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Can I disable PDK "kickdown"?

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Old 05-17-2016 | 02:12 PM
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Default Can I disable PDK "kickdown"?

Hi there,

I have one thing that drives me crazy when tracking my car and I was wondering if there's a fix for it:
Even in SportPlus mode the PDK will upshift if it "feels" you're a gear too high.
Example: You're taking turn 3 in Laguna Seca in 3rd gear and now want to accelerate out of the turn. The PDK will now downshift into 2nd gear. If you don't notice that and think you're still in 3rd you will hit the limiter very quickly

Again: This is in SportsPlus mode, this throws me off so much that usually i give up fighting the PDK and throw it ino all-automatic in frustration

Any ideas?

Last edited by Hatzenbach; 05-17-2016 at 03:02 PM.
Old 05-17-2016 | 02:24 PM
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I had the exact same issue - you can build up the bottom of the pedal or around the floor surrounding the kick down "button" so the pedal stops at the button and doesn't depress it. I heard trying to disable it screws other stuff up so was recommended to do it with a physical limitation.

It's meant for passing on the highway and I also hate how it downshifts in corners where you want to maintain the gear like a short shift.
Old 05-17-2016 | 02:55 PM
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Cool, so you're saying that the last 3~5% of pedal travel (when the kickdown kicks in) doesn't open the throttle any wider? so it's not like i would be missing out on power?
Old 05-17-2016 | 02:57 PM
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How about driving it in manual mode and changing gears on your own?
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Old 05-17-2016 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by BostonDMD
How about driving it in manual mode and changing gears on your own?
+1
Old 05-17-2016 | 03:09 PM
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For me, I just tutored my right foot. You can feel that point where if you go beyond...

I've never heard of any way to defeat/disconnect it. It even kicks down if you're in paddle shift / manual mode.
Old 05-17-2016 | 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by BostonDMD
How about driving it in manual mode and changing gears on your own?
I think that's what he's talking about. He selects a gear but mid corner it automatically kicks down a gear on him without him realizing... therefore messing up his exit by hitting the limiter for which in sport plus it won't kick back up automatically.
Old 05-17-2016 | 03:35 PM
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I never drove my car in auto mode with PDK and also really struggled with this situation. Even if you do not go all the way down, it will want to downshift. The only answer was to just go with the flow and rev the $#@! out of the car... I was trying to be nice to my car and not beat it up as much and ended up getting the message and just revving it. No more kickdown problems...

Very annoying though.
Old 05-17-2016 | 03:41 PM
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IBKibortsaysheshouldbein2ndanyway,
Old 05-17-2016 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by BostonDMD
How about driving it in manual mode and changing gears on your own?
That's what I am doing, however if you read my post closely, you will see that the PDK has a mind of its own even in manual
Or are you suggesting I throw out the PDK and replace it with a manual tranny ;-)
Old 05-17-2016 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by GTgears
IBKibortsaysheshouldbein2ndanyway,
Old 05-17-2016 | 04:21 PM
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As noted in post #2, there is a detent at the end of the throttle pedal travel that engages the kickdown. You can feel it and it needs an extra effort to engage it. It's easy to avoid using it if you can feel the pedal.
If you stamp on the throttle, it will kickdown but I can't believe that you would not feel the difference. I use it in manual mode as needed.
Old 05-17-2016 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Glyndellis
As noted in post #2, there is a detent at the end of the throttle pedal travel that engages the kickdown. You can feel it and it needs an extra effort to engage it. It's easy to avoid using it if you can feel the pedal.
If you stamp on the throttle, it will kickdown but I can't believe that you would not feel the difference. I use it in manual mode as needed.
On my car it would downshift even without pushing the detent...
Old 05-17-2016 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Hatzenbach
Cool, so you're saying that the last 3~5% of pedal travel (when the kickdown kicks in) doesn't open the throttle any wider? so it's not like i would be missing out on power?
The throttle does not open up any wider when it kicks down - it's purely a downshift mechanism and not a throttle control.

Originally Posted by BostonDMD
How about driving it in manual mode and changing gears on your own?
That sounds so simple doesn't it? Well.. the problem is EVEN in manual mode the freaking thing will downshift when you press the pedal beyond the kick down. It's SO STUPID and annoying.
Old 05-17-2016 | 06:43 PM
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I have the fortune of racing a manual SPB at the track
And driving my 2009 CS with PDK (spring/summer DD)on the freeway
I can't imagine it be so difficult to drive a PDK car on the track.
I would think the coaches here or those that race with PDK transmissions will have an answer.


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