[BlownMini]

I was wondering what the wear and tear is or potentially could be on shifting without the use of the clutch. I get lazy, especially in Los Angeles traffic, and I dont like to use my clutch sometimes. I have learned the rpm at which I can engage any gear, sometimes it slips into with ease and other times with a little bit of force. Anyone have any problems resulting from such misuse of their gearbox?? I drive an '06 MCS (getrag gearbox I believe).

[KillerByte]

Why would you change gear without the clutch? That is just lazy!

[ScottyBoy]

I agree! This is a very bad way of driving especially on an 06 plate car, if you have any issues in the future with this i would expect it hard to try and claim!

[MINImeat]

Synchro and gear tooth wear/damage would be my main concerns.
You're moving/meshing gearsets loaded vs. unloaded.

[--Mike--]

I think the reason they put a clutch in the car is that you are supposed to use it!!! I can't see it being good for the 'box in the long term.

[raiderz]

Yeah you are most likely eventually break something giving yourself a hefty bill... why not get an auto gearbox if you don't like a clutch pedal???

I'm probably gonna stir up a hornets nest here but isn't automatic transmission "point and steer" any idiot can use them!!

[jamesbeaumont]

BAD, please buy an auto!

[Fevs]

i quite oftern change gear in my car without a clutch if its all balanced right it just goes right in with no resistance

i drive a lorry for work all day and only use the clutch to move off and when stopping other wise you change gear up and down all day long with no clutch and mine has now done 2 million K's

[Root Ginger]

Not using the clutch will result in premature wear of the gearbox. I can't believe people would even consider not using it.

It's incredibly lazy and down right stupid.

If you can't drive it properly get an auto.

[Hartge210]

If you keep on you'll have to change your name to Blowngearbox

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartge210 (original)

If you keep on you'll have to change your name to Blowngearbox

[Neil the Hat]

If you get it right there would be very little if any negative effects to the gearbox.

I would say changing up is probably less harmful than changing down.

Getting it wrong crunches the same as when you lift the clutch a little prematurely before the gear is actually in.

I've done it in many cars (though don't in my present Mini) and with all my motorbikes and have never needed a replacement gearbox.

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Neil the Hat (original)

If you get it right there would be very little if any negative effects to the gearbox.

I would say changing up is probably less harmful than changing down.

Getting it wrong crunches the same as when you lift the clutch a little prematurely before the gear is actually in.

I've done it in many cars (though don't in my present Mini) and with all my motorbikes and have never needed a replacement gearbox.

I do actually agree to some extent but NOT in the MINI because of the related gearbox issues, A few years back my brother owned an Astra GSi and in that when he pushed he didnt use the clutch, he knew when to change with no crunch what so ever and resulted in a much better 0 -60 time!

[minicabrio]

The art of doing this is matching your engine speed to the ratio speed, if you can do it properly you'll never need the clutch, unless as Fevs said when moving off or stopping.

If your good at it, no ill effects will come of it at all, in fact, you'll save on clutch wear. Get it wrong though and you'll have some worn out cogs soon enough

[Carlos.]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fevs (original)

i quite oftern change gear in my car without a clutch if its all balanced right it just goes right in with no resistance

i drive a lorry for work all day and only use the clutch to move off and when stopping other wise you change gear up and down all day long with no clutch and mine has now done 2 million K's

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

If you can't drive it properly get an auto.

Quote: Originally Posted by Neil the Hat (original)

I've done it in many cars (though don't in my present Mini) and with all my motorbikes and have never needed a replacement gearbox.

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyBoy230 (original)

A few years back my brother owned an Astra GSi and in that when he pushed he didnt use the clutch, he knew when to change with no crunch what so ever and resulted in a much better 0 -60 time!

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

If your good at it, no ill effects will come of it at all

IMHO, it takes a damn GOOD driver to change clutchlessly.

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Carlos. (original)

IMHO, it takes a damn GOOD driver to change clutchlessly.

That it does... I tried it once in a Yugo

[Fin]

The car comes with a clutch. So I use the clutch.

[louisthethird]

I can't believe this thread!!!!

'I have a MINI ONE and, for driving on motorways only, I can't be bothered to change gear so I keep it in first.........I really wanted a MCS and this is the only way I can get my ONE to whine like an 'S' - will there be any damage?'

You ARE joking, aren't you?

I like the praise for your driving skill - a damn good driver? Surely a better driver uses THE CLUTCH!!!



Made my day, this has!

(and I'm having one hell of a day - I thank you)

[medilloni]

Interesting thread! And fraught with danger ......

If you change up (with no resistance whatsoever), you're timing the change/rev difference so that the gears engage with no harm whatsoever. No problem.

When there is resistance and you're having to push the lever hard (as opposed to it being naturally 'eaten in'), then you'll cause damage to the main and lay shafts, synchro rings and gears.

Changing down, the old fashioned expression of 'double declutching' is as old as the hills and is perfectly harmless IF there's no crunching. It's even more satisfying getting this right whilst heel and toeing. Get a crunch and you've worn a part of the 'box.

I would guess that most that change up without the clutch are lazy , those that change down (succesfully!) are skillful and have much smoother down changes - a track day relying on the syncromesh would kill the 'box - for example.

[mmalc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

Not using the clutch will result in premature wear of the gearbox. I can't believe people would even consider not using it.
It's incredibly lazy and down right stupid.
If you can't drive it properly get an auto.

On the contrary, driving without the clutch requires considerable skill.
Rather than simply relying on the synchromesh to ensure gear speeds are matched, you have to ensure you do it properly yourself.

The problem is that getting it wrong will cause excessive wear on the gearbox, and it's not an easy thing to get right every time...

mmalc