DSG causing RPM to 'hang'.

LamboTech

Active Member
Jan 15, 2019
7
2
Hi, newbie here.
Exeo ST 2.0 TDI DSG, 2012, 48k.
Had for a few months and loving it! However...
About once or twice a week the car will 'hang' at 1500rpm whilst driving. It will accelerate past it without an issue, but won't go down unless I come to a crawl where it will go into idle after clinging to 1500rpm for as long as possible. Even if I let off the accelerator, the car will begin to slow but RPM remains the same. So if I'm cruising at 30mph, it's at 1500rpm rather than closer to 1000rpm. Whilst doing this, it will stay in a lower gear than usual, and will not let me change up a gear using the paddles.
No strange noises occur. I have not managed to find any pattern to it, it can go into this 'mode' when starting the car or whilst driving. It can also go back to normal during a drive (only after being at idle).
It will remain like this for maybe a couple of hours or more than a day, or even just half an hour. Random every time.

It's not a huge concern, as it drives ok. But I'm worried about accelerated clutch wear, increased fuel consumption and its also less smooth to drive at lower speeds when this happens.

Hoping someone else has had the issue but Google searching has found nothing! I might try and get a video of it at some point.

Thanks for reading!
 

julianat57

Active Member
Jun 19, 2010
161
3
Stafford
Hi, newbie here.
Exeo ST 2.0 TDI DSG, 2012, 48k.
Had for a few months and loving it! However...
About once or twice a week the car will 'hang' at 1500rpm whilst driving. It will accelerate past it without an issue, but won't go down unless I come to a crawl where it will go into idle after clinging to 1500rpm for as long as possible. Even if I let off the accelerator, the car will begin to slow but RPM remains the same. So if I'm cruising at 30mph, it's at 1500rpm rather than closer to 1000rpm. Whilst doing this, it will stay in a lower gear than usual, and will not let me change up a gear using the paddles.
No strange noises occur. I have not managed to find any pattern to it, it can go into this 'mode' when starting the car or whilst driving. It can also go back to normal during a drive (only after being at idle).
It will remain like this for maybe a couple of hours or more than a day, or even just half an hour. Random every time.

It's not a huge concern, as it drives ok. But I'm worried about accelerated clutch wear, increased fuel consumption and its also less smooth to drive at lower speeds when this happens.

Hoping someone else has had the issue but Google searching has found nothing! I might try and get a video of it at some point.

Thanks for reading!
Hi, I am pretty sure that the Automatic Exeo uses the Audi Multitronic gearbox and not DSG, so for problems associated with this gearbox, you should try looking in the Audi forums. Hope this helps......Julian
 

LamboTech

Active Member
Jan 15, 2019
7
2
Hi, I am pretty sure that the Automatic Exeo uses the Audi Multitronic gearbox and not DSG, so for problems associated with this gearbox, you should try looking in the Audi forums. Hope this helps......Julian
Hi thanks for your reply. The manual says it could be either the Multitronic or 7 speed Tiptronic, and mine is a 7 speed. Apparently a Tiptronic is not the same as a DSG? The service manual has an option for DSG oil. So who knows!!
I was concerned when I bought the car as I thought the dealer may have not changed the gearbox oil, but when I took it to a Seat dealer he said it would be a DSG without even looking at the car, so the plot continues to thicken.
What's the easiest way for me to find out?
 

Deleted member 103408

Guest
wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAT_Exeo#cite_note-15

Transmission options initially included only a six speed manual gearbox.[4] Shortly after launch, the LuK originated multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT),[14] with selectable six or seven speeds,[15] became available on models equipped with the 2.0 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines.[16] Distribution of the engine torque to the driven roadwheels is only via the front wheels, and there is not a four-wheel drive offering, which the Audi A4 used as an option in its 'trademark' quattro.[4]

And

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multitronic
 

LamboTech

Active Member
Jan 15, 2019
7
2
wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAT_Exeo#cite_note-15

Transmission options initially included only a six speed manual gearbox.[4] Shortly after launch, the LuK originated multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT),[14] with selectable six or seven speeds,[15] became available on models equipped with the 2.0 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines.[16] Distribution of the engine torque to the driven roadwheels is only via the front wheels, and there is not a four-wheel drive offering, which the Audi A4 used as an option in its 'trademark' quattro.[4]

And

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multitronic
Well I've always liked the idea of a CVT, and it does drive super smooth with basically no noticeable upshift or downshift on normal driving. Having never driven a DSG, and only once a CVT (B-class) , it didn't quite match the way the previous CVT delivered power, so I assumed it wasn't one of those.
 

Tom B

Active Member
Apr 2, 2002
4,710
16
Northampton
All Exeo Automatics are Multitronic, unfortunately the person at the dealer you went to has never worked with an Exeo and doesn't know what they're talking about.

I'd get it checked out before it gets worse, these boxes are not known for reliability. You need a CVT specialist, most automatic gearbox repairers hear Multitronic and run away!
 

LamboTech

Active Member
Jan 15, 2019
7
2
Thanks everyone. I'm now fairly sure it is a Multitronic CVT!
I did some googling on my issue with Multitronic in the search. Found a couple of people claiming the exact same issue. It looks like it's not actually a fault, it's the engine doing a self-clean of the DPF. Apparently can occur every 600-1000 miles which matches my experience. Gearbox is a dream at all other times.
Considering taking it to a specialist anyway as I'm not 100% sure the gearbox oil has been changed on schedule, or even when that schedule is.
 

Tom B

Active Member
Apr 2, 2002
4,710
16
Northampton
I'm glad to hear its not something serious, but I'd definitely recommend regular oil changes to help with longevity. If there's no history of it being done, schedule a change as soon as you can.
 
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SEATA4

Active Member
Nov 23, 2016
14
0
Just to add my 2012 auto is definitely a Multitronic CVT and its a very good to get the oil changed every 30,000 miles . Its a very smooth box to drive but funny to see the revs stay at 3000rpm as the speedo shots upwards .
 
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