Q: Shifter independently shifts to 1st and car jerks forward

asked by on September 07, 2016

While driving in town and having been in stop-and-go traffic for a while, my car’s transmission begins to have trouble. The shifter will independently shift down into 1st gear after I have come to a complete stop and the car jerks forward. Because of this problem, there have been times when I almost rear-ended other vehicles. The Audi S-tronic transmission has a well-known problem where the oil in the mechatronics unit heats up and causes problems with the circuitry. My car has already received a software update which cost many hundreds of dollars and it did not fix the problem. Now, if the transmission has been damaged it will mean multiple thousands of dollars! Can you give me any advice as to how to fix my car without having to borrow money to get it in good running condition?

Car jerks forward at high speeds Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2010 Audi S5. There are a number of Audi service bulletins on this issue. If your local dealer has not been a satisfying experience, you might contact another Audi dealer, or Audi Customer Service for a more satisfactory solution. You can also have a certified technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office and inspect your car jerking problem](https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-jerks-forward-at-high-speeds-inspection).

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I use the seat heaters?
If your car is equipped with seat heaters (optional equipment), they provide an additional solution of comfort during cold weather, as well as for easing an aching back. Using them is actually very simple. Here’s what you need to know:...
Can smell gas fumes while driving
Hello! Low refrigerant levels is the leading cause for your air conditioning concern. Low refrigerant levels will cause the air to fluctuate between warm and cold. Usually, low refrigerant levels are caused by leaking O-rings in the AC system. The...
Leaking gas tank and power steering hose
It sounds like you have a couple of serious issues going on. A fuel leak can be dangerous so that must be repaired first. Many times this car can develop a leak at the fuel pump connection and look like...
Bad gas mileage
Hello there. A decrease in fuel milage can be attributed to a few different faults. The most common causes are leaking fuel injectors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement), oxygen sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement), coolant temperature sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-temperature-switch-sensor-replacement), vacuum leaks or exhaust leaks. A qualified technician, such...
Misfire rough idle
Changing the radiator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/radiator-replacement) should not have caused a misfire (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-misfiring-inspection). Replacing the plugs and the MAP sensor was a great idea. What we commonly refer to as the O2 sensor is not located in the fuse box. There are...
I've been noticing that my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic rumbles when going over bumps. I have about 60k miles on it, could it be the sway bar?
Hi there. If the sway bar was at fault, the noise would also be present when turning and a possibility of excessive body roll when turning. The source of noise over bumps can be difficult to diagnose since the bumps...
What should i check before replacing the ABS module
Hello There, It sounds like you may have some faulty wheel speed sensors that may be causing the ABS light to come on. Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors at each of the four wheels which monitor wheel...
What would cause my transmission to not shift
One cause to rule out is low fluid level or a plugged transmission fluid filter. Delayed shifts can also be caused by internal hydraulic leaks in the valve body or failing internal transmission seals found on clutch pack pistons and...
Engine makes really loud noise like a motorcycle 1998 Lincoln Navigator
Hi there - your symptom description suggests that an engine backfire in the exhaust has caused the muffler or catalytic converter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-catalytic-converter) to rupture. This would explain the noisier running and some of the smell you are experiencing. Check first...

Related articles

Understanding Main Gears Vs. Planetary Gears
Aspiring Aspiring mechanics spend hours learning about how main gears and planetary gears work in a car transmission, so a full dissertation simply isn’t possible within this relatively brief article. If you’re curious about how they work, though, this brief...
How Long Does a Transmission Position Sensor (Switch) Last?
All All automatic transmission vehicles have a safety switch in place that only allows them to start if they are in park or neutral gars. The transmission position sensor, also called the transmission position switch, ensures the vehicle is in...
The Meanings of Automatic Gear Shift Letters & Numbers
A break down “PRNDL” and all its varieties, including D1, D2, and D3 modes.