Editing Direct-shift gearbox (section)

==== D mode====
Whilst the motor vehicle is stationary and in neutral ('''N'''), the [[driving|driver]] can select '''D''' for drive (after first pressing the foot [[brake]] [[automobile pedal|pedal]]). The transmission's outer clutch K2 engages at the ''start'' of the bite point, while on the alternate gear shaft the reverse gear clutch K1 is also selected.<ref name=VMS/><ref name=AboutCars/> The clutch pack for second gear (K2) gets ready to engage. When the driver releases the brake pedal, the K2 clutch clamping force is increased, allowing the transmission to drive the wheels. Depressing the [[throttle|accelerator]] pedal engages the clutch and causes an increase of forward vehicle speed. Pressing the throttle pedal to the floor (hard acceleration) will cause the gearbox to "kick down" to first gear to provide the acceleration associated with first, although there will be a slight hesitation while the gearbox deselects second gear and selects first gear. As the vehicle accelerates, the transmission's computer determines when the second gear (which is connected to the second clutch) should be fully used. Depending on the vehicle speed and amount of engine power being requested by the driver (determined by the position of the throttle pedal), the DSG then up-shifts. During this sequence, the DSG disengages the first outer clutch whilst simultaneously engaging the second inner clutch<ref name=VMS/><ref name=AboutCars/> (all power from the engine is now going through the second shaft), thus completing the shift sequence. This sequence in a fraction of a second (aided by pre-selection), and can be performed without lifting off the throttle, resulting in minimal power loss.<ref name=VMS/>

Once the vehicle has completed the shift to second gear, the first gear is immediately de-selected, and third gear is pre-selected.<ref name=VMS/><ref name=AboutCars/> Once the time comes to shift into 3rd, the second clutch disengages and the first clutch re-engages.<ref name=VMS/> This sequence repeats through the gear changes.

Downshifting is similar to up-shifting but in reverse order. At 600&nbsp;milliseconds downshifting is necessarily slower, due to the engine's [[Electronic Control Unit]] (ECU) needing to 'blip' the throttle so that the engine [[crankshaft]] speed can match the appropriate gear shaft speed.<ref name=VMS/> A downshift occurs when the ECU senses the car slowing down, or when more power is required.

The actual shift points are determined by the DSG's transmission ECU, which controls a hydro-mechanical unit.<ref name=VMS/> The transmission ECU, combined with the hydro-mechanical unit, are collectively called a ''[[mechatronics]]''<ref name=VMS/> unit or module. Because the DSG's ECU uses [[fuzzy logic]], the operation of the DSG is said to be ''adaptive'';{{dubious|date=July 2013}} that is, the DSG will "learn" how the user drives the car, and will progressively tailor the shift points accordingly to suit the habits of the driver.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

In the vehicle instrument display, between the [[speedometer]] and [[tachometer]], the available shift-lever positions are shown, the current position of the shift-lever is highlighted (emboldened), and the current gear ratio in use is also displayed as a number.

Under "normal", progressive and linear [[acceleration]] and deceleration, the DSG shifts in a [[sequential gearbox|sequential]] manner; i.e., under acceleration: 1st → 2nd → 3rd → 4th → 5th → 6th, and the same sequence reversed for deceleration. However, the DSG can also skip the normal sequential method, by missing gears, and shift two or more gears.<ref name=AboutCars/> This is most apparent if the car is being driven at sedate speeds in one of the higher gears with a light throttle opening, and the accelerator pedal is then pressed down, engaging the ''[[kick-down]]'' function. During kick-down, the DSG will skip gears,<ref name=DCTfactsGolfPlus/> shifting directly to the most appropriate gear depending on speed and throttle opening. This kick-down may be engaged by any increased accelerator pedal opening, and is completely independent of the additional resistance to be found when the pedal is pressed fully to the floor, which will activate a similar kick-down function when in Manual operation mode. The seven-speed unit in the 2007 Audi variants will not automatically shift to 6th gear; rather, it stays at 5th to keep power available at a high RPM while cruising.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

When the floor-mounted gear selector lever is in position '''D''', the DSG works in fully automatic mode,<ref name=AboutCars/><ref name=DCTfactsHow/> with emphasis placed on gear shifts programmed to deliver maximum [[fuel economy in automobiles|fuel economy]].<ref name=AboutCars/><ref name=DCTfactsGolfPlus/> That means that shifts will change up and down very early in the rev-range. As an example, on the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk5#Mk5 GTI|Volkswagen Golf Mk5 GTI]], sixth gear will be engaged around {{convert|52|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, when initially using the DSG transmission with the default ECU adaptation; although with an "aggressive" or "sporty" driving style, the adaptive shift pattern will increase the vehicle speed at which sixth gear engages.