Difficulty reversing smoothly with PDK

[Andy 997]

Hi guys, im new to the forum, and to 997 ownership, so please forgive me if this is a silly question. I have had my car for just over a week now and have been having difficulty reversing smoothly with the PDK. Firstly its a 2009 997 carrera S.
When I drive away from a standstill the car starts to roll as soon as the brake is released, this i know is normal. But when I apply gentle throttle the car moves forward normally at first, and then the revs start to rise to maybe 1500 or 2000 but the car actually starts to slow down, it then surges forward and away we go. If I apply a more aggressive throttle when initially moving away it all seems perfectly normal and the car behaves fine. Now I have learned to modulate the throttle to move away smoothly enough in traffic by allowing the car in front to get far enough away that I dont surge into the back of it.
But reversing into supermarket spaces or up my drive is a proper pain. The car wont creep up my drive as its on a slope so i need to use a gentle throttle, you can imagine my fear whilst adding more and more throttle waiting for the car to start moving and then whoosh it takes off up the drive and im shitting myself.
I know this cant be normal but I also dont know the answer to this problem, the car has 57000 miles, it is due the PDK fluid changes at 60000 miles, could this be the answer? Should I do a reset on the gearbox with the AC On 3 mins off 3 mins trick? Or do I have bigger problems. Car still under warranty for another few months but didnt want to bother the dealer if its something simple that a novice like me is missing.
Can anyone help point me in the right direction before I twat my shiny 997 into the wifes BMW! 😨😨😲

 

[segart]

Funny! Personally Andy I would go and chat with your opc and see if there is some adjustment he can make, as it is under warranty.
Fwiw my 2010 is largely the same. I reverse into my garage, up a very gentle incline, and have a similar issue to you, with my motorcycle behind me at the other end of the garage. Crucially though mine sounds a bit more controllable, and in pulling away forwards behaves correctly and progressively, so maybe the opc can tweak yours up a tad.
Cheers
Rick

 

[Magic919]

The low speed behaviour changed when they put the later software on mine. Would be worth doing that when they change the clutch oil.

 

[Andy 997]

Thank you guys, I am much happier now. I had never driven a Porsche before owning this 997 so had never expirienced the PDK before. My Bmw 430i has the 8 speed ZF auto and is incredible. Not as fast to change as the PDK (no dual clutch), but super smooth. I suppose i shouldnt compare 11 year old tech to todays tech, but im glad it will improve once i get the oils changed and some up to date software.
Thanks again for your input, this forum is full of kind knowlegable people. :worship: :thumbs:

 

[Luddite]

Andy, I have not owned a Porsche in years and the idea that you have to adapt your driving style to what seem likely to be failings in the operation of the PDK system kinda frustrates my idea of any kind of reasonable expectation in the way any well maintained Porsche should perform..

Should anyone try to inform me that they are all like that, I might be inclined to be really disappointed with the marque, which for me is not what I was hoping for when I thought to own another Porsche. With bore score, intermediate bearing failure, rear main bearing oil seal issues which seemed to affect way too many 996/7.1 Porsche and others. It is disappointing to read that a circa 60k mile Porsche that looks almost as good as new can have any such issues, more so perhaps in that I thought PDK might be a better option for an old dude like me than the manual boxes I ever preferred.

Sorry if this comes across as a bit of a rant.... Just that I think the Porsche marketing hype over so many years may have created a customer base perhaps too "brand loyal" or too concerned to complain, lest the faithful come down on them like a ton of bricks..?

After all how can so many people be wrong... it must just be me...? Jeez that would be some marketing strategy..? Emperors new clothes ring a bell..?

You have the right to expect better Andy.... well at least in my book..!

Good luck with whatever route you take. :thumb:

 

[shortsoundman]

I would say it's a feature of the dual clutch auto box. My 09 PDK isn't the easiest to judge at low speeds. Yet like you my torque converter BMW ZF car is very easy to predict how the power will be delivered.

I also run a 2018 VW T6 with a DSG box and this also has similar issues if you want to reverse smoothly up an slope. There are plenty over on the VW California forums than moan about it constantly.

 

[Cameo]

I have the same PDK behaviour in our 18 month old Macan so I think it's a limitation in the dual clutch system as opposed to old tech. Our driveway also slopes up and when I reverse up it cautiously it fells like the clutch disengages because the car will actually roll forwards. I find it infuriating.

The 8 speed ZF in our BMW far better - and it immediately finds reverse instead of having to wait a few beats with the PDK. :thumbs:

 

[Andy 997]

I suppose i will just see what happens when i get the transmition fluids changed, I contacted a porsche specialist and asked when i could be booked in for this work, but they informed me that they do not have the ability/software to carry out the work!
So is this job a Porsche main dealer only thing? I know its more complicated than it would appear, as the gearbox i believe needs to be reset once the oil is changed. But i would have thought a porsche specialist should be able to carry out the work. Has anyone else had the PDK fluids changed by a specialist? My wallet has a heart attack if i drive to close to a Main dealer.

