I have a hydraulic clutch and I was wondering if anyone could give tips for starts/shifts/driving in general on how to save the clutch. I have a slight concern for the future of changing my clutch, as it is expensive and I would like to prolong it as long as possible.
I drive a 2001 VW GTI, with 57k miles.What are some techniques/tips for driving to lower harm to the clutch?Learning to Rev-match will save lots of wear on your clutch. The majority of wear on a clutch disc is from the disc having to make up the difference between engine speed and transmission input shaft speed.
Using my 1987 Mazda RX-7 as an example, here's how you rev-match. Let's say I'm cruising along in 3rd gear at 2000rpm (around 30mph) and I want to shift down to 2nd. First, step on the clutch and pull it out of 3rd. With the clutch still in, rev to 3000 as you slot the shifter to 2nd. Then release the clutch and accelerate.
How high you need to rev depends on your transmission's gear ratios. It'll take some practice to get it right, but it'll be seamless when you do. To get an idea of what you need to rev to, I'd suggest taking your car out on an empty stretch of road and keeping it at 2000rpm in 4th gear, then downshifting to 3rd gear and maintaining the same actual speed. You'll find out exactly what the difference is then (mine is 50%, or 1000rpm in this case). In my car, 4th gear at 2000rpm is the same speed as 3rd gear at 3000rpm. 4th gear at 3000rpm would be 3rd at 4500rpm and so on. Your car might be geared differently, so you should take a notebook with you and write down the rpm differences between gears. And most of all, keep your starting speed consistent. I used 2000rpm and found my car has a 50% difference between gears (it goes up to 3000rpm on downshift)
Once you got that down, you might try giving heel-and-toe a try. Basically, you are rev-matching on a downshift while braking.
Step on the clutch
Step on brakes,
Downshift and rev-match using the heel of your right foot, while braking with your toe
Release all 3 pedals and accelerateWhat are some techniques/tips for driving to lower harm to the clutch?DON'T use the clutch to brake. Don't downshift when you are stopping, just shift into neutral and brake normally. Brakepads are a lot cheaper and easier to replace than a clutch.
If you're willing to slightly reduce the life of your transmission, you can shift without using the clutch at all. There are shift-points where the gears match up naturally. Once you find them, you can just quickly jump up gears without the clutch. Having a tachometer really helps to find your shift points.What are some techniques/tips for driving to lower harm to the clutch?thats a good question. usually clutchs last for a long time ( say every 50k or so ) but it also depends on how you drive.
when starting, usually you will have the car in 1st or second gear when parked, so when you start it, you can just push the clutch to start it. if you were to shift to neutral before starting the car, the clutch wont engage, and therefore adding a slight amount of life too it.
also, upshifting, you have to shift as smooth as possible, when the engine rpm, and trans rpm are about the same. don't give it too much gas when up shifting.
the same applied to down shifting. do it as smooth as possible.
when stopping at a red light, the less you have the clutch pressed in while in gear the better, so shift to neutral if you are going to be at a light for sometime. even when the clutch is pressed in, there is a slight friction going on, not much, but in the long run, it makes a difference.What are some techniques/tips for driving to lower harm to the clutch?Michael Hunt has the idea to not use your clutch, and it is a good idea. You don't need to look at your rpm gage, it can get you into trouble. Just listen to your engine, it will tell you when to change gears with out the clutch. Most of the time you will start in 1st gear, just go fast enough to get your car rowling. At this time you will use the clutch, now with out the clutch pull it out of 1st and go to 2nd. Don't do it fast just do it easy, now give it gas till to YOU it sounds like time to change to 3rd, pull it out of 2nd - no clutch and go to 3rd. Now if you can't get it out of 2nd slow it down a little, then see if you can pull it out of gear. Now to gear down, don't use your clutch. If in your highest gear, just slow down some pull it out of that gear, to go to your next highest gear, run your rpm up till it falls into that gear. Because as you run your rpm up and trying to push it into gear, (not hard) just hard enough to go into gear, if your rpm is high enough it will just fall into gear. You will learn in time, just keep trying.
