VW Golf Shift indicator

slinxy · 5 Jul 2015 at 14:06

Hi, I'm picking up a new to me golf tomorrow...
is there a way of switching off the gears indicator? It's bloody irritating with it telling me when to switch gears.. lol

I'd managed to do it on a honda civic, but googling is not bring up any info on the vw's...

Finglonga · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:29

What Mk is it? There should be something you can do with the VCDS to disable it.

SlyReaper · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:37

I have a similar question with the Audi S3. Bloody thing thinks I should be in 6th when I'm going 40mph. I've had a good rummage around in the menus, but can't find anything that lets me turn that off.

Vertigo · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:41

Not possible on the A3/S3. Doubt the Golf allows it either since it's the same platform.

It's an economy thing, hence why it's always showing you what gear to be in for maximum economy. No reason at all you shouldn't be in 6th at 40mph if just cruising. If you want to ignore it and burn fuel then feel free

SlyReaper · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:42

Vertigo1 said:
Not possible on the A3/S3.

Well, that's irritating.

Finglonga · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:43

Have a look through these results, all the VAG cars can have things tweaked with VCDS.

sovietspybob · 5 Jul 2015 at 17:46

I've got the same thing on my Toyota Avensis, no way i can find to disable it myself.

Vertigo · 5 Jul 2015 at 18:02

Not sure whether it's do-able via VCDS, I'm only on about standard menu options.

Jono8 · 5 Jul 2015 at 19:00

You could just ignore it? ( assuming it is not an audible one)

My Fiesta ST has one as well but I never pay any attention to it.

Duke · 5 Jul 2015 at 19:24

I'd be surprised if you couldn't do it via VCDS.

[TW]Fox · 5 Jul 2015 at 19:35

SlyReaper said:
I have a similar question with the Audi S3. Bloody thing thinks I should be in 6th when I'm going 40mph.

You probably should

Vertigo · 5 Jul 2015 at 21:03

[TW]Fox;28273436 said:
You probably should

Easily. Unless you've just shifted down in preparation to cane it for an overtake or some such, you're just needlessly burning fuel by being in a lower gear than it suggests.

Kenai · 5 Jul 2015 at 21:16

I've always found the engine sounds like it's labouring and really struggling when shifting at the indicators

SlyReaper · 5 Jul 2015 at 21:20

Seriously? Engine revs feel far too low in the suggested gear. Doesn't that labour the engine and burn as much fuel as over-revving it?

Glanza · 5 Jul 2015 at 21:43

Everytime I change up when mine tells me to it feels laboured,

Then again it wants me to change gear at 1.5k revs no matter what the gear.

Haven't found a way to turn it off either, this is on a Insignia 2.0 cdti.

iaind · 5 Jul 2015 at 21:48

Why not just ignore it?

Vertigo · 5 Jul 2015 at 22:13

SlyReaper said:
Seriously? Engine revs feel far too low in the suggested gear. Doesn't that labour the engine and burn as much fuel as over-revving it?

No or it wouldn't recommend it.

It does tend to advocate as high a gear as is possible to save fuel but with a turbo engine there should be plenty of low-down torque available. My 1.4T is perfectly driveable at about 1200-1300rpm.

Kyle009 · 5 Jul 2015 at 22:14

I'm sure you can turn the gear indicator off in the infotainment menu on my MK7 GTD. Have a look in there.

[TW]Fox · 5 Jul 2015 at 22:21

SlyReaper said:
Seriously? Engine revs feel far too low in the suggested gear. Doesn't that labour the engine and burn as much fuel as over-revving it?

It'll be absolutely fine - the only time to ignore it is if you can see a hill or something approaching where you know you'll need a downshift if you upshift into 6th. It's suggesting 6th because thats the most efficient choice at that time.

AshD93 · 6 Jul 2015 at 05:57

It's only there for emissions testing so that a test driver can get the best possible MPG and emissions on the dyno. The engine map can even change depending on if you're getting those shift points to help optimise it all for the dyno.