Stupid question about PDK - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Ok chaps, I know you'll say I should know this but if you don't ask you don't learn. What is the purpose of the clock in the middle of the dash on PDK cars? And... I assume PDK is an automatic that you can shift gears manually if you chose. I know it's got two clutches so a kind of pre-engaged clutch, anything else I need to know? Tnx... Edited by RichB on Tuesday 22 April 19:17

The clock is part of the Sports Chrono Pack. See here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... PDK is a dual clutch auto for lightning fast changes. You can also use the paddles or the gear lever itself to change gears. HTH

Right, thanks... I'll also do some reading. Currently I can't imagine I'd find any use the clock if it's only a stopwatch. Guess I could swap it for something useful like a clock!

Two clutches, yes, so the current gear is engaged and transmitting power while the next gear is engaged but not transmitting power. When the shift is done the engaged clutch is disengaged while the disengaged clutch is engaged. The shifting speed is then mostly how fast one clutch can be disengaged and the other clutch engaged. How fast? Very fast is how fast. The clutches run in an oil bath so they run cooler which helps cut down on wear. Since the clutches are manipulated by hardware under computer control just the right amount of slippage is utilized which help minimize wear and tear. Since the clutch can no longer be "dumped" by a human stress on the rest of the drivetrain is also reduced. The shift linkage is manipulated by hardware (linkage) under computer control the hardware (linkage) can be lighter as it does not have to withstand the occasional ham-fisted human. A lighter linkage also helps shifting speed.

Thanks, I've not driven one with PDK so I guess that's the next step. Any thoughts/comments on this one? http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/used-cars/44518/por... I'd be swapping in my 2009 987 2.9 GenII

Nice looking car but 20" alloys and no PASM - I'd love to know what the ride is like. 18s on my 987 is just about acceptable. I'd also say the Lime Gold car which popped up would be worth a look. Sounds a horrid colour and doesn't always look that good in pictures but is actually really nice.

Dolf Stoppard said: Nice looking car but 20" alloys and no PASM - I'd love to know what the ride is like.... Surprisingly good on the one that I test drove, although PASM does make a difference PDK ... love or loathe I think, well loathe might be a bit strong but I really didn't like it. In full auto mode, it acted exactly like the DSG unit in my S4, dim witted and always putting you in the highest gear it reasonably could (7th @ 30mph!). Yes you have the paddles to manually override that or you can have it in full manual, but even then you still need to go up and down all the gears one by one, you can't block change like you can with a manual. I always seemed to be in the wrong gear and hated having to shift down several times to get the right gear. Sport Chrono also gives you "Sport Plus" mode which basically makes the car red line on virtually every shift, didn't really like that for the road either Just wasn't for me and I suggest you get a good test drive in one before buying to make up your own mind Do note when shopping around that you only get the paddles with the (optional) Sport Design steering wheel, otherwise you have rather nasty shift buttons on the wheel instead, like you have on that car you linked to

Moog72 said: Dolf Stoppard said: Nice looking car but 20" alloys and no PASM - I'd love to know what the ride is like.... Surprisingly good on the one that I test drove, although PASM does make a difference PDK ... love or loathe I think, well loathe might be a bit strong but I really didn't like it. In full auto mode, it acted exactly like the DSG unit in my S4, dim witted and always putting you in the highest gear it reasonably could (7th @ 30mph!). Yes you have the paddles to manually override that or you can have it in full manual, but even then you still need to go up and down all the gears one by one, you can't block change like you can with a manual. I always seemed to be in the wrong gear and hated having to shift down several times to get the right gear. Sport Chrono also gives you "Sport Plus" mode which basically makes the car red line on virtually every shift, didn't really like that for the road either Just wasn't for me and I suggest you get a good test drive in one before buying to make up your own mind Do note when shopping around that you only get the paddles with the (optional) Sport Design steering wheel, otherwise you have rather nasty shift buttons on the wheel instead I think you drove a PDK car with some kind of fault! It shouldnt change to 7th until over around 45mph! If you are driving slowly, it will take 6th at about 30mph to cruise. I have got used to the PDK and how to make it work with me (rather than trying to make me an eco warrior). As long as you are slightly abrupt with the throttle, it will adjust and stop trying to save fuel by changing up early. I have "taught" my PDK box to hold 3rd or 4th until I have eased off for a quite a while, for example. There is now denying that the inability to block shift is pretty annoying, but the "click click click" down from 6th to 3rd becomes pretty instinctive too after a while. Never as satisfying as a manual change, of course, but not so bad. (Also, sport mode in the auto makes the car a pleasure to drive, in my view - it is a pretty good balance between staying in the power band and not being overly aggressive for civilised road driving.)

