APR TCU UPGRADE - TDI DQ250 DSG and S Tronic - For Mk5/Mk6 Tdi Vehicles

Please note that vehicle must be present at one of our shops to perform this upgrade.

APR is pleased to present the ultimate transmission control unit (TCU) upgrade for the DQ250 DSG and S Tronic transmission found on TDI engine vehicles! The APR TCU Upgrade remaps the factory DSG / S Tronic transmission, adding several features and enhancements while simultaneously providing a smoother and more enjoyable driving experience. 

• Optimized Shift Maps
  Drive mode is optimized for fuel economy while Sport mode is optimized for faster acceleration with APR’s ECU Software.
• Smoother Daily Driving
  Optimized part throttle / daily driving shift maps provide a smoother and more enjoyable daily driving experience.
• User Definable Launch Control
  Launch control is enabled on all models with a traction control button, and the launch control RPM is user definable at the time of install. Launch control response is also optimized for faster engagement.
•  User Definable Manual Mode
  The automatic manual mode upshift and kick-down switch downshift can be enabled or disabled at the time of install. 
• Optimized Manual Mode Response Times
  Downshifts occur more quickly and the time between hitting the paddle and a shift occurring has been reduced.
• Torque Limits Raised
  Non-physical transmission torque limits are raised to allow for higher output while retaining critical protection limits.
• Downshift Lockout Optimized
  Manual downshifts are permissible in all gears so long as the next gear is below redline.
• Temperature Management Optimized
  Allows for limited torque during over-temp conditions vs total immovability.
• Gear Display Indicator Active
  Shows the current gear in the factory multi functional display in both drive and sport mode.
• DirectPort Programming
  The TCU Upgrade installs in minutes without opening the TCU and can be uninstalled at any time. 

Drive Mode Characteristics:

Drive mode’s performance and comfort is greatly improved based upon the current stage of engine performance. Gear change upshift and downshift points occur based on engine load and throttle position, rather than hard set points, and as such occur more smoothly and less abruptly. The driver may feel more connected to the vehicle as the gear changes occur more naturally. Under part throttle driving, the transmission will stay in the current gear until the appropriate moment necessary to shift, rather than jumping to higher gears too quickly. This is especially true for calibrations geared towards larger turbocharger systems where response characteristics of the turbocharger changes the part throttle driving experience. Under wide-open throttle acceleration, shifting times are reduced and the maximum shift point RPM is set to the ECU’s rev limiter.

Sport Mode Characteristics

Sport mode’s performance and comfort is also greatly improved based upon the current stage of engine performance. Expect extremely fast gear changes as the wide-open throttle shift times are reduced. APR’s taken a two-stage approach to wide-open throttle operation as well. Shift points are optimized to deliver the fastest acceleration possible under wide-open throttle by following the torque curve of each available stage. However, with the pedal pressed far enough to hold the kickdown switch, shifts points override the torque curve and now occur at the maximum engine RPM!

Part-throttle drivability is greatly improved too. Some factory DQ250 transmission software is too aggressively geared towards holding high RPMs, and often uncomfortably downshifts when unwanted. Under low accelerator pedal position, low load driving, gearshifts occur earlier, allowing the driver to enjoy sport mode even during those moments when wide-open throttle operation is not permissible. However, should the driver request more torque with his or her right foot, the transmission comes alive in the true spirit of sport mode!

Manual Mode Characteristics

At the time of installation, the user is able to select several options that change the behavior of manual mode. The user has the ability to enable or disable either the manual mode automatic kickdown switch for automatic downshifts as well as the automatic upshift that occurs at redline. For safety and acceleration, APR’s engineers kept the automatic upshift present in first gear.

The ECU defines the maximum engine RPM possible. Using APR’s user definable max RPM settings, the end user can match the ECU’s RPM to the TCU RPM to avoid hitting the engine rev limiter should the automatic redline upshift option remain active. In the case where an APR ECU Upgrade's redline is lower than expected, APR can issue a free ECU update to correct the max engine RPM.

During manual mode shifting times are not only greatly improved, but the artificial delays between requesting a shift with the paddles and shifter are reduced as well. As soon as a shift request is made, the transmission instantly begins the shifting routine. Furthermore, the downshift lockout is removed, allowing the operator to downshift at any point, so long as the next gear does not surpass the max engine RPM.

With manual mode tailored to the end users need, they are presented with a more enjoyable driving experience that operates exactly how they choose. We call it Performance Without Compromise!

Launch Control:

APR’s TCU upgrade enables launch control on all vehicles. At the time of installation, the user is able to select their desired launch RPM, as they see fit! Launch control activates quickly, with a wider operating window, by limiting some of the stubborn activation criteria some models face during activation. The end user will notice launches now occur more rapidly with less delay between releasing the brake and forward momentum. The clutches fully grab quickly off the line and shift times are reduced. This directly translates into faster acceleration!

APR will adjust any mismatch between Engine Control Unit (ECU) and TCU standing rev limters, should any conflicts arise.

*Please Note, the vehicle must be equipped with a traction control button to enable launch control.*

 Gear Display Indicator

APR’s TCU upgrade enables the gear display indicator for Drive and Sport mode in the vehicle's multi function display.

Torque Limits

All too often TCU upgrades are sold as a solution to “torque limiters” in which many companies charge extra to raise. While some companies may have trouble with torque interventions from the transmission, even at stage I power and torque levels, APR ECU upgrades do not require a TCU upgrade to meet advertised peak torque levels. APR does not charge extra to “raise the limits.” Raising the limits does not increase performance and does not increase the transmission’s ability to hold more torque. The maximum torque limiters are simply removed, allowing customers unrestricted operation. In the event torque is limited by the factory clutches, upgraded units may be installed and torque may be increased without TCU intervention.

DSG Temperature Management

Temperature management is an important part of the DQ250 transmission. While some software may simply remove temperature protection routines all together and claim increased cooling performance, APR’s TCU upgrade only allows the maximum safe temperature levels before intervention. Unlike the factory intervention routine, which simply allows for nearly no torque to be transmitted through the transmission at all, APR’s over temp intervention allows for a very limited amount of torque, enough so the vehicle can be safely driven off the track or pulled to the side of the road. In keeping the vehicle moving, airflow continues across the radiator, which in turn keeps coolant temps low and aids in removing heat from the factory DQ250 water to oil cooler to restore full operation.