Four and five-speed automatic transmissions (VW Passat B6)

Contents: Work programs ↓ Selector lock ↓ Selector positions ↓ Recommendations for choosing…↓ Kick-down ↓ Manual mode of automatic…↓ Selector lock ↓

Work programs

The automatic transmission control system provides for various transmission operation programs. Depending on the driver's actions or the vehicle's driving conditions, either an economical program, i.e. one aimed at saving fuel, or an active program, which can be very conditionally called "sporty", is selected.

The selection of the gearbox operating program is carried out automatically depending on the nature of the driver's work with the accelerator pedal.

When operating the accelerator pedal slowly or normally, engaging higher gears early and downshifting later can save fuel.

The so-called "sport" program of the gearbox operation is selected when the accelerator pedal is controlled quite sharply. In this case, the accelerator pedal should not be pressed so vigorously, so as not to unnecessarily cross the threshold of pressure on the accelerator pedal, beyond which a forced anticipatory inclusion of a lower gear, provided in the gearbox control system - kick-down, occurs. When selecting the "sport" mode, the engine power reserves are fully utilized due to a slight delay in switching to a higher gear.

Note: Depending on the driving resistance, for example when towing a trailer or driving on an incline, a program is automatically selected to provide increased traction on the drive wheels by shifting down to a lower gear and thus avoid constant gear shifting.

Selector lock

The selector is locked in the "P" and "N" positions when the ignition is on. To move the selector out of these positions, you need to press the brake pedal and push the button in the selector handle. Thanks to this, there is no situation where one of the gears can be inadvertently engaged and the car will move off completely uncontrollably.

To remind the driver to press the brake pedal and the button in the selector handle, a warning indicator lamp lights up in the instrument panel.

The design of the automatic transmission includes a delay device so that when changing from one position to another via the "N" position (for example, from "R" to "D"), the selector is not blocked. This allows the stuck vehicle to "rock" freely. Only when the selector is in the "N" position for more than one second without pressing the brake pedal, does the selector lock.

At speeds above 5 km/h, the selector lock in position "N" is automatically disengaged.

Selector positions

Fig. 1.68. Automatic transmission selector lever

P – Parking lock.

The drive wheels are mechanically locked.

The selector should be moved to this position only when the car is completely stopped. Before switching on and off the "P" position, it is necessary to press the lock button on the selector handle. Before switching off this position with the ignition on, it is necessary to additionally press the brake pedal.

Warning: Never move the selector lever to the "R" or "P" position while driving. The gearbox may fail and there is a risk of an accident.

R – Reverse.

The reverse position should only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stopped and the engine is idling. Before shifting to the "R" position from the "P" or "N" positions, the brake pedal must be depressed and the lock button in the selector handle must be pressed.

In the "R" position with the ignition on, the reversing lights come on.

N – Neutral position (idle position).

When moving the selector from the "N" position at a speed of up to 5 km/h, as well as when the car is stationary and the ignition is on, you should press the brake pedal and press the lock button on the selector handle. However, it is not necessary to press the lock button when moving the selector from the "N" position to the "D" position.

D – Long forward movement.

Four gears shift from low to high and vice versa automatically depending on the engine load and the driving speed.

Under certain driving conditions, it may be advisable to temporarily use one of the following positions.

3 – Position for "hilly" sections of the road.

This selector position is recommended when, under certain driving conditions, with the selector in position "D", frequent shifting from 3rd to 4th gear and vice versa occurs.

To move the selector to this position, press the lock button in the selector handle. The 1st, 2nd or 3rd gears are automatically shifted up and down depending on the engine load and the speed. The 4th gear is locked. This also increases the braking effect of the engine when the fuel supply is cut off.

2 – Position for mountainous road sections.

This position is recommended for long climbs and descents.

The original text can be found on the portal VWManual

Automatically switch up and down 1st or 2nd gear depending on the engine load and driving speed. 3rd and 4th gears remain locked to avoid unnecessary shifts to higher gears. This also increases the efficiency of engine braking.

1 – Position for mountainous road sections with large slopes.

Selecting this position is recommended when riding on steep climbs and descents.

When this position is engaged, the lock button on the selector handle must be pressed. The car moves only in 1st gear. 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears are locked to avoid unnecessary upshifts. This achieves the maximum possible engine braking effect.

Cruise control cannot be used in position "1" of the selector.

Note: When manually switching in descending order, you can go to positions "3", "2" and "1"; however, downshifting occurs automatically only when the maximum permissible engine speed is not exceeded after the shift.

Recommendations for choosing positions

Starting the engine.

The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in the "N" or "P" positions. See also "Starting the engine".

Selecting a position for movement.

Before moving the selector to one of the driving positions with the vehicle stationary and the engine running, you must always press the brake pedal.

When selecting a position with the vehicle stationary, do not press the accelerator pedal.

If the selector lever is accidentally set to the "N" position while the vehicle is moving, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal and wait until the engine is idling before moving the lever to any forward position.

Attention: When the engine is running, it is necessary to hold the car with the foot brake when the selector is in any of the driving positions, since even when the engine is idling, the transmission of torque to the wheels is not completely interrupted - the car "crawls".

Caution: If one of the driving positions is selected when the vehicle is stationary, the accelerator pedal must not be pressed uncontrollably under any circumstances (including increasing the fuel supply by hand from the engine compartment). The car will immediately start moving - and this can happen under certain circumstances even when the parking brake is applied.

Caution: Before performing any work on a running engine, set the selector to position "P" and apply the parking brake.

Moving off

Select one of the movement positions (R, D, 3, 2, 1). Wait until the transmission engages and the power flow reaches the drive wheels (a slight jerk is felt). Only then press the accelerator pedal.

Stop

When stopping briefly, for example at a traffic light, there is no need to shift into position "N". It is sufficient to hold the car with the brake. The engine, however, should only run at idle speed.

Parking

To avoid uncontrolled rolling of the car, you should always firmly tighten the parking brake after the car has come to a complete stop. Additionally, set the automatic transmission selector to the "P" position.

On a slope, first firmly apply the parking brake and then move the selector to the parking lock position. This order of operations will prevent the locking mechanism from being overloaded and will make it easy to move the selector out of this position later.

Towing for the purpose of starting the engine

Towing or pushing a vehicle with an automatic transmission to start the engine will never cause the engine to start.

If the battery is discharged, you can use the battery of another car to start the engine using jumper cables.

Kick-down

Kick-down (device for forced forward switching to a lower gear) provides maximum acceleration of the vehicle under given driving conditions. As soon as the pressure on the accelerator pedal exceeds a certain threshold value, depending on the engine speed and driving speed, a shift to one of the lower gears occurs. The return shift to the next higher gear will only follow when the maximum permissible crankshaft speed is reached.

Caution: Be aware that on slippery roads, the drive wheels may begin to slip when forced to downshift. There is a risk of skidding.

Manual mode of automatic transmission shifting

This gear shift mode (Tiptronic system) allows the driver to manually shift gears.

To switch to the manual shift program, move the selector from position "D" to the right. The transition can be made both when the car is stationary and when moving. When shifting gears, numbers appear on the display "5, 4, 3, 2, 1". The gear currently engaged is shown (see arrow).

A slight push of the selector forward (+) engages the gears up in sequence, and a slight push backward (–) engages the gears down in sequence.

When accelerating the car, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears are automatically engaged shortly before the engine reaches the maximum permissible rotation speed.

If the driver shifts from a gear to a lower gear, the transmission control unit will only engage this lower gear when there is no danger of the engine over-revving.