PDK in the Rain
01-20-2019, 12:12 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
PDK in the Rain
Last weekend I had a student with a PDK (I drive a MT) who was a bit abusive with the pedals. Every time I get in a PDK car I am amazed at how intuitive and awesome the PDK is. It rained on Sunday which presented an excellent chance to smoothen out those pedal inputs. However, the PDK kept kicking down a gear when you wanted the car to corner in a higher gear with less torque (wet track, actively raining). We experimented on the straight, in 6th gear, and slowly squeezed the throttle. Once the throttle gets to a certain point (my student searched RL after the session and found that point to be around 85% throttle) the PDK would kick down - we were in full Manual Mode. We managed the remainder of the rain sessions by short shifting in order to prevent kick-down so we never got that squeeze to full throttle on track out. 
I am looking for advise from others. Is there a work around to prevent the kick-down (as noted we were in full Manual Mode)? Are there any tips or tricks to work through this? PDK drivers need to know and PDK instructors need to understand. Thanks
I am looking for advise from others. Is there a work around to prevent the kick-down (as noted we were in full Manual Mode)? Are there any tips or tricks to work through this? PDK drivers need to know and PDK instructors need to understand. Thanks
01-20-2019, 12:29 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
In my experience, the PDK will behave as you have stated above until it learns what it is you are doing. For example, in full auto it will initially upshift around 8500 rpm. After a couple of sessions, it will shift at 9,000. The same happens on downshifts, although not a the limit of 9,000. . I have not tried to intentionally stay in a higher gear in the rain, because I won't drive in the rain. Perhaps, another will have a similar experience and provide some guidance.
01-20-2019, 12:52 PM
#3
Intermediate
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991.1 PDK, Sport+, Manual mode. My understanding and experience is that you can force a downshift even in manual if you push the throttle into the kickdown switch. About the last 1/8" of pedal travel that you can feel as higher pedal pressure than the normal travel. I have also read that the PDK will upshift automatically in manual if the kickdown switch is depressed when the motor hits redline.
01-20-2019, 09:13 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
In full manual mode, sport + from what I understand and have experienced, if you hammer down on the throttle the kick-down will come on and downshift. I've never had it upshift on me, although if you hit redline it should.
01-21-2019, 09:51 AM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Non-GT cars have a "switch" at the end of throttle pedal with a distinct feel of resistance. When you push "through" that it kicks down, even in full manual mode. If you have a GT car, it never kicks down in manual mode.
01-21-2019, 12:19 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
01-21-2019, 01:17 PM
#7
Instructor
One thing you could try is to have them change from Sport+ to Sport. It sounds like the student is hard on the throttle and the tighter throttle response of Sport+ isn't doing them any favors in the rain. And if they have TC turned on still, Sport mode will also help them a little more in the rain comparied to Sport+.
Once they get comfortable in Sport mode then they can try Sport+ again.
Once they get comfortable in Sport mode then they can try Sport+ again.
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01-21-2019, 03:39 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
One thing you could try is to have them change from Sport+ to Sport. It sounds like the student is hard on the throttle and the tighter throttle response of Sport+ isn't doing them any favors in the rain. And if they have TC turned on still, Sport mode will also help them a little more in the rain comparied to Sport+.
Once they get comfortable in Sport mode then they can try Sport+ again.
Once they get comfortable in Sport mode then they can try Sport+ again.
01-21-2019, 09:45 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
01-22-2019, 09:31 AM
#11
Originally Posted by IPSA
Takes a little practice to not " floor " the loud pedal in non GT cars because of the kick down. It can be learned but it can also be exciting on corner exit in some situations...
01-22-2019, 09:44 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
Not exactly the same - but I had a student this weekend in a 500+ WHP Audi with a dual clutch trans. Same thing. To make matters worse - the car had been tuned so when the turbo spooled - it hit HARD. The only way around the unanticipated disruption was to go full manual mode.
Needless to say - the car was a riot.
Needless to say - the car was a riot.
01-23-2019, 09:51 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
