2 items where I'm not sure if my car is acting strangely

[ucla95]

or maybe this is normal?
A red light on my DCT shifter flashes for about 20 seconds after I lock the car. And I've triple checked that the 'P' is coming up when I'm turning the car off.

The second thing I found the answer already.

Thanks in advance!!

[ucla95]

Could it be that it does this because I turn off the car in Reverse? (I back into a parking spot.) The display then shows 'P' of course, but perhaps it flashes because the gear lever is still in that upper-left position?

[runningthingz]

I always leave my car in drive and set the ebrake then turn it off. Haven't had any of the issues you're describing.

[dr.skp.ortho]

Originally Posted by ucla95

Could it be that it does this because I turn off the car in Reverse? (I back into a parking spot.) The display then shows 'P' of course, but perhaps it flashes because the gear lever is still in that upper-left position?

That is correct. Leave it in "D" and turn off and you won't have the flashing light.

[ucla95]

Originally Posted by dr.skp.ortho

That is correct. Leave it in "D" and turn off and you won't have the flashing light.

However the owners manual says it's ok to turn off in D or R. I'll check to see if it does this next time I stop the car in D instead of R. Regardless I don't get any error codes or anything - it's just disconcerting to see that flashing for 20 seconds and have no idea what it means (and nothing in the manual and I've really looked closely).

[Ak3249]

I've always left it in neutral and pulled the hand brake, does that put too much pressure on the hand brake?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Ak3249

I've always left it in neutral and pulled the hand brake, does that put too much pressure on the hand brake?

No because it automatically goes to park if you have a DCT.

[boots]

Thats the same thing I do. I never thought to turn off the car in reverse or drive. Many ways to skin a cat.

Originally Posted by Ak3249

I've always left it in neutral and pulled the hand brake, does that put too much pressure on the hand brake?

[chudak18]

The car has a secondary parking lock, you can hear it engage when you hit the power button the second time to shut accessory off. You can also do simple check to verify that your lock is engaging;
1. Start car, select neutral.
2. Step out and apply pressure on door/frame to ensure it will roll. (make sure car it's set on level ground and give yourself room.)
3. Push start button (shut engine off)
4. Push again (should still roll)
5. Push start button again (turn off accessories / parking lock)
6. Attempt to push car again, dct should still be in neutral, but car should not roll at this time!

[nugent]

ah but what can't be done is pushing the car to roll by just engaging start without turning the engine on.

[dr.skp.ortho]

Originally Posted by ucla95

However the owners manual says it's ok to turn off in D or R. I'll check to see if it does this next time I stop the car in D instead of R. Regardless I don't get any error codes or anything - it's just disconcerting to see that flashing for 20 seconds and have no idea what it means (and nothing in the manual and I've really looked closely).

Its just to warn you the the lever is pushed into the reverse position. That all. No harm is done if you park it with reverse engaged. It still goes into park mode despite the shifter knob being put in reverse. The flashing light is to inform you of this.

[ucla95]

Originally Posted by dr.skp.ortho

Its just to warn you the the lever is pushed into the reverse position. That all. No harm is done if you park it with reverse engaged. It still goes into park mode despite the shifter knob being put in reverse. The flashing light is to inform you of this.

ty