Does the manual function damage the auto box?

[rivarama]

Hi gang,

still on the honeymoon with my new 4.2L lady...

I was wondering whether sticking the gear lever on manual, and changing the gears by flipping the paddles was wearing / damaging the gearbox down? Reading about how using the auto function on the MC shift would reduce the clutch life, I was wondering whether doing the opposite for the 4.2 auto box would have the same effect.

Changing gears and lifting the foot off the gas while shifting clearly isn't as smooth as the auto mode... so I was wondering whether I was doing something wrong. I quite like the manual mode, it sounds better... cannot help it

Also, I noticed that if I tried to slow the car down by shifting down gears as opposed to using brakes only (without going over 5k rpm), I can smell something of a clutch smell after a while... is that normal, or is that just in my head?

Thanks for your tips/thoughts on the above

 

[CatmanV2]

I suspect it's just in your head, as, reading the tech doc, I don't think it has that kind of clutch.

I can't see any way it *would* damage the box, apart from anything else it would be in the manual (don't forget the auto mode in the MC doesn't *damage* the clutch, but it *might* wear it out a bit faster)

C

 

[ManInBlack]

If your manual is not as smooth as the auto I would suggest that you've not properly mastered it yet! Don't lift then paddle, it'll jerk more you have to get used to pulling the paddle & then just easing off the gas a little & back on again if at lower revs, at high revs just pull the paddle & wow. Personally I would never use the box to help slow down & was advised to knock her out of gear & brake until you stop or need to hit the gas again & then paddle back in to gear, this is easier on clutch ware, Brakes are considerably cheaper than clutches!!!! If I do a lot of high Rev/high speed gear changes I can smell the clutch, but then again I always have with my 06 Quattroporte & I've owned her for nearly 2 years.

 

[Contigo]

I use the downshift to brake all the time and to hear that pops and bangs, it blips and rev matches on the down change so I don't see how it is not supposed to be used!

 

[CatmanV2]

I use the downshift to brake all the time and to hear that pops and bangs, it blips and rev matches on the down change so I don't see how it is not supposed to be used!

This. Although just by the fact you're using the clutch it will be wearing it out. A bit.

C

 

[ManInBlack]

You hear of clutches wearing out in 20k miles! Mines at 52% wear & is at 54k & 9 years old. My clutch wear is checked whenever she's at Autoshield & I'm using about 10% a year/10k miles. As long as your aware that your wearing your clutch quicker & have no problem with the replacement cost, it won't be a problem!

 

[safrane]

That seems to match my experience of 1% per 1,000 miles in the 3 I have had...I can't understand how cars/drivers manage to eat on at 20k

 

[BennyD]

Lots of town driving, multi storey car parks, garages with upward sloping drives, using the 'auto' function, the list goes on. Most of us just get in, select 'sport' and use them as they should be used. That way a 30-40k clutch should be achievable.

 

[rivarama]

Is that true for 4.2L GT? I didnt know there was a proper clutch (as opposed to the mc shift)

 

[StuartW]

No clutch in the 4.2 so you have nothing to worry about there.

For me, it's more of a weekend / occasion car so it's always in MC-S mode as my mileage is fairly low. I remember speaking to Marios before I bought mine and he has heard of a clutch only lasting 12k, that must have been some driving to get through it so fast!

 

[ManInBlack]

Yes, but it does depend on when you change you clutch also, you read on forums of owners panicking at 65% wear & talking about imminent clutch renewal! Clutch wear is only a computerised indication & 140% clutch wear is not unheard of! According to Mario at Autoshield when the clutch is getting near you'll have difficulty in selecting reverse as the first indication, pretty much like when your battery is about to give up you tend to get specific electrical failures. Mine was an intermittent parking sensor failure! Oh & don't think that I drive like an old fart, Sport, Manual & give it some s***

 

[Ewan]

You won't cause any harm by using the paddles, but I agree with the statement that brakes are for slowing the car down, not the gearbox! Your gearbox, bring an auto, is very different from the DS manual boxes that Phil and ManInBlack have in their earlier QP's. You have nothing to worry about in terms of clutch wear.

 

[zagatoes30]

My clutch was replaced at 53k, it wasn't slipping but it started to select neutral on up shifts with increasing regularity. Also the PID was out of tolerance which also indicated a worn clutch plate.

Clutch wear is normally related to slipping the clutch and this is more likely in auto mode as the gearbox trys to smooth out the bite point. Stick it in sport and thrash it was the best advise I was given

 

[rivarama]

Thanks a lot for your input guys... Still learning how to enjoy the italian diva

 

[P5Nij]

My clutch was replaced at 53k, it wasn't slipping but it started to select neutral on up shifts with increasing regularity. Also the PID was out of tolerance which also indicated a worn clutch plate.

Clutch wear is normally related to slipping the clutch and this is more likely in auto mode as the gearbox trys to smooth out the bite point. Stick it in sport and thrash it was the best advise I was given

What about driving in town amongst lesser mortals, is it easy to pootle about for a bit using the paddles..?

 

[StuartW]

What about driving in town amongst lesser mortals, is it easy to pootle about for a bit using the paddles..?

Yes its fine, you soon get used to it and with no clutch pedal you only have to shift gear so one less process than a fully manual car - a doddle!

 

[CatmanV2]

Yes its fine, you soon get used to it and with no clutch pedal you only have to shift gear so one less process than a fully manual car - a doddle!

This!

C

 

[P5Nij]

Thanks gents ;O)