BlueCat_A6_allroad

Twice now my S6 transmission has become stuck in one gear following an extended period of stop-n-go traffic. In one case it stuck in a low gear, probably 2nd, and yesterday I believe it was 3rd gear. The dash display changes from the normal display (top photo below) to show all gears highlighted (bottom photo) with no indicator of what gear is active. In both cases I attempted to shift manually using the paddle shifters but got no response. I also tried shifting from S to D with no change so I pulled to the side of the road. Once stopped, I shifted into Park but the display didn't change. I shifted back into gear (tried both D and S) and accelerated but the transmission wouldn't shift. Finally, I turned off the engine, waited a minute, restarted, and the car drove fine afterward.

This strange transmission behavior is in addition to the annoying jerking action that has been discussed here many times. That also happens several times per day in stop-n-go traffic.

Has anybody seen this "sticking in one gear" problem before?

2008A6

It may have happened once to mine but i can't recall if it was because the car was still cold,..it eventually shifted out. Hasnt happened again and i never got the lit up display. Do you think it captured a VAG error code if you plug it in?

BlueCat_A6_allroad

I'll be going to the dealer for 45,000 mile service soon and this is on my list along with the shudder problem. I hope to make enough noise to get the transmission software upgrade and fluid change that I've read about in other threads. The S6 is an excellent car and worth a bit of effort to get it right.

2008A6

Let us know what you find out.. my dealer said they couldn't find any application for the blue fluid in the S6 in any of Audi's bulletins.

DirtyVegasTT

Sounds similar to what I had. It is a good thing you have that picture. Have them check this out over and over until it is resolved. They changed the software and put me on blue fluid for a remedy to my problems.

Are you CPO, do you have extended warranty or are you done at 50K? If the latter, then I suggest you do not waste any time with this and have them look at it now.

BlueCat_A6_allroad

I am CPO but I'll be as aggressive as I can to get this "sticking in gear" resolved soon. It was very uncomfortable to break out of the rush hour slowdown and find myself in 70MPH traffic while stuck in 2nd gear. The five lane changes to get to the right shoulder were harrowing as traffic whizzed by.

2008A6

Another tranny question..do you feel a slight lag when you manually downshift before the lower gear grabs the car and the rev matching kicks in? Feels almost as if it goes to neutral for a split second before lower gear engages.
Didn't feel it on my A6 but the S6 could be a different beast.