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Advanced Technical Information

Panamera (971)
1704 3730

Rough Gear Change in First & Second Gears Due to Unadapted

Binder - Advanced Technical Information

PDK / Achieving Successful PDK Calibration, and Adaption
Attention: Service Managers/Service Technicians
Vehicle Type:

971 Panamera (all G2 variants)

Model Year:

2017 - 2018

Attention:

Service Managers/Service Technicians

Concern:

Abrupt, ‘Harsh’ Gear Shift Changes, particularly in first and second gears

Information: Rough gear changes with unmatched engine and transmission revs can be attributed to an unadapted
PDK.
Transmission performance issues characterized by unmatched, abrupt shifts, particularly in first and
second gears may require a driving adaption. Prior to the adaption drive, update PDK software and
perform a transmission calibration. Successful calibration of the PDK is a prerequisite for the adaption
drive. If the calibration presents itself as problematic, overfilling the transmission fluid is sometimes
helpful to achieve successful calibration. Do NOT back out of the PDK CU, if the calibration fails, go
back to the calibration screen and retry this up to five times. Upon successful calibration, prior to the
adaption drive, drain the excess fluid, ensuring an acceptable transmission fluid level.
Prior to commencing with adaptation drive, the transmission oil ‘Temperature’ must be > 60 °C, and
the Transmission Control unit must be free of faults. The adaption procedure shall be carried-out as
follows:
(1) Ignition on.

(2) Depress the accelerator pedal slowly, including kickdown, hold for 5 seconds and then gradually
release the accelerator pedal.

(3) Start the engine

(4) With the vehicle remaining stationary, carry-out the following shifts:

• N --> R, stay for 10 seconds, return to N (repeat 3x)

• N --> D, stay for 10 seconds, return to N (repeat 3x)

• D --> R, stay for 10 seconds, return to D (repeat 3x)

(5) Drive the vehicle in a normal driving style for a few minutes without kickdown and not exceeding
30% maximum throttle.

• Shift up through all gears from 1st up to the highest gear without using the brake pedal (or
only slightly if unfeasible) while holding the accelerator pedal at a constant throttle position.
Do not use the paddles.

• Shift down through all gears from the highest down to 1st gear without using the brake
pedal (or only slightly if unfeasible) while holding the accelerator pedal at a constant throttle
position. Do not use the paddles.

• Repeat step (5) three times.

• Ideally, the vehicle must drive in each gear, 4th through 8th, for several minutes held constantly in gear, provided this is possible.
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Panamera (971)
3730 1704

Advanced Technical Information

Information:
(cont’d)
(6) Stop the vehicle, shut-off the engine and lock the doors for 5 minutes.

(7) Unlock the vehicle, start the engine and test drive the vehicle. Verify the shift concern is resolved.

Ideally, it is only necessary to run this adaption routine once for approximately five miles. However, successful adaption of the PDK can require completing this routine several times with up to sixty miles of
driving.
If adaption is not successful as judged by continued occurrences of harsh shifts, then please submit a
TLAR through PTEC.

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