[Lelandjt]

While trying to learn exactly how a PDK acts to determine if I could make the switch from a manual I've seen a couple references to it "coasting". The impression I'm getting is that in "Normal" mode when you let off the gas instead of keeping the clutch closed, cutting fuel, and engine braking it opens the clutch and coasts (essentially in neutral) and keeps fueling the engine enough to maintain idle revs. In "Sport" or "Sport+" it keeps the clutch closed and engine brakes. Am I understanding correctly?

This wouldn't necessarily be bad since there's times when I clutch or even shift to neutral if the situation dictates a very gradual reduction in speed but I'd like an easy way to control whether lifting off the throttle will induce coasting or engine braking in the currently selected gear. I guess using the sport chrono button to switch between normal and sport is the best way to do that?

I am planning to test drive a PDK but I want to get as much figured out before hand as possible.

 

[Znitz]

Yes, it works like that.
But my car doesn't coast while it is cold, it allows it when engine is warm enough.

 

[jimmuller]

Coasting mode de-clutches the drive train and lets the engine drop to idle. So it is a real neutral. It happens only if you lift off the accelerator gently. If you lift off more than some gentle amount, which is to say if you back off the gas, it assumes you want engine braking and does not go into coast mode. As soon as you touch the accelerator it re-clutches, and being a PDK it pre-knows what gear and does so immediately.

I don't recall if it works in Sport mode. Most of time when I'm in Sport mode I'm too active with the accelerator for it to work anyway.

 

[Lelandjt]

Ah, I like that you can determine coasting or engine braking by how abruptly you let off the gas pedal. The more I read the more I think I'll get along with PDK.

P.S. I'm pretty sure it only engine brakes in sport and sport+.

 

[Znitz]

In sports mode I have never been able to coast... Engine keeps a much higher rev, so I believe it will not allow coasting..

 

[johan]

Dont forget that you can disengage the clutch with the paddles any given time.
A quick press on both disengage and press either of the to engage the clutch.

Most of the time when i let go of the gas i want the car to engine brake, not to coast.
And if i want it to coast i do the paddle thing, but thats my style of driving

 

[Lelandjt]

I'm under the impression that you must be in auto for a single pull of the paddle to re-engage the clutch. In manual it refuses to leave neutral.

 

[jimmuller]

I was just checking the Good To Know manual, the version I downloaded to my phone. It lists prerequisites for "automatic coasting". In their words:
driving in selector lever position D,
cruise control mode not active,
engine, transmission, and battery are up to full operating temperature,
no major inclines or slopes.

It does not mention Sport or Normal mode. I often don't see coasting on the highway because I'm often in cruise control.

One thing it does say which I keep forgetting is that you can "use the gearshift paddle or selector lever to manually shift up beyond the highest possible gear". I suppose that means upshifting when you are already in 7th.

 

[johan]

I'm under the impression that you must be in auto for a single pull of the paddle to re-engage the clutch. In manual it refuses to leave neutral.

You can disengage/engage the clutch in any mode at any given time in all the modes.
Driving, coasting downhill, going uphill or at standstill, auto or manual, in normal - sport or sport+
Att standstill you only have to touch the brake to get it in first gear again.

So the PDK can be used as MT

 

[jimmuller]

I'm under the impression that you must be in auto for a single pull of the paddle to re-engage the clutch. In manual it refuses to leave neutral.

FWIW, most discussion about manual mode for the PDK is moot. It runs fine all by itself in most any driving situation. I had thought I'd like to drive in manual mode quite often but I find I forget that I'm in manual mode. I guess that because there is no clutch pedal. I end up shift for myself only in special situations.

 

[Lelandjt]

At standstill you only have to touch the brake to get it in first gear again.

So if I want to us this feature to do a little burnout when pulling away from a stop sign:
I've already put it in neutral by pulling both paddles. While revving the engine I need to tap the brake just as I pull the right paddle to dump into first gear.
Sounds like the only trick is stepping on the brake just before you pull the paddle and letting off the brake just as the clutch/1st gear is engaging. Too late and the brake will eat the flywheel's momentum. It'll be a little different than how I've always done it in a manual but hopefully this dog isn't too old to learn new tricks.

Now, if I can only figure out how to perform a handbrake turn in these new hand brakeless cars.... I've seen a Cayman rallying. I bet that guy rigged up a handbrake.

 

[johan]

So if I want to us this feature to do a little burnout when pulling away from a stop sign:
I've already put it in neutral by pulling both paddles. While revving the engine I need to tap the brake just as I pull the right paddle to dump into first gear.
Sounds like the only trick is stepping on the brake just before you pull the paddle and letting off the brake just as the clutch/1st gear is engaging. Too late and the brake will eat the flywheel's momentum. It'll be a little different than how I've always done it in a manual but hopefully this dog isn't too old to learn new tricks.

