Audi Q3: Grinding noise in gear D5

storme'd · 9th April 2021, 14:54

Hi guys

I have just purchased a pre owned Audi Q3 Premium Plus 177 bhp Stronic shift. The car is performing well and have found only 1 issue which is bothering me a bit.

There is a grinding sound which comes for about a second while the car is in D5. This is not a regular sound and comes intermittently sometimes. The car has not had any underbody hits at all. Also, the gear changes are perfect and not delayed at all. This is the S tronic shift system.

I checked on some global site for Audi owners and someone there posted that the car may need a software update to solve the issue between the engine and the gearbox.

Can someone who has experienced this please shed some light on this issue and the solution for the same please?

Thank you.

sameerpatel90 · 9th April 2021, 18:02

It's very difficult for someone to diagnose just by a verbal description of a sound.

Firstly, to better understand about your big beauty, we need to know about the age and ODO readings of your vehicle.

Here are few points to self analyze regarding your concern,
1. Have you compared it with another vehicle of the same manufacturing model?.
2. Check the vehicle history whether all the necessary PMS was performed either by previous owner, dealer and after the transfer of ownership with you. As change of transmission and differential oils according to time interval or kms, as these drivetrain system are always on toes it is crucial to get the vehicle inspected at the A.S.S/FNG (who specifically deals with premium cars) to keep things in safe hands rather than spanner-monkeys.
3. Are there any feedback on pedal or on any other components.
4. How often does the vehicle behave in D5 (as you have mentioned) to mention a few scenarios, from what range of rpm & speed, vehicle load condition, and terrain.
5. As you have mentioned about a software update may be point to look upon but it is equally important to inspect the oil levels, quality (looking for any debris or viscosity), transmission components such as gear synchronizer or some gear for any sort of chipping and cracking.

Hoping for some minor repair with not much of a fuss. We are awaiting an update on the same at the earliest.

TrackDay · 9th April 2021, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by storme'd

the car may need a software update to solve the issue between the engine and the gearbox.

I don't own a Q3 but just thought to share this here. Maybe you might have come across this too. It is for a 2014 Q3 2.0 tdi with the s tronic box.

Quote:

The ECU for the gearbox and the ECU for the engine have to match up with each other for when the car needs to change gear to match rev etc. The noise was the gearbox trying to open the valve to allow it to change gear but the engine wasn't ready to do this. Apparently the gearbox learns this over x number of miles and adapts to the driving style. When the oil is changed is slightly alters the point at which the gear change occurs and until the two ECUs learn to work correctly together you can experience the electronic noise of valves trying to open. The software update apparently fixes this but is not always needed hence why it wasn't done.

Source: https://www.q3ownersclub.co.uk/threa...-related.3931/

storme'd · 11th April 2021, 00:03

Thanks a lot Sameer and trackday. To answer sameers points

The car is a 2014 Feb model and done 60k kms.

1. No i haven't compared it as don't know anyone who owns it in my circle
2. As per the history available with me all oils were changed in Dec 2019 post which the car just ran about 5000 kms owing to covid. The gear oil was also changed
3. No feedback on Anu pedal at all. Just the sound and rest works as it should
4. Typically happens in about 10% of the times during the drive. Regular load and normal city driving. The normal speed i have observed this happening in is roughly 70 kms
5. I unfortunately met with a small accident and have sent the car for minor repairs Motr1 which is a garage specialising in luxury cars in Faridabad. Hoping to get the servicing done in the coming week from them and with update this thread once done.

Hi Trackday yes that's the stuff i read and will try and get this checked from Audi is the sound persists post the service is done next week.

9th April 2021, 14:54	#1
storme'd BHPian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ashford, UK Posts: 189 Thanked: 63 Times	Audi Q3: Grinding noise in gear D5 Hi guys I have just purchased a pre owned Audi Q3 Premium Plus 177 bhp Stronic shift. The car is performing well and have found only 1 issue which is bothering me a bit. There is a grinding sound which comes for about a second while the car is in D5. This is not a regular sound and comes intermittently sometimes. The car has not had any underbody hits at all. Also, the gear changes are perfect and not delayed at all. This is the S tronic shift system. I checked on some global site for Audi owners and someone there posted that the car may need a software update to solve the issue between the engine and the gearbox. Can someone who has experienced this please shed some light on this issue and the solution for the same please? Thank you. Last edited by storme'd : 9th April 2021 at 14:55. Reason: Spelling mistake
	(1) Thanks

9th April 2021, 18:02	#2
sameerpatel90 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Vijayawada Posts: 71 Thanked: 272 Times	re: Audi Q3: Grinding noise in gear D5 It's very difficult for someone to diagnose just by a verbal description of a sound. Firstly, to better understand about your big beauty, we need to know about the age and ODO readings of your vehicle. Here are few points to self analyze regarding your concern, 1. Have you compared it with another vehicle of the same manufacturing model?. 2. Check the vehicle history whether all the necessary PMS was performed either by previous owner, dealer and after the transfer of ownership with you. As change of transmission and differential oils according to time interval or kms, as these drivetrain system are always on toes it is crucial to get the vehicle inspected at the A.S.S/FNG (who specifically deals with premium cars) to keep things in safe hands rather than spanner-monkeys. 3. Are there any feedback on pedal or on any other components. 4. How often does the vehicle behave in D5 (as you have mentioned) to mention a few scenarios, from what range of rpm & speed, vehicle load condition, and terrain. 5. As you have mentioned about a software update may be point to look upon but it is equally important to inspect the oil levels, quality (looking for any debris or viscosity), transmission components such as gear synchronizer or some gear for any sort of chipping and cracking. Hoping for some minor repair with not much of a fuss. We are awaiting an update on the same at the earliest.
	(3) Thanks

11th April 2021, 00:03	#4
storme'd BHPian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ashford, UK Posts: 189 Thanked: 63 Times	re: Audi Q3: Grinding noise in gear D5 Thanks a lot Sameer and trackday. To answer sameers points The car is a 2014 Feb model and done 60k kms. 1. No i haven't compared it as don't know anyone who owns it in my circle 2. As per the history available with me all oils were changed in Dec 2019 post which the car just ran about 5000 kms owing to covid. The gear oil was also changed 3. No feedback on Anu pedal at all. Just the sound and rest works as it should 4. Typically happens in about 10% of the times during the drive. Regular load and normal city driving. The normal speed i have observed this happening in is roughly 70 kms 5. I unfortunately met with a small accident and have sent the car for minor repairs Motr1 which is a garage specialising in luxury cars in Faridabad. Hoping to get the servicing done in the coming week from them and with update this thread once done. Hi Trackday yes that's the stuff i read and will try and get this checked from Audi is the sound persists post the service is done next week.
	(1) Thanks