Pulling away in manual 4200 CC

[tonym3]

Maybe I am just getting used to the car and gearbox but I find pulling away in 1st is difficult to get a good feel for.
What I mean is it seems to be all or nothing, if I'm at the lights I don't want to be spinning away having races but I want to get away quickly, I have not quiet got the hang of it.

Do you start in neural and build up the revs? Or start in 1st? Or even 2nd.

As I say I'm not looking at winning the traffic light grand prix!! But I went to pull away this afternoon and a transit got away quicker!!!

At the moment I am starting in 1st but find it hard to get a steady pull away.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[CatmanV2]

I shall watch this with interest. FWIW, Tony, I have similar issues. I either leave 50% of my tyres behind, or I get burnt off my Corsas. It's getting better (I'm getting better) but I'm beginning to think it's simply not the time of year to be driving 400bhp supercars.

C

 

[tonym3]

I think I will try leaving in neutral and revving slightly,
If I was in a manual car I would have it in 1st and hold it on the clutch whilst building the revs, obviously I cannot hold the revs whilst in 1st, but if I am in neutral will the change to 1st be quick enough?

 

[Elliott653]

Hmmm. I didn't have this problem with my CC and it was certainly not because I am a driving god. I always drove my car in manual with the sport button engaged.. Very rarely did I put the car in neutral at lights unless I knew that I would be stationary for some time. I don't remember wheel spinning away and the car certainly saw off any white vans with no bother.

What's the clutch wear on the car? How does the car feel when you pull away slowly? Juddery in low revs?

 

[CatmanV2]

Can't speak for Tony, but my clutch is pretty much brand new. Seeing as how it has improved over time I'm >99% positive it's me being a wuss causing issues. I know I adapt slowly to new vehicles from experience, so I'm not surprised it's taking me this long to adapt.

C

 

[2b1ask1]

Just be positive... Don't faf about crawling away, think about what is happening, it's an electronic clutch and gearbox not an auto so you don't have a fluid drive as with a torque converter, never sit in gear, select and go after allowing a good car length if you are not the front of the que. first gear and a good dose of loud pedal the clutch will thank you for being used as intended. Mine was done at 13 k and its now on 53 k! I also use auto in town, when lazy or knackered and so did the last guy who had it from 11k

 

[tonym3]

It's probably just me getting used to it however the clutch was last done around 30k ago so it could be this as well.

 

[conaero]

My Spyder was the same and has 73% wear so just thought it was this. Then I spent a couple of hour setting the clutch up with Mike where we ended up setting at 4.5, well below the recommended minimum.

The clutch feels like new now apart from the hoot when I pull away which is just a worn spigot bearing.

As Neewton says, leave a car length or 2 whilst queuing and give it plenty if right foot as this slams the clutch shut instead of feathering and thus wearing the friction plate.

 

[tonym3]

My Spyder was the same and has 73% wear so just thought it was this. Then I spent a couple of hour setting the clutch up with Mike where we ended up setting at 4.5, well below the recommended minimum.

The clutch feels like new now apart from the hoot when I pull away which is just a worn spigot bearing.

As Neewton says, leave a car length or 2 whilst queuing and give it plenty if right foot as this slams the clutch shut instead of feathering and thus wearing the friction plate.

Good advice I was wondering how feathering the pedal would effect the clutch. Would it need to be taken to a specialist for adjustment?

 

[conaero]

Yes it needs to be done on SD2/3/4. You can also reset the gearbox so it relearns which helps too.

