YACT: Does it wear out the clutch to keep it fully engaged?

[Sureshot324]

If i'm stopped at a traffic light, should i put it in neutral or keep it in first and keep the clutch fully engaged? I've heard that keeping it engaged wears out the clutch. Obviously it wouldn't wear the clutch plates since they're not slipping, but the throwout bearing and other mechanical parts. I've also heard that if you any kind of driving test, you need to keep the clutch engaged at traffic lights so you can move the car if you need to (say someone was about to rear end you). Any thoughts?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
If i'm stopped at a traffic light, should i put it in neutral or keep it in first and keep the clutch fully engaged? I've heard that keeping it engaged wears out the clutch. Obviously it wouldn't wear the clutch plates since they're not slipping, but the throwout bearing and other mechanical parts. I've also heard that if you any kind of driving test, you need to keep the clutch engaged at traffic lights so you can move the car if you need to (say someone was about to rear end you). Any thoughts?

keeping it pressed to the floor will not wear out anything sooner than your clutch will probably go anyway....



however, if you want to beat people off the line, keep it down!

 

[Rainsford]

I put it in neutral because it's easier, and it's probably a little better on the clutch (not too much difference I would think).

 

[HappyPuppy]

You are putting a negligible amount of additional wear on the throwout bearing.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
You are putting a negligible amount of additional wear on the throwout bearing.

Yep and it's safer too. If you are about to be rear ended and you see it coming, you have at least some chance.

 

[imported_Sherman]

In normal driving, that is not drag racing, the only bad thing you can do is hill hold with your clutch. That will shorten it's service life...Sherman

 

[JulesMaximus]

Nope, the only time your clutch wears is when pressing in and out. Having it fully engaged or fully disengaged causes no wear.

 

[Rebasxer]

Yea, it's not great for the clutch, but it won't make any major ammount of difference.

 

[Brian23]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
You are putting a negligible amount of additional wear on the throwout bearing.

QFT

 

[RadioHead84]

I think keeping it engaded is fine. My question is when its ok to downshift to 2nd gear. I just got a new clutch becuase my car has like 180k on it. Now when i down shift and slowly relase the clutch my car kinda shakes a bit..when its full realesed and in 2nd gear i am fine its just the transition.

 

[imported_Sherman]

RH84, at worst, the disk may hve been tweeked when it was installed. But it's most likley just bedding in. The bedding in process will take awhile if the flywheel face was not surfaced at instalation. Me thinks it is the latter.....Sherman..

 

[Zenmervolt]

If your clutch is fully engaged at a stoplight, then your foot is off the pedal.

Foot to the floor on the pedal = DISENGAGED.

Keeping the clutch fully disengaged puts an infinitesimal amount of wear on the throwout bearing, which is not enough to do any real damage during the life of the clutch.

ZV

 

[iamwiz82]

You gain nothing but wear on the throwout bearing be keeping it engaged.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Sherman
RH84, at worst, the disk may hve been tweeked when it was installed. But it's most likley just bedding in. The bedding in process will take awhile if the flywheel face was not surfaced at instalation. Me thinks it is the latter.....Sherman..

Even if the flywheel was resurfaced he's probably not used to a grabby new clutch. I'd bet that it's just the increased gripping power that he's adjusting to.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
You gain nothing but wear on the throwout bearing be keeping it engaged.

Disengaged damnit.

ZV

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
You gain nothing but wear on the throwout bearing be keeping it engaged.

Disengaged damnit.

ZV

You're right, but it doesnt matter.

 

[thujone]

any other tips for preserving the life of a clutch? or problem indicators i should look out for?

just started driving one like 4 months ago... and can't even imagine going back to an automatic.

was excited to have a nice warranty (vw certified preown) then realized it didn't cover "wear and tear" which includes the clutch, etc.

just worried since i learned to drive on this... so might have put some extra wear on it in the first month or so.

haven't noticed any problems with it though.

 

[RadioHead84]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Sherman
RH84, at worst, the disk may hve been tweeked when it was installed. But it's most likley just bedding in. The bedding in process will take awhile if the flywheel face was not surfaced at instalation. Me thinks it is the latter.....Sherman..

Even if the flywheel was resurfaced he's probably not used to a grabby new clutch. I'd bet that it's just the increased gripping power that he's adjusting to.

ZV

Should I adjust then and not downshift as much..or does it just need breaking in

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: thujone
any other tips for preserving the life of a clutch? or problem indicators i should look out for?

just started driving one like 4 months ago... and can't even imagine going back to an automatic.

was excited to have a nice warranty (vw certified preown) then realized it didn't cover "wear and tear" which includes the clutch, etc.

just worried since i learned to drive on this... so might have put some extra wear on it in the first month or so.

haven't noticed any problems with it though.

I taught 4-5 people to drive stick on my car..also ran more than a couple 1/4 drag runs, abused the crap out of it..and it still hadn't completely wore out. I replaced it at about 140,000 miles..I'm sure yours will be fine.

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: thujone

just started driving one like 4 months ago... and can't even imagine going back to an automatic.

Just wait until you have to spend hours each day in rush hour traffic.

<-- considering slushbox for next car

 

[thedarkwolf]

I am more worried about killing my knee then the throwout bearing so it goes into neutral. I have a rather stiff clutch.

 

[sharkeeper]

Keeping the clutch fully disengaged puts an infinitesimal amount of wear on the throwout bearing, which is not enough to do any real damage during the life of the clutch.

And this is ok since when this part wears out we just throw it out

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

My car only has 70,000KMs and I think my throwout is going. I start hearing these audible whirling noises (no it's not just in my mind) and when I tap the clutch lightly the noise is gone.

Even though it is a wear and tear item, it should not wear out so prematurely. I'm hoping warranty covers it.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: thujone

just started driving one like 4 months ago... and can't even imagine going back to an automatic.

Just wait until you have to spend hours each day in rush hour traffic.

<-- considering slushbox for next car

Some cars are better than others, get one with a lighter clutch maybe. My Mazda 3 has a pretty light clutch, I've driven it in some of the worst DC traffic with no problem.