[copernicus]

My wife got a Q5 3.0 TDI with the S-tronic (DSG, stronic) transmission today.

I am confused about the automatic hold assist feature, and also about what to do if you stay in traffic.

It sounds like that if you don't want to worry about the car going back on a hill, you should turn on the the hold assist "(A)" button.

Is there any reason not to have this (A) button on all the time?

My second question is, if you stay in traffic for a long time, should you put the car in N and use the hand brake, or is it ok to stay with your foot on the brake and the car in D?

 

[Rahoo]

I wish I had been told about the hill start option (was only ?30) so in traffic I put the handbrake on and leave in D as soo as you drive off the electronic break turns off, the same on the hills

hope this is helpful

 

[bry]

Still waiting for my Q5 but i have hill hold assist on our S5.
With it switched on it will apply the parking brake every time you stop to prevent you rolling forward or back and you can sit at a junction or in traffic without your foot on the brake. If you don't move off again soon enough it will put the full parking brake on the green P symbol on the dash is replaced with a red one. It will also put the full parking brake on if you get out of the car. I noticed this the other week getting out to open some gates. Well worth the few quid it cost

 

[copernicus]

I feel like an idiot. I have automatic hold assist on my manual transmission A5 but I never noticed the (A) button before.

I thought I had gotten something called "hill assist" and thought that the parking brake going off automatically if I set it and then moved forward was the feature. I thought my wife's car had something more.

I tried the (A) button yesterday in my A5 and think I don't like it. I am happy using the normal parking brake if I need it on a hill in my manual car. Not having to worry about releasing it is good enough for me. I don't like having to fight against it a little every time I start.

However, my wife said she tried the (A) button on her s-tronic Q5 yesterday and was happy with having it it on all the time.

Also, I read elsewhere that it is a good idea to keep the s-tronic in N if you stop in traffic for a long time, so I asked her to do this.

 

[Andy]

I really like using it on hills but I generally turn mine off under normal flat conditions - I don't like the very slight hesitation just as you put your foot on the accelerator. Although if i'm at some lights and decide I want a quick getaway, putting it on saves a little time rather than having your foot on the brake

 

[copernicus]

I tried driving my wife's s-tronic Q5 with (A) on yesterday and it was different than with my manual A5. I didn't notice any hesitation or fighting against the parking bake when starting forward with the s-tronic.

I wonder if Rahoo could get this option installed? I think it maybe just needs the button and maybe a firmware update.

 

[Rahoo]

i asked and they said it was unavailible for retro fitting which was as helpful as normal !

 

[dejongj]

Am I missing something? We didn't get it discussing this option, I've driven automatics for years and not matter where I am when I come to a halt I have my foot on the brake? When you drive away you won't roll back with an automatic...I really can't see the benefit of this option unless I am missing something...Manual different story, but auto???

 

[rgf]

dejongj,
if you have missed something, you are not alone. Me too don't understand the need for hill assist combined with an automatic transmission.

I am also wondering about how the S tronic handles long periods where the car is stopped and with the transmission in drive mode. An ordinary auto with converter can be in this situation "for ever" as long the oil is cooled without any mechanical wearing. But what about the clutch in the S tronic, will it slide as long you have it in drive mode, or will it disengage after a while. If it disengages, I understand the need for Hill Assist. If it do not disengage, will it be weared down after some years?

Sorry for my poor english, but it is not my first language.

Rgds,
Roger

(just ordered Q5 2.0 tdi S-line S tronic)

 

[dejongj]

Your English is great, btw I am not native English speaker either although I do live in England.

Your technical knowledge i much greater than mine. If there is a lot of waiting I normally just put it in neutral, but more to ease my foot than for other reasons. Technically I don't don't about the stronic but I thought it was just a normal 7 speed automatic with a manual override.

Btw my wife currently has a murano with the cvt gearbox which operates the same. My pickup truck, Nissan navara, has got a fully automatic hill hold feature on the auto gearbox but I find it unnatural not to have my foot on the brake stopping on a hill.

But each to their own, seem like people on here would call me mad spending money on the satnav

 

[Andy]

dejongj/rgf - Totally agree with what you are saying but it does come in useful especially if you want a quick getaway and the fact it was dirt cheap I thought it would be good to try it and I'm glad I got it.

As to options and satnav in particular - each to their own. IMHO spending 2 grand on a satnav that doesn't have the full functionaility I require which i can get in a 300 quid TomTom makes it a waste of money to me. I do get that it is built in so easier to use so no faffing around and of course the trade in value will be slightly better.
I suppose the thing that really gets me is the fact the manufacturers are ripping us all off with those sort of prices on satnav. 1 grand I can see but anything more is just pure greed as far as I'm concerned.
That's just me though, everyone has their own uses and opinions