[ChrisM]

Keeping the car in D with your foot on the brake pedal dazzles the driver behind. Generally out of courtesy I slip the car into N and use the handbrake. Thats one reason I absolutely loathe VWs's requirement to press the brake pedal to return the selector to D. I don't have this problem in my Renault nor my parents Volvo autos. Only VW

 

[Tommo]

Auto is an abbreviation of automatic, the DSG gearbox is automated which is a completely different construction. Could just be a slip of the tongue on his part but I would not be taking any engineers advice as gospel. Once upon a time I was an engineer and I can assure you they are highly qualified in the art of BS.

Certainly no slip of the tongue DJ, I asked him a specific question and I got a definitive reply, if you consider it BS that's ok

 

[Tommo]

Keeping the car in D with your foot on the brake pedal dazzles the driver behind. Generally out of courtesy I slip the car into N and use the handbrake. Thats one reason I absolutely loathe VWs's requirement to press the brake pedal to return the selector to D. I don't have this problem in my Renault nor my parents Volvo autos. Only VW

Agree Chris, but it seems to be the norm now with more Auto's on the road and the hold function on EPB's also keep the brake lights on

 

[Tricky2]

I concur, my Volvo hold the car with autohold, even when you take your foot off the pedal, and maintains the brake lights on to show you're braked.

 

[Digitalracer]

My understanding is DSG is not an automatic gearbox as such, but a manual gearbox which is computer controlled. And my friendly salesman says foot on brake in D applies to this type of box.

 

[DJ_Cyprus]

I’ve only had the T Cross for a couple of weeks so am still going through my how and why does it work phase.
I came across a good YouTube clip (DSG Transmissions Explained) from FCP Euro. In summary he explains how the wet clutch works well for lightly tuned performance cars using the factory fitted clutch pack and transmission provided it is properly serviced. Normal driving he expects to see a life exceeding 150,000 miles from the wet clutch. Even with a serious thrashing round a race track he is seeing 50,000 miles.
So I don’t think we need worry to much about clutch wear stopping at traffic lights

 

[Tricky2]

The 1 litre engine uses a dry clutch DSG

 

[dee-dar]

Been driving over 60 years and the T cross is my first automatic "love it" had it for 3 years, only use the handbrake for parking up, long stops at roadworks and traffic hold ups. My wife has really taken to the automatic gearbox, can't stop her wanting to drive! No more dodgy hill starts and clutch slipping gear changes.

 

[Tommo]

Been driving over 60 years and the T cross is my first automatic "love it" had it for 3 years, only use the handbrake for parking up, long stops at roadworks and traffic hold ups. My wife has really taken to the automatic gearbox, can't stop her wanting to drive! No more dodgy hill starts and clutch slipping gear changes.

Dee,can you clarify, are you putting the car in neutral in traffic holdups or leaving it in Drive with the handbrake on and releasing the footbrake ?

 

[dee-dar]

Yes Tommo , I do select neutral and put the hand brake on and then release the foot brake.

 

[Tommo]

Yes Tommo , I do select neutral and put the hand brake on and then release the foot brake.

Cheers

 

[DJ_Cyprus]

Interesting YouTube article about the DSG gearbox operation.

Personally I like to put gearbox in neutral when stopped at lights and the video gives a small validation to this.

 

[Dmitry]

Couple of comments on above topic: 1) According to the Highway Code, you do not need to apply the handbrake at every junction or traffic light; however, it is generally considered good practice to use it if you are stopped for a significant amount of time, especially on a hill, to prevent your car from rolling unintentionally. However, it is a good practice to put a handbrake on to prevent hitting car in front in case someone smashes you from the back. Considering that (especially for those who used to practice applying handbrake on the traffic lights), it is not practical to keep the car on D and pushing the foot break at the same time. Combination of D and handbrake will surely burn the clutch as clutch will be engaged as long as foot break is not applied. 2) IMO combination of N + handbrake while you expect to stay for a bit longer is the best for those who practice applying the handbrake

 

[Tricky2]

The logic controlling the DSG clutches fully disengages them when the brakes are applied, when you take your foot off the brake, the clutches engage a specific amount of torque to replicate automatic creep. So no, you don't wear out the clutch and don't need to put it in N.

The video proves this, showing zero engagement when on the brakes contrary to the assertion in that post.

 

[Digitalracer]

I asked this question at the garage when I bought it and was told to keep it in D.