Heh... I've had a couple of old cars that I hardly used the clutch except for starting from a complete stop.
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car clutch question
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MalcolmJID said:For example I was doing about 80mph in heavy traffic in the outside lane of the M6 (going up to The Lakes), and suddenly the Vectra in front of me is pretty much stopped. I shout my favourite expletive (shit!), then slam on. It wasn't enough, I still knew i was gonna hit him, so I just quickly shifted to third, let the clutch out, then after maybe half a second, into second and used that. I only just stopped. Luckily, I wasn't rear ended either.
Using my own story, this at first was a "two foot to the floor panic", but then I used the engine as much as possible. To be honest, I'm also suprised I never locked the wheels up. Though, it was a dry day.
I've only begun downshifting with the clutch, I never really used to do it. But now, it's totally awesome.
benthewraith said:
How were you changing before? Just slamming the gear leaver home
I know that clutchless downshifts are possible but you just tend to mash the gears up. Or do you drive an automatic of some sort? In which case you don't have a clutch (at least that you can control).
robbieduncan said:Which is why you give it a very hefty blip of the throttle between gears
45mph in second sounds plausible, although a little high for my car when slowing. If you are "making progress" then you'll be doing more than this before changing up to third. I often hit the rev limiter in second (which is at around 7400rpm).
Going up the gears, yes.
But down shifting? NO!!
I must admit I get scared around 5000rpm and change gear. Going to 7500 seems a little unnecessary
bartelby said:Going up the gears, yes.
But down shifting? NO!!
I must admit I get scared around 5000rpm and change gear. Going to 7500 seems a little unnecessary
I try not to hit the limitter on the way down
I did accedentally change into 1st instead of 3rd coming onto the pit straight at Brands Hatch but the gear was only engaged for a fraction of a second as I jumped straight back on the clutch. Locked the rear wheels though! The marshal gave me a very strange look but I got away with it
robbieduncan said:I try not to hit the limitter on the way down
I did accedentally change into 1st instead of 3rd coming onto the pit straight at Brands Hatch but the gear was only engaged for a fraction of a second as I jumped straight back on the clutch. Locked the rear wheels though! The marshal gave me a very strange look but I got away with it
I've stuck the Alfa in to 3rd instead of 5th whilst doing 55 - 60. I was glad the engine could rev as high as it does!
The clutch in my Impreza Turbo last 52,000 miles
Dont even ask what a new clutch in one of those gits costs, cant say I miss the expense since selling it.
Dont even ask what a new clutch in one of those gits costs, cant say I miss the expense since selling it.
Foggy said:The clutch in my Impreza Turbo last 52,000 miles
Dont even ask what a new clutch in one of those gits costs, cant say I miss the expense since selling it.
If your talking having it supplied and fitted by a Subaru dealer, I'm willing to bet it's less than similar for an Alfa.
bartelby said:If your talking having it supplied and fitted by a Subaru dealer, I'm willing to bet it's less than similar for an Alfa.
Supplied and fitted by a main London dealer - almost made me cry.
At least you lucky people RPM gauges. (Or do you?)
1990 Toyota Pickup, gonna be my first car. Manual, NO RPM gauge.
Still learning how to drive it, and ive only had 3 minor wrecks.
I tend to just leave in the clutch if I'm at a stoplight, As I always have trouble if I have to put it in neutral, then into first.
As far as gear changings go: 0 at 1st, 15 at 2nd, 25 at 3rd, and 45 at 4th.
(Four speed.)
1990 Toyota Pickup, gonna be my first car. Manual, NO RPM gauge.
Still learning how to drive it, and ive only had 3 minor wrecks.
I tend to just leave in the clutch if I'm at a stoplight, As I always have trouble if I have to put it in neutral, then into first.
As far as gear changings go: 0 at 1st, 15 at 2nd, 25 at 3rd, and 45 at 4th.
(Four speed.)
robbieduncan said:How were you changing before? Just slamming the gear leaver home
Well, I would shift into neutral and use the brake to slow down?
It really depends on the sequence, but I always keep my clutch in.
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Mazdaspeed Performance Accessories - Mazdaspeed Performance Accessories Catalog by Mazda USA
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Mazdaspeed Performance Accessories - Mazdaspeed Performance Accessories Catalog by Mazda USA