 

[Norfolk & Idea]

Andy, I have not owned a Porsche in years and the idea that you have to adapt your driving style to what seem likely to be failings in the operation of the PDK system kinda frustrates my idea of any kind of reasonable expectation in the way any well maintained Porsche should perform..

Should anyone try to inform me that they are all like that, I might be inclined to be really disappointed with the marque, which for me is not what I was hoping for when I thought to own another Porsche. With bore score, intermediate bearing failure, rear main bearing oil seal issues which seemed to affect way too many 996/7.1 Porsche and others. It is disappointing to read that a circa 60k mile Porsche that looks almost as good as new can have any such issues, more so perhaps in that I thought PDK might be a better option for an old dude like me than the manual boxes I ever preferred.

Sorry if this comes across as a bit of a rant.... Just that I think the Porsche marketing hype over so many years may have created a customer base perhaps too "brand loyal" or too concerned to complain, lest the faithful come down on them like a ton of bricks..?

After all how can so many people be wrong... it must just be me...? Jeez that would be some marketing strategy..? Emperors new clothes ring a bell..?

You have the right to expect better Andy.... well at least in my book..!

Good luck with whatever route you take. :thumb:

Oooh, neggy vibes maaan.....

I think your negativity is a tad unfounded.

The modern 911 is the best sports car money can buy. Only my opinion of course.

I've owned two 911 turbo's over the last 5 years. A 997.2 and now a 991.1. I can honestly say I've not had the slightest bit of bother from either of them. Oh, and I often use them as intended :thumb:

 

[Monkeynutz]

Hi, I can't tell give you advice on prices but can tell you that I noticed a difference when I had my PDK clutch oil changed a couple of years ago and it did take some time for the system to get used to my driving again as the software was reset.

Your issue sounds more like a problem with the Hill/Drive-off Assist? I am no expert but the behaviour of your car does sound a bit odd. I think this feature was introduced on the 997.2. Only when the car has been stood a while do I get anything that resembles the problems you describe and then it's just the brakes sticking a little and once moved all is well again.

I have a slight incline off my drive on to the road and the assist system will hold my car without the need for me to use the footbrake until I am ready to move. Certainly I have never experienced the lurching behaviour you describe and particularly not when parking or crawling along on traffic in normal mode. Sport Plus or Sport modes can be a bit jerky at times when in 1st or when moving off from a standing start.

Good luck getting it sorted. PDK clutch oil is a 6 yr service item and even OPCs forget to do it sometimes!

Edit: My OPC did mine FOC as it wasn't done when it should have been. If I recall I think the price would have been around £300

 

[T8]

......... It is disappointing to read that a circa 60k mile Porsche that looks almost as good as new can have any such issues, more so perhaps in that I thought PDK might be a better option for an old dude like me than the manual boxes I ever preferred .......

I doubt that many of those 60k miles have been done in reverse and even less will have been done up an incline.

I'm not under-playing the frustration that Andy' must be experiencing but there is no comparison between this issue and those that have afflicted earlier water-cooled models. :nooo:

From other posts it seems like it's something that can be improved/rectified. Even if it's not I suspect that when he's got more than one weeks ownership under his belt Andy' won't care too much. :wink:

 

[Andy 997]

Difficulty reversing

Was out for a couple of runs over the past week, one over to Applecross for lunch, and today a blast around lochness. I was giggling out loud on todays run as we went round some of the corners at speed. Honestly, I have driven these roads in anMX5 mk1, a classic mini, and a Z4. But nothing has given me such a thrill as my 911. It's amazing once you get the slow in and fast out method correct. I'm in love with my car!

 

[Monkeynutz]

Re: Difficulty reversing

Was out for a couple of runs over the past week, one over to Applecross for lunch, and today a blast around lochness. I was giggling out loud on todays run as we went round some of the corners at speed. Honestly, I have driven these roads in anMX5 mk1, a classic mini, and a Z4. But nothing has given me such a thrill as my 911. It's amazing once you get the slow in and fast out method correct. I'm in love with my car!

That road to Applecross is an event! I did it last year with a group from the local Tipec group, great fun and superb roads. I was buzzing for days after the 911 sure does come alive up there!

 

[kas750]

I think its quite a common theme on these types of box.
The torque convertor boxes have come on a long way in recent years.
I have an F30 BMW with the 8 speed ZF and it's incredibly smooth and responsive.

 

[Luddite]

Nice pic Andy and great to read how much joy your car is bringing... Picked up this vid on PDK service which may be of interest..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgDf7BQMPnM