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Don't let a non car person borrow your DCT equipped car!

F

Ferzerp

Diamond Member
You'll end up having to go for a ride to assure them that yes, the noises and clutch engagement feelings are normal.

(Posting this before said ride, because I'm confident that is what it is.)
 
DCT's are Automatics -

They still sound/feel a bit weird and everyone gets a bit freaked out by the chatter noise at low speed and the overall feel of the transmission.
 
Yeah, it was the inactive set of gears changing from the sounds of it. A little chatter with no vibration. I hadn't noticed it before, but it didn't sound out of sorts at all*. Just like gears being shifted under no load.



*knowing that DCTs have all sorts of unfamiliar sounds because they don't work like what we're accustomed to.
 
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Fmr12B said:
DCT's are Automatics -

They still sound/feel a bit weird and everyone gets a bit freaked out by the chatter noise at low speed and the overall feel of the transmission.
Click to expand...

Actually, DCT's aren't anything like torque-converter automatics. DCT's are exactly like regular manual's, except no clutch pedal and two clutches.

The proper term is "automated manual".
 
It's semantics. It's an automatic. Can you drive it without touching it other than putting it in drive, reverse, park, etc? Yep. Then it's an automatic. The mechanics behind it are irrelevant to those other than enthusiasts.
 
Railgun said:
It's semantics. It's an automatic. Can you drive it without touching it other than putting it in drive, reverse, park, etc? Yep. Then it's an automatic. The mechanics behind it are irrelevant to those other than enthusiasts.
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This.
 
michal1980 said:
says an idiot.

I get it, you manual fanboi's like to row your own.

I bet you call power windows, ruined as well.

Or a having a starter, also ruined the car experience, real car guys crank start.
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Well yeah, that's how real race cars do it. BECUZ RACE CAR OR GTFO!
 
No, the point is an automatic should be smooth. It shouldn't be jerky or make odd noises. Now I would assume its better executed by Mercedes/BMW/Porsche but it just doesn't make sense in a car like a Focus. My $0.02
 
Hey guys, I bought a Focus 2012 Titanium last August with DCT. As someone who generally does not often drive manual transmission vehicles I have to say that I kind of like how it sounds/feels when shifting especially when in the "sport mode". The only time I find it feels off is when I'm in traffic that is crawling and the car hops between gears alot.

hahaha yes michal1980 "having a starter, also ruined the car experience, real car guys crank start." Maybe if you have one of those stupid smart cars we could fit it with a kick start for you.
 
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Railgun said:
It's semantics. It's an automatic. Can you drive it without touching it other than putting it in drive, reverse, park, etc? Yep. Then it's an automatic. The mechanics behind it are irrelevant to those other than enthusiasts.
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it depends on your definition of what automatic means to you... literal vs technology wise

traditional automatics technology is entirely different the a traditional manual (ie torque convertor vs clutches)... dct is on the manual side of things technology wise... when I explain to someone what a dct transmission is who isn't mechanically inclined I tell them it is manual transmission that is computer controlled

thedarkwolf said:
The proper term is "ruined manual" 😉
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to say the experience is ruined... my guess is you don't have much experience with a dct transmission. those people usually equate the dct with tiptronic which is entirely incorrect

a dct's shifting can be switched to human controlled (vs computer controlled) to offer the same experience with much quicker shifting as a fully manual transmission... in some cars cases (like the gtr and Porsches) it will rev match for you automatically when downshifting too which many people neglect to do
 
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Again, you're talking about GTRs and Porsches, not $17k econoboxes. Two totally different kinds of cars. There's zero need for a DCT in a cheap car.
 
The DCT in the Focus is horrible. The throttle delay from a stopped position is frightening and downright unsafe. I test drove one for a bit since they didn't have any manual hatches when shopping and it drove me batshit crazy. I'd be at a stoplight and the light would turn green. Press the gas lightly. Nothing. Press it a little harder. Nothing. Finally hammer the go pedal and the car wakes up realizes "OH SHIT HE WANT'S TO GO!!!!" and it winds up and takes off. Coming from Toyota's that have touchy throttle tip ins I couldn't get used to the Focus.

The *true* manual was fine and the choice I went with. Ford would sell a lot more Foci if they had a "normal" slushbox in there that was predictable and smooth.
 
Elganja said:
a dct's shifting can be switched to human controlled (vs computer controlled) to offer the same experience with much quicker shifting as a fully manual transmission... in some cars cases (like the gtr and Porsches) it will rev match for you automatically when downshifting too which many people neglect to do
Click to expand...

Actually, I think this is the part they don't like. Because all of a sudden their whole reason for manual-tranny-eliteness and skillz is now moot, a computer can shift a manual better than they can.

I will of course get flamed by these people for blowing their cover, but oh well. 😛
 
npaladin-2000 said:
Actually, I think this is the part they don't like. Because all of a sudden their whole reason for manual-tranny-eliteness and skillz is now moot, a computer can shift a manual better than they can.

I will of course get flamed by these people for blowing their cover, but oh well. 😛
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DIEEEEEE!!!!

kill_it_with_fire-s670x394-304461.jpg


Seriously, if it was banned in F1, I want it on my car.
 
Elganja said:
a dct's shifting can be switched to human controlled (vs computer controlled) to offer the same experience with much quicker shifting as a fully manual transmission... in some cars cases (like the gtr and Porsches) it will rev match for you automatically when downshifting too which many people neglect to do
Click to expand...

Ever driven a modern ZF "traditional" automatic...does all the same things save for being faster than (ok, or as fast as) a DCT. Hell, even a 370Z rev matches its manual.

When you tell them it's the same as a manual, what do you tell them when you get to the clutch part? That's certainly not like a manual.

For the record, I love DCTs. Just prefer a manual generally speaking.
 
Railgun said:
Ever driven a modern ZF "traditional" automatic...does all the same things save for being faster than (ok, or as fast as) a DCT. Hell, even a 370Z rev matches its manual.

When you tell them it's the same as a manual, what do you tell them when you get to the clutch part? That's certainly not like a manual.

For the record, I love DCTs. Just prefer a manual generally speaking.
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the clutches exist still
 
I remember when I first drove my boss' 911 with PDK. Was confused at first but quickly picked it up. Shifted faster than I ever could. I was sad when she sold it due to having a kid.
 
Elganja said:
it depends on your definition of what automatic means to you... literal vs technology wise

traditional automatics technology is entirely different the a traditional manual (ie torque convertor vs clutches)... dct is on the manual side of things technology wise... when I explain to someone what a dct transmission is who isn't mechanically inclined I tell them it is manual transmission that is computer controlled



to say the experience is ruined... my guess is you don't have much experience with a dct transmission. those people usually equate the dct with tiptronic which is entirely incorrect

a dct's shifting can be switched to human controlled (vs computer controlled) to offer the same experience with much quicker shifting as a fully manual transmission... in some cars cases (like the gtr and Porsches) it will rev match for you automatically when downshifting too which many people neglect to do
Click to expand...

Yes we all get how they function.

But it's not the same experience at all just because it happens to use clutches. Have you ever driven a real manual transmission? The clutch and the shift pattern and rev matching yourself are part of the experience.
 
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