Now, if I can only figure out how to perform a handbrake turn in these new hand brakeless cars.... I've seen a Cayman rallying. I bet that guy rigged up a handbrake.

Well there is 3 different ways to do it.
Turn of the PSM completely, hold your foot on the brake, rev the engine and release the brake - thats Poor mans launch control.
I am not sure if it works in all the different modes and the car limits the rpm to 4000 - 4500

In a SC equipped do launch control with the PSM completely of - does not always produce o burn out but one H-ll of a ride

Have the PCM completely of, at standstill and in gear, release the brake and floor it, uses the engine power to spin the wheels.

So if burn outs are that important a MT would suit you better cause then you can do consistent burn outs all day long

 

[Viffermike]

Now, if I can only figure out how to perform a handbrake turn in these new hand brakeless cars.... I've seen a Cayman rallying. I bet that guy rigged up a handbrake.

Hate to say it, but you're going to have to give up a few of those 'old tricks' in a PDK car. I doubt that the Cayman you've seen rallying is a 718 with a PDK (though it could be done).

You might be interested in knowing that e-brakes were originally an EU requirement and were slow on the uptake in the U.S. because of malfunction concerns. I mention this because the continent that has historically loved all-manual cars the most is the one that pushed for e-brake implementation first. Take from that what you will.

Driving is simply changing, as it always has. (Be thankful you're not of the generation that dealt with chokes, carbuetors, drum brakes, and bias-ply tires, among many other things.)

 

[Treemagnet]

Driving is simply changing, as it always has. (Be thankful you're not of the generation that dealt with chokes, carbuetors, drum brakes, and bias-ply tires, among many other things.)

I hardly ever think about carbs, chokes, and drum brakes anymore. Like most, we learned to deal, but are glad they're gone.

Bias-ply tires...well, they still give me nightmares! Did far too many rainy bias-ply tire miles in my Beetles and Corvair. I can only imagine how dangerous they would be on our 718's...probably give me night sweats and require scream therapy.

 

[MLJJ]

Driving is simply changing, as it always has. (Be thankful you're not of the generation that dealt with chokes, carbuetors, drum brakes, and bias-ply tires, among many other things.)

I do enjoy the new technology, but it was magic to keep a really old car running when its timing belt had stretched and a simple adjustment of the distributor cap gave it new life for a while. Of course, I was much younger and poorer then and had to learn how to keep things running. Nostalgia I suppose. It was nice to be able to get home when something went wrong with a simple tool box in the trunk rather than calling the tow truck.

 

[DriveInHouston]

The only thing I haven't experienced is the manual advance!...Dealt with chokes, carburetors, drum brakes, and bias-ply tires, the last 3 in the same car...

I am grateful those days are over!...

If you like the good ol' days, how would you like your Boxster to drop down to 120 HP rather than sniffing around for a dial-a-horsepower program to get 420HP?

 

[Viffermike]

The only thing I haven't experienced is the manual advance!...Dealt with chokes, carburetors, drum brakes, and bias-ply tires, the last 3 in the same car...

I am grateful those days are over!...

If you like the good ol' days, how would you like your Boxster to drop down to 120 HP rather than sniffing around for a dial-a-horsepower program to get 420HP?

It really is chuckle-inducing how relative all of this is. Just 14 years ago I was switching out needle jets in a carbuetor to get slightly better (read: more linear) throttle response but keep horsepower peaked out ...

... on a track-prepped motorcycle.

For some, a bike with a carb is, and always will be, the most straightforward and 'manual' vehicular experience available.

 

[Treemagnet]

Did pretty much all the maintenance in the “good” old days. Became the local SU carb “savant“ in an effort to keep my Datsun SRL-311 (2000 roadster) performing at its best...until upgrading to 50mm Solex Mikuni’s.

Mostly enjoyed working on all my cars back then. Glad I don’t have to now...and my knuckles are more than grateful.

 

[jimmuller]

Speaking of coast mode...earlier in this thread I wrote:

It [the GTK manual] does not mention Sport or Normal mode. I often don't see coasting on the highway because I'm often in cruise control.

One thing it does say which I keep forgetting is that you can "use the gearshift paddle or selector lever to manually shift up beyond the highest possible gear". I suppose that means upshifting when you are already in 7th.

I tried some of this over the weekend. Of course coast mode happens automatically in non-Sport mode as expected. I could not make coast mode happen when the drive train was set for Sport.

I tried the " manually shift up beyond the highest possible gear" described in the manual. Nuthin'. I have no idea what that section in the manual was describing. However I did observe that the PDK will not upshift if the current gear is already high for the car's speed.

 

[jimmuller]

Yesterday I did get the PDK to coast by shifting up past 7th. Don't know what was different. Today I did the both-paddles trick. It coasted. Didn't think to try re-engaging by touching the gas pedal. Pulled the upshift paddle instead. It work just fine.