I'm far from a n expert on these but doesn't the Sport Chrono have an effect on Turbo cars that enhances performance (from an acceleration point of view)? I.e. it helps spool up the turbos at standstill? N.B. this may only apply to Tip cars, but possibly PDK too, I'm not sure (see, told you I'm no expert!).

I think that's probably right (again, not an expert). I was talking to a chap who used to work at Ferrari and now is charge of a smaller sports car manufacturer about the ECU/PDK interface in modern Porsches. He said that there are several engine management systems that work in conjunction with the PDK software, so it wouldnt surprise me if it affected the management of the turbo.

ORD said: I think that's probably right (again, not an expert). I was talking to a chap who used to work at Ferrari and now is charge of a smaller sports car manufacturer about the ECU/PDK interface in modern Porsches. He said that there are several engine management systems that work in conjunction with the PDK software, so it wouldnt surprise me if it affected the management of the turbo. Guys... the Boxster & Cayman engines are naturally aspirated, they don't have a turbocharger!

from the Porsche UK website... SPORT button The SPORT button on the centre console is fitted as standard. When selected, ‘Sport’ mode is activated to provide a greater response and enhanced driving pleasure. The engine reacts even more directly to the accelerator pedal, the rev-limiter is adjusted to a harder setting and engine dynamics are tuned for performance driving. At the same time, the auto start/stop function is deactivated automatically. With optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), the shift points are reconfigured to offer higher and even sportier rpm bands. Shift times are reduced and gearshifts become firmer and more immediate, while throttle-blip downshifts are accompanied by an even more emotive engine sound. Coasting mode is deactivated automatically. Sport Chrono Package Better performance would normally be impossible to achieve without more intensive training. In the Cayman models, it comes at the push of a button. The optional Sport Chrono Package provides simultaneous enhancement for the chassis, engine and transmission – accompanied by an even more emotive sound. In addition to the performance display, a digital and an analogue stopwatch, the Sport Chrono Package also includes dynamic gearbox mounts. Another component is the SPORT PLUS button. When this is pressed, optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) switches to ‘Sport’ mode for harder damping and more direct steering and, therefore, even more intensive road holding. The trigger threshold for PSM is raised. Agility is perceptibly enhanced when braking for corners with PSM, allowing even sportier braking and exit acceleration. For even greater dexterity, PSM can be set to standby while the car is still in SPORT PLUS mode. For safety, it is set to intervene automatically only when ABS assistance is required. The throttle-blip function produces even sportier gearshifts. A managed burst of throttle ensures smooth load changes for increased stability and makes the gearshift process an even more engaging experience. In conjunction with optional PDK, the Sport Chrono Package comes with two additional functions for a sporty drive that borders on a motorsport experience. The first is ‘Launch Control’, which is designed to produce a racing start. The second function is the ‘motorsport- derived gearshift strategy’. In this mode, PDK is designed for very short shift times and optimum shift points, while torque boosts during gear changes provide the maximum acceleration available. This involving experience is further enhanced by overrun downshifts and the throttle-blip function for uncompromising driving pleasure. An additional display in the steering wheel and instrument cluster indicates whether the SPORT or SPORT PLUS buttons and, with PDK, Launch Control have been activated. In conjunction with optional Porsche Communication Management (PCM), a special display enables you to view, store and evaluate lap times or other driving times. It shows the total driving time, lap distance, lap number and lap times recorded so far.

PDK car; sport button is your friend. 20" wheels- not an issue on a 981 sans PASM (mine is on 19"'s but test drove a 20" shod car and it's fine).

Agreed, always drive in Sport, normal is very sluggish. Never use Sport Plus as it is too aggressive on the road, but I like the clock In hindsight, if the stock suspension didn't look so off road and they fitted a dash clock, I could of happily saved a few quid?

engineermk said: ORD said: I think that's probably right (again, not an expert). I was talking to a chap who used to work at Ferrari and now is charge of a smaller sports car manufacturer about the ECU/PDK interface in modern Porsches. He said that there are several engine management systems that work in conjunction with the PDK software, so it wouldnt surprise me if it affected the management of the turbo. Guys... the Boxster & Cayman engines are naturally aspirated, they don't have a turbocharger! Yep. I assume the goose was talking about the um well Turbo!

havnt a clue about my chrono clock not used it but it looks good pdk the way to go

freddy the frog said: havnt a clue about my chrono clock not used it but it looks good pdk the way to go That's what I thought, on both counts!

Sorry for adding another stupid Q to this thread ! When driving PDK in manual mode, is it truly "manual" ? Say for instance, you are in 4th gear and come to a long uphill section of road.....Could you put your foot down to the floor and let the engine pull you up the hill from low RPM, without the gearbox kicking down ? Thanks

Stuart0688 said: Sorry for adding another stupid Q to this thread ! When driving PDK in manual mode, is it truly "manual" ? Say for instance, you are in 4th gear and come to a long uphill section of road.....Could you put your foot down to the floor and let the engine pull you up the hill from low RPM, without the gearbox kicking down ? Thanks Only the PDKS on the GT3 will allow that.

Stuart0688 said: Sorry for adding another stupid Q to this thread ! When driving PDK in manual mode, is it truly "manual" ? Say for instance, you are in 4th gear and come to a long uphill section of road.....Could you put your foot down to the floor and let the engine pull you up the hill from low RPM, without the gearbox kicking down ? Thanks Yes. Unless you push the kick-down switch at the end of the pedal travel. [This is on gen 2 PDK, ie 981/991. Don't know about gen 1.] S

RichB said: What is the purpose of the clock in the middle of the dash on PDK cars? To be clear, the Sports Chrono Clock is really NOT linked to the PDK gearbox i.e. you can have a manual car WITH the Sport Chrono clock and you can have a PDK car WITHOUT the Sports Chrono clock...

sidicks said: RichB said: What is the purpose of the clock in the middle of the dash on PDK cars? To be clear, the Sports Chrono Clock is really NOT linked to the PDK gearbox i.e. you can have a manual car WITH the Sport Chrono clock and you can have a PDK car WITHOUT the Sports Chrono clock... Thanks for that, I hadn't realised. Assumed the two were connected on the options list in some way.

He right, I have PDK, I don't have sports-chrono.

RichB said: hanks for that, I hadn't realised. Assumed the two were connected on the options list in some way. Still a fair question though. Presumably, you can operate the stopwatch / clock thing from the steering wheel to record your lap time? A useful feature if you are trying different racing lines, breaking points or whatever you racing types like to do. Maybe not a lot of use in normal use

BGHughes said: RichB said: hanks for that, I hadn't realised. Assumed the two were connected on the options list in some way. Still a fair question though. Presumably, you can operate the stopwatch / clock thing from the steering wheel to record your lap time? A useful feature if you are trying different racing lines, breaking points or whatever you racing types like to do. Maybe not a lot of use in normal use Yep. I use it sometimes on the road just to make myself giggle like a schoolgirl at how stupid it looks. It is also helpful for showing my wife that the drive to my parent's house takes 10 mins less when I drive.