02 Jetta 1.8T Triptronic Question

NO! And the turbo is always providing boost but at varied levels.

Dunno about that, but the Tiptronic is supposed to "learn" how you drive and adjust its shift points accordingly.

There's a procedure for restoring it to the factory default so it can start learning again; if you search Google diligently, you'll probably find it somewhere.

You can think about chipping the car. APR's chip will bring you up to 207 Hp and 249 Ft. Lbs., the extra power should let you easily glide up hill in 5th from 40 MPH. The chips for Tip cars often come with new programming as well for the tranny. The one downside is chipping will result in a loss of warranty coverage. So this may be a better idea for when you're closer to the 5 yr./60,000 mile warranty limit on your car.

thats why we got, the V6 engine,because when we test rove a 1.8 T it did just that

that was a passat wagon we test drove,.w/ the 1.8T and got the V-6 instead

Why don't you just flip your shifter into manual shift mode and take charge of the shifting yourself? I barely ever drive mine in auto. You'll find it's way better and more fun when you take control of the shifting yourself.

Yes they can or should be able to. I work for Mercedes benz as a tech. we re-adapt tranmsission all the time or at least reset the adaptation. All tiptronic transmission system are licensed from Mercedes Benz so Volkswagens should have similar software otherwise its not worth having. Any Transmission software that can learn can be reset.

Licensed from Mercedes? Tiptronic is a Porsche innovation !

So there is nothing that can be done? Is it that I am driving it too "soft"? I baby it and shouldn't?

This has been done "supposedly" twice. I noticed no difference at all and it still waits too long to shift from 3rd to 4th and finally does in a rough manner. It is like it begrudgingly gives up the gear. It actually jerks my head when it happens. VW says all is well when they look at it because there are no error codes. I have been putting up with this for two years!

I actually have an extended warranty on this car because of the turbo so I can't risk changing it. Thank you for the info though. :-)

Believe me, several times I wished I had gotten a V6 or the 1.8T with a stick. I think I would like the car better.

I have actually started doing this more, especially when turning corners. It downshifts one too many gears in a turn and has no power coming out.

Don't feel bad, they all shift that way. Personally I own a 99 V6 Passat and think the shift program could be better. Now, who's to blame, VW, Federal government. I put most of the blame on the fed's in that the cars must meet emission & MPG standards and then theirs VW fighting between performance and economy. It's a never ending battle...