Rookie VR6 driver question...

1155 Views 27 Replies 19 Participants Last post by prsbirds, Dec 2, 2001

PhillyGirl

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2001

THis is completely embarrassing, because I have been driving since I'm 17 and I am 29...but I have never driven a VR6 before. I have had 2 Jettas, both were 2.0 5spds. This new one is the VR6 5spd.
My question is this....when I go from 1st to 2nd gear, the car is kind of lurching like 3 or 4 times. Is this because I am not used to the power of the car, or is there something potentially wrong with it? (or me?)...lol
I think I am just used to the 2.0, but could there be something wrong?
Thanks for any response

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1 - 20 of 28 Posts

GTI Av8tor

· #2 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

Funny... I do the same thing (I'm new to the car as well). I think it's not being used to the VR6.

u4ea

· #3 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (GTI Av8tor)

Probably the drive by wire setup.
The accelerator is computer controled and takes a bit to get used to.

roadsleeper

· #4 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (u4ea)

I think that's it too, the 2.0s have cable throttles, there is a slight lag with the VR6s since they use drive by wire, or as U4ea said, computer controlled throttle. TO solve this... get UPsoluted!

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PhillyGirl

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (roadsleeper)

lol..thanks...I'll keep that in mind

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U n i o n 0015

· #6 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

I think you just aren't used to it. The 1st to 2nd shift is the hardest for me to make smooth too...but you will get used to it, and will get it to be fairly smooth, if not perfect. I am still trying to master it.

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vr6dubber23

· #7 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (U n i o n 0015)

quote:[HR][/HR]I think you just aren't used to it. The 1st to 2nd shift is the hardest for me to make smooth too...but you will get used to it, and will get it to be fairly smooth, if not perfect. I am still trying to master it.

[HR][/HR]

same here, first vr6, about a month old ... 1st to 2nd is something u just gotta practice ...

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2

swmacneil

· #8 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (U n i o n 0015)

quote:[HR][/HR]I think you just aren't used to it. The 1st to 2nd shift is the hardest for me to make smooth too...but you will get used to it, and will get it to be fairly smooth, if not perfect. I am still trying to master it.

[HR][/HR]

i have been driving VR6's for a total of 4 years including my MKIII Jetta VR6 (didnt do this as much in that car), and i still get it sometimes. its hard to NEVER do it. i will be getting UP'd soon so maybe it will go away after that

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Chris W

· #9 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

Hang in there PhillyGirl. I did the same move from a 2.0 and found it took a bit of time to get used to the VR6 5speed myself. Gettin rid of the drive by wire lag would help out a lot with via a chip. I remember pre-chip when I jabbed the throttle, the hiss of the fuel injectors were delayed by almost a second but may be too drastic depending on your comfort level with aftermarket stuff. Just give it some time!

catalytic

· #10 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

Mastering the 1->2 shift in a VW is an art. I've found there's 3 parts to it:
1. The Stick: shifting quicker (you can only pull the stick back so quickly, as the syncros are not designed for fast shifts, but do it faster than you've been doing it on your previous cars) along with shortening the time you're off the gas and the clutch is disengaged helps keep the engine/tranny speeds matched and makes for a smoother shift.
2. The Gas: when you lift off the gas, do it more gradually so that are still lifting off the gas when you pull the stick back, and back on the gas sooner as you let out the clutch. Match the timing so that you are getting back on the gas just as you reach the clutch engagement point.
3. The Clutch: push in the clutch more quickly. Not earlier, but more quickly, to match the faster shift. And let it out quicker, too -- the first half, anyways. *When you get close to the clutch engagement point (about halfway up), SLOW DOWN*. At this point you should be adding more gas as you let out the rest of the clutch. The timing of this part is important. Let out the clutch too quickly and you lurch. Too slowly and you wear out the clutch more quickly.
In a few weeks you'll be smoother as you experiment. I think you'll also find that the smoother your footwork is (you'll know what I mean when you get on a roll of smooth shifts), the smoother the shifts will be.

[Modified by catalytic, 12:01 AM 12-2-2001]

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billgti

· #11 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

does the same problem occur with the 1.8T?

medium cool

· #12 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

It's probably the unfortunate DBW set up. (1) give it more gas and practice. (2) Since you're in Phila., go over to Awe-Tuning and invest in a GIAC VR6 chip. I'd vote for (2).
However, first, please visit your friendly dealer and see if something is technically wrong. Might very well be machinery/ECU and not you...
Bonne Chance.

VRC-YA

· #13 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

Its a totally different feeling! When I first got my VR I was peeling out, and jerking all over the place in 1st and 2nd. And u don't even wanna know how bad my girlfriend was when she first drove it. You'll get used to it.

Asperi

· #14 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (VRC-YA)

hehe, u guys are terrible

its all about the clutch control!

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PhillyGirl

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (GTI628V)

Like I said, I've been driving stick for longer than some of you guys have been driving period! I am damn good at it...

I am thinking about the chip, now that so many of you guys said something...
Someone fill me in with exactly what to get, and what it will exactly do for the car?

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Cooper

· #16 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

It takes some getting used to.
I've been driving a stick for almost 20 years and 400,000 miles. I even had a VR6 before this one. But, the 1-2 shift in the new car is very different. As posted, I attribute it to the drive-by-wire. And, on top of that, there is a new clutch grab point to get used to.

PhillyGirl

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (Cooper)

Thanks cooper...

I'm bumping this to see if I get responses about my chip question from my earlier post...I also have a few others...
What will the chip do to the trade in value?
What is the cost?

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1BadAzzVR6

· #18 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

the chip wont do anything on value if u dont say anything

as for the price of the chip and install, its right around $300 for a GIAC chip. Of course there are others as well. All chips will eliminate the DBW system, virutally making it respond like a throttle cabled car.

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roadsleeper

· #19 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (PhillyGirl)

What will the chip do to the trade in value? Nothing, just don't tell them. The problem with chipping the car is that they have to break the seal to the ECU to get at the chip. If they ever ask if your car is chipped, play dumb.
What is the cost? You'll have to check with the chiptuning reps on this board, last I checked, UPsolute's price was $300.
Good luck! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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4thScirocco

· #20 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Rookie VR6 driver question... (roadsleeper)

Clutch control? I've had almost 20yrs experience driving stick. I consider myself a smooth driver. Even I seem to have trouble sometimes. The chip advice is good but I only plan to do it later.
I've read in this Forum that a stiffer wishbone motormount or motormount inserts also does the trick in eliminating the jerking. Can anyone comment?

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