2002 4200 coupe

[Hughandjen]

Hi guys
Two questions about driving styles.

1. when approaching a roundabout is it ok to pop it into neutral straight from say 4th gear? I was wondering if this would reduce wear in the clutch and may be smoother to drive
2. when at a junction, being old school I have always put my car in neutral to save the clutch dragging. The 4200 when stationary in 1st gear seems to have no clutch dragging at all so your views on keeping it in 1st gear at lights

thanks

 

[CatmanV2]

1. No reason at all, just grab both the paddles. You'll miss out on the theatre of the downshifts though
2. It'll go into neutral anyway after a number of seconds / minutes. In neutral (from memory) the clutch plates are fully engage. If the PIS is set right there should be zero drag in first, but you are technically wearing the throw out bearing.

I think that's right.

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

The saving on clutch wear would be minimal.

The Sports Maserati Approved way of prolonging the life of your clutch is as follows:

Drive in Sport EVERYWHERE.
Hold onto every gear to 7,000rpm (minimum).
Have a stupid grin on your face because of the above.

Actually that is not the SM approved way, but it's the way to enjoy your car rather than wondering if the clutch may go pop.

 

[Steve4200]

1. No reason at all, just grab both the paddles. You'll miss out on the theatre of the downshifts though
2. It'll go into neutral anyway after a number of seconds / minutes. In neutral (from memory) the clutch plates are fully engage. If the PIS is set right there should be zero drag in first, but you are technically wearing the throw out bearing.

I think that's right.

C

With the foot on the brake pedal Neutral is the same as being in Gear as the clutch is disengaged. If the PIS is set correctly and with a healthy hydraulic unit then premature clutch wear is normally a result of driving style. The design is for positive progressive throttle at all times on take off, unfortunately unless on the track such things as traffic, parking and throttle dithering are the clutch killers.

Regards

 

[Zep]

Here is the last time we hand this discussion, as you will see, there is just opinion rather than hard data:

https://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/index.php?threads/selecting-neutral-in-gransport-to-save-clutch-when-stopped-in-traffic.33685/

 

[GTVGEOFF]

Drive in Sport EVERYWHERE.
Hold onto every gear to 7,000rpm (minimum).
Have a stupid grin on your face because of the above.

This will save your cultch, because you will be banned from driving and your car will sit in your garage

 

[GeoffCapes]

Drive in Sport EVERYWHERE.
Hold onto every gear to 7,000rpm (minimum).
Have a stupid grin on your face because of the above.

This will save your cultch, because you will be banned from driving and your car will sit in your garage

I have to disagree. Just because you hold onto every gear to 7000rpm doesn't mean you you drive every gear to 7000rpm.
From memory you need at least 2nd gear to get to 70mph.
And you can certainly drive in 30mph zones in 1st gear.

 

[philw696]

I have to disagree. Just because you hold onto every gear to 7000rpm doesn't mean you you drive every gear to 7000rpm.
From memory you need at least 2nd gear to get to 70mph.
And you can certainly drive in 30mph zones in 1st gear.

Totally agree and the sound is amazing at 30 mph in first gear.
Used to love driving through Weston super Mare traffic in the 4200, 456 and the 360 especially on a Sunny day everyone loved to hear them

 

[safrane]

Your clutch is more likely to fail than wear out if it is new or you are doing more than 60k in the vehicle.

 

[Gazcw]

My man maths calculator is bust, but if you can get 40k miles from a clutch (gt) and guessing it costs £4k with all the gubbins then that just £10 every 1000 miles. That's a lot of fun and not worth the worry that goes on about clutch wear! Mine was replaced at 45k and the race button is well worn.