How To Drive Porsche PDK

Porsche likes to do things a little differently. They have their own way of doing just about everything, they want to use their own engine oil, their own design for spoilers, and on their higher-end models, their very own PCCB ceramic brakes.

Maybe they aren’t used exclusively by Porsche. But Porsche seems to do it better than anyone else. Another such invention that Porsche likes to lean into is their PDK transmission system.

This blog post will cover what on earth Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) is, how it works, what makes it different from other gearbox setups, how difficult it is to drive a PDK setup comparatively, and more importantly, how to drive Porsche PDK. Here is everything you need to know. Let’s dive right into it!

Table of Contents

Highlights

Porsche PDK is a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) system developed in collaboration with BorgWarner and introduced in 2008.
PDK uses two clutches and separate input shafts for odd and even gears, allowing for almost instantaneous gear changes.
Porsche PDK differs from other transmissions by having two clutches for faster and smoother gear changes.
Advantages of PDK include extremely fast gear changes, precise control over acceleration and fuel economy, and different driving modes.
Driving a Porsche PDK is not necessarily harder than other gearbox setups, and it can be as simple as driving an automatic transmission.
To drive a Porsche PDK, start the engine, select a driving mode, and use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manual control if desired.
Overall, Porsche PDK is user-friendly and offers performance benefits for drivers.

What Is Porsche PDK?

Porsche PDK is a type of dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that Porsche developed in collaboration with a leading automotive technology supplier called BorgWarner.

It was first introduced in 2008 on the Porsche 911 and has since been offered on various Porsche models, usually models on the higher end of the cost spectrum or designed for track racing.

These two groups usually overlap. The PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) transmission uses two separate clutches, each with its own input shaft and its own set of gears. This allows for almost instant gear changes. If that is a little confusing to you, don’t worry. In practice, it’s quite a lot simpler than you might think.

The first clutch controls the odd-numbered gears (1, 3, 5, 7 *PDK transmissions are 7-speed*), while the second clutch controls the even-numbered gears (2, 4, 6). As the driver accelerates, the first clutch engages the first gear, while the second clutch pre-selects the second gear. When it’s time to shift, the second clutch engages the pre-selected gear, while the first clutch disengages the previous gear.

And so on and so forth. The idea is that because the next gear is already in place, you can pretty much instantaneously move from one gear into the next without missing a beat. You can see why this only works for automatic transmissions, can’t you?

How Does Porsche PDK Differ From Other Transmissions?

To clarify, the Porsche PDK is a type of transmission that is different from other transmissions because it has two clutches instead of one. Most transmissions run off of a single clutch system, whereas the PDK runs off of two, which allows for faster and smoother gear changes.

Other transmissions, such as single-clutch manual and automatic transmissions, only have one clutch. For example the type of ZF transmission single clutch gearbox BMW uses on their new G80 M3. Obviously, that is the major point of difference. All the varying benefits and differences stem from that one key focus.

What Are The Advantages Of A PDK?

The bulk of the PDK’s advantages stems from the fact that it allows for extremely fast gear changes, with almost no interruption to the flow of power.

This is particularly beneficial in high-speed racing situations where quick and precise gear changes are critical for maximum acceleration.

In addition to its incredibly fast gear changes, the PDK transmission also offers different driving modes, sport, normal, etc. Each mode adjusts the shift points and speed depending on the driver’s preferences. This allows you to have greater control over acceleration and fuel economy.

Is PDK Harder To Drive Than Other Gearboxes?

No, the Porsche PDK is not necessarily any harder to drive than other gearbox setups. It is certainly a little different, which you might find strange at first, but very few people would claim that the Porsche PDK system is any more difficult than a standard automatic transmission.

PDK doesn’t have to be all that confusing either, if you want, you can just keep it in Drive and let it do its thing. This is what my girlfriend does almost always and I do as well when I’m driving locally in traffic.

If it was a dual-clutch manual gearbox, then we would probably have a far different answer for you! You will find that some drivers may find it easier and more convenient to use the PDK gearbox right off the bat, especially in high-performance driving situations.

At the same time, others may take a little while to adjust. But, eventually, they will come around too. The PDK can be used in both fully automatic mode or with manual control using paddle shifters, allowing the driver to select the desired gears without having to use a clutch pedal.

It really can be as simple to use as any other automatic transmission. Which we will all agree is already significantly easier to use than a manual transmission.

How to drive Porsche PDK you ask? To start driving with your Porsche PDK, you first need to start the engine by holding the brake then pressing the start button. Simple, right? No different than pretty much any other car. Then select drive and away you go. Extremely simple.

If you want to get more involved, you will next need to select a driving mode using the buttons on the center console. The PDK transmission offers several driving modes that adjust shift points, throttle response, and other settings.

For simplicities sake, let’s just go with normal mode, as that is what you will be using 90% of the time. Other than this there’s sport and sport plus. Finally, the PDK can be used in fully automatic mode or manually controlled with the paddle shifters on your steering wheel.

To shift gears manually, you can pull the right paddle to shift up and the left paddle to shift down. It really isn’t overly complicated or much different than most driving transmissions. However, some people confuse the preservation for a single clutch, say on a Maserati MC Stradale, for the PDK. But this is simply not necessary.

Hill holders, and managing putting it into neutral when stopped etc, just aren’t an issue here. Porsche has designed the computer to take care of all that for you.

Our Verdict On How to drive Porsche PDK Gearboxes

Hopefully, you now feel like you have a good understanding of what a Porsche PDK gearbox is, how it works, what makes it unique in the world of transmissions, and even how to drive one. It really isn’t that complicated or different from a consumer perspective.

The PDK transmission is automatic, which means it more or less takes care of itself. If you are lucky enough to own a PDK transmission, let us know whether you feel it is any more difficult, or perhaps any easier, to drive than any of Porsches other automatic transmissions. Thanks for reading, be sure to check back in with us soon, and goodbye for now. Cheers!

Alfio Capicollo