My automatic car is having issues when initiating uphill....

Hello, I'll be happy to help you out with this, and sorry you're having trouble with this. Do you have any warning lights on at all? Probably not, but we have to ask to be sure:) Also, how many miles do you have on the car? Also do you have the 7 or 8 speed automatic?

Hi Christian, thanks for getting back. There is no warning lights and the car has 76,000 miles. It is 8 speed automatic.It all works well but already months ago or perhaps even more than a year or even two I have noticed this. When starting uphill (either forward or reverse) the car does not seem to pick up the gear straight away and the motor revs without moving until suddenly slightly abruptly pick up the gear and moves. Otherwise it is all good.I have not raised this before as i thought it would clear through the services that i do in Audi (i.e. recently they changed the oil in the gearbox). However, this issues is still there and i think best is to look at this before becomes a bigger problem.Please let me know if i can provide more details.Many thanks, Rafa

Thanks Rafa, that's all great information. Since the fluid can be safely ruled out, there is a procedure on those called a clutch adaptation, or transmission reset adaptation procedure. I think that may solve our problem. Depending on the transmission ECU(there were several for each model and year) we can do it manually by trying the following steps. If these don't work, you'll need to unfortunately take it to the dealer or an independent shop with a professional level scanner that can reset that transmission ECU. With the key off: 1. Press the gas pedal to the floor. 2. Turn on the ignition but do not start the engine. If you have the push start, press the gas pedal but not the brake pedal, then press to the On position. 3. Keep the gas pedal pressed for at least 15 seconds. 4. Turn off the ignition. Release the gas pedal. Wait 5 minutes and restart the engine. 5. Drive carefully and allow it to change gears at low RPM for the first 10 minutes. After this drive normally but be sure to keep it low for the first 10 minutes, definitely less than half throttle for that time. Let me know if that helps!

Hi Christian, thanks for your reply and suggestions. I have tried this and although initially I thought this could be resolved it appears issue persists. I think something might have changed slightly but issue still is there.Yesterday, I followed the instructions and then went to do some testing to initiate on a hill. Basically, as i accelerate on a hill to start moving revs start going up and then they go down as the cars commence moving to the point that today the motor shut down and i needed to restart it. In other occasions it has going a bit smoothly than before the reset but maybe it is just my initial impression.I guess as you mention in your email i need to consult with a mechanic. Do you have any suggestions on whether i should ask to carry out a specific job (i,e, reset gearbox) or if best is to ask them to review the whole gearbox? and do you know how much this fix could cost? and, do you think this is better to deal with sooner rather than later(yesterday i did some memory and realized i have noticed this already 3 years ago but it does not really bother much as otherwise the car drives well? I usually do services in AudiMany thanks, Rafa

Hey Rafa, thanks for the information. Does this engagement happen under heavy acceleration on a flat surface, or strictly only on hills?

It is strictly on hills when initiating move (i.e. from 0 to commencing to move). I normally drive gently and i have not realised anything not working properly with the gearbox. Hope this clarifies

Ok, my next step would be to indeed take it and ask about a clutch adaptation reset. The scan tool will ensure this is done properly. You can also ask about a software update for the transmission but I'm not sure what version you have now, so this may or may not be an option. If none of that works, then it probably becomes a more serious issue, likely an internal transmission issue, so let's hope the software can be updated. The software update should be relatively cheap. My shop would charge $150 for this service. If they have to do a full transmission diagnostic then the diagnostic will probably be around $150-250 depending on how deep they have to go. One other thing I would try is to still get it scanned for codes. If it happens to the point where the car is stalling out, then it may be setting a pending code that won't light up a warning light but still will set a pending code that can be read. Make sure wherever reads the codes reads the transmission codes as well as engine. It's more likely one would show up there.

Many thanks for the information