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Dealer mistake and deception? - READ ONLY

33 messages,  Last post on Sep 06, 2003 at 9:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Engine, Oil, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 4

#24 of 33 uhhh, what wear are we gaining, again, here? by swschrad

Sep 02, 2003 (9:42 pm)

slightly confused here. when I had a 4-H shift way back in the dark ages, there was a engine plate that spins whenever the engine is running, and then there is a clutch plate that is shiftable into or out of contact, depending on the clutch pedal. if you are not moving, the friction-surface clutch plate on a stopped car should not be moving, since there is no transfer back through the tranny of force from the car rolling backwards under a truck.
 
hill-holders are nice to have when it is time to take off the brake and gas a little as you release the clutch so you still don't run backwards downhill underneath a truck, but that's not the point.
 
what is spinning that is not supposed to that should force you to shift into neutral? why not just kick the whamstick over once to first and be ready to roll when the light changes?
 
the sales guy just wants people playing with the stick IMHO, maybe get you into a fighter-pilot mood so you HAVE TO HAVE that car.
 
not a class-A felony, but definitely I think bogus.

#25 of 33 by sgrd0q

Sep 03, 2003 (4:54 am)

Keeping the clutch engaged and staying in first gear at the stop light is how they teach you to drive in the UK. This doesn't wear out the clutch in any way - most cars in the UK are manual and I've seen plenty high-milers on the original clutch.

#26 of 33 It DOES, however, by zueslewis

Sep 03, 2003 (5:01 am)

keep the throwout bearing out of position, so yes, it does wear the clutch assembly, if not just the plate.

#27 of 33 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 03, 2003 (10:12 am)

It stresses the throwout bearing and the pressure plate springs and "fingers" certainly. Think of it as holding a spring-loaded screen door open to its maximum for long periods of time.
 
Of course, net effect of this habit would not be seen immediately and I can't say as I'd claim that clutch life was shortened dramatically---but shortened, to be sure.

#28 of 33 I'll buy the bearing and release wear by swschrad

Sep 03, 2003 (3:51 pm)

but the guy said rotating parts would wear it out. that is a canard.
 
it's not going to kill you if the throwout bearing does need a replacement in 90,000 miles, though.

#29 of 33 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 04, 2003 (7:54 am)

Given how long most people keep their cars, probably the net effect to the original owner who lets his foot sleep on the clutch pedal is...well...negligible...a few thousand less miles on the clutch perhaps. Really hard to say. I certainly wouldn't call it "abuse" but I certainly wouldn't "train" someone to do it either.

#30 of 33 Well... by div2

Sep 04, 2003 (12:20 pm)

I got into the habit(shifting into neutral when stopped) soon after I got my 1973 Bavaria 3.0. The story I heard was that almost all Germans shift into neutral as a matter of course and thus their throwout bearings aren't designed for long periods of clutch disengagement. I never found out whether that was true or not, but it made sense-so I incorporated it into my driving technique. FWIW, I also heel and toe/double-clutch on downshifts-even in my Wrangler. Am I an anachronism or what?

#31 of 33 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 04, 2003 (12:41 pm)

An optimist certainly, but the Wrangler is really the only true American sports car made anymore, so I appreciate your adherence to tradition.

#32 of 33 Mr_Shiftright. by div2

Sep 05, 2003 (10:26 pm)

Didn't Enzo make that comment originally? Regardless, the Jeep is entertaining in its own way. I'm sure some would consider it blasphemy, but I think that the Wrangler drives like a TR-6 fitted with a lift kit...

#33 of 33 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 06, 2003 (9:44 am)

I think Ferrari did say that, or if he didn't, he should have.
 
Yeah, floor shift, bucket seats, side curtains, soft top, noise, wind, rough ride and 4-wheel drifting on skinny tires...that is pure sports car for the "fundamentalist".
 
Okay, now where WERE we on this topic??

Messages Page 4 of 4

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