine Laboring on gear change

[Warby]

Hi All,

I'm an engine numpty so please excuse what could be a stupid question.

I have a 2.0 TDI FR Ibiza (2013) no mods as far as I know.

I can drive the car "normally" and have no problems, however if I take notice of the "change gear" icon on the dash say from 4th to 5th to 6th etc, then the engine labours and vibrates until I increase 200-300 rpm. Basically its as if the computer is telling me to move up through the gears too early.

Clearly, more than happy to ignore the computer, just wondering if this is indicative of a problem? No other issues as far as I can tell.

Cheers in advance

 

[Big Col]

I ignore the gear change indicator.

Like you, if I followed it the engine and gearbox would shake itself to bits, driving about everywhere at 1100 rpm.

 

[Warby]

Cheers, good to know it's not just mine!

 

[propane94]

Out of curiosity, has your car had the emissions fix applied to it??

 

[Warby]

No it hasn't. Was waiting till the next service is due.

 

[.-Sam6J-.]

Mine sometimes will go down to 1300/1200 rpm in 5th and then tell me to go to fourth. Would kill the engine and clutch if I followed it. I just use it when I feel its right like when I'm doing 30 and it tells me to go into 4th which i will

 

[RUM4MO]

I think that you are all being a bit with VW group, they lost lots of money in the DERV scandal, so they need to get it back somehow, what better way than to suggest we use our cars in a way that is liable to cause power train destruction, then rake in the money in parts and repairs.

My wife lets me know when I'm trying to obey the gear change instructions in her 1.2TSI 110 Polo, for a while I tried to suppress these instructions in my Audi S4 - it is worse there as if you ignore it it changes the readout on the display in front of the driver, and that is distracting! Now I just use it though I probably beat it or ignore it a bit.

 

[propane94]

Usually the gear change will show depending on the acceleration, it assumes you can shift up if your not labouring the engine so you can cruise at a reduced rpm and fuel consumption. You should shift down again if you want to accelerate faster than snail.

Just follow your gut, if you labour the engine, shift down, if you are just cruising, shift up. Mine is happy at 30 in 4th, 5th will be okay for 40 but not with an incline, need to shift to 4th then. This will depend on your engine and gearbox.

I asked about the emissions fix as I have noticed the gear change indicator wants me to shift earlier since having it done (one of many ways to reduce emissions), I suspect automatics may have the shift pattern changed.