BlackBeauty

I'm new to PDK and am going through the break-in of my .2. I'm noticing when the car slows and shirts to first gear before I stop that I can hear the clutch plate engaging with a mechanical bolt sound. I understand dual clutches from 2nd to 1st gear are not always the smoothest. Is this normal?

NoGaBiker

I only drive mine in manual mode, but the 2-1 downshift is rough and loud, with a mechanical thunk of engagement, compared to the other downshifts. Don't know if it's the same in auto or not, but I would assume so.

fester

It's normal.

BlackBeauty

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate it!

917k

OK, so now I'm thinking my experience is abnormal because I have not experienced the behaviour described; driving in manual mode too. No baulking sounds.

Does it depend perhaps on the level of revs going down?

JimHJr

I gotta say that I don't think I've ever heard any mechanical sounds when downshifting into first either. It's definitely not what I'd call smooth though when the revs are up.

When in manual I let the car in 2nd when pulling up to stoplights most of the time and the car will still shift into first when barely moving (low revs). Much smoother. Anyone else do this or something similar?

Ice9ine

My PDK downshifts from 2nd to 1st in auto mode are smooth. When in manual mode/Sport or Sport Plus, if I downshift from 2nd to first at 2,000rpm or higher, it's different. More abrupt, a bit rougher and noisier due to the rev-match (I have sport chrono).

I asked the Porsche Tech about this couple times during regular service, as I too was a new Porsche/PDK owner and worried about it. He said it's normal. He mentioned that PDK has to move the gears from 3rd to 1st, which is why it's noisier.

Others on this forum will know much more than I about PDK details, but from what you describe, it sounds normal.

STG

I have no mechanical "bolt sound" from second to first gear downshifts on a .1 PDK. Other than the higher rev sound, it is smooth. No other mechanical sounds.

991carreradriver

+1

BlackBeauty

It definitely is a mechanical sound of the gear engaging, not a thudding or shudder, rather it's just hearing the clutch engage- like metal in metal engagement, not a grinding sound.

I'll be doing an oil change at 2k so bringing it in soon but I know they'll tell me it's normal.

Austin-Guy

+1 Just took mine out, tried both auto and manual for at least 20 miles each with hills and turn (a lot of shifting). Smooth every time from 2nd to 1st.

bandi

I don't like the 2--1 clunk sound, so when slowing to a stoplight in manual mode, I blip both paddles to hit neutral then at a complete stop shift into 1st. Sure the clunk may not hurt anything but it sounds harmful, if that makes sense.

GSIRM3

That's what I do when in manual mode. I don't think I have ever downshifted into first manually. I know the 2nd to 1st downshifts in a regular manual are rather difficult as far as the amount of force required, so I just figured I would let the PDK shift into 1st for me. As you said, the car is almost to a stop before it shifts into first. If I am rolling along at less than 5 mph and still in 2nd, I have never felt like I needed 1st to get the car moving again quickly, and without lugging the engine. I have no mechanical sound at all when I let the PDK automatically shift into 1st, whether I am in manual mode or auto.

BlackBeauty

So I heard back from my SA- "sound is perfectly normal."

asz88

Hi, I have noticed the same at 4000 km.... Seems some people don't note this.. . And it's been variable for me.... I see you had it confirmed as being normal, but I wonder why it's not noticed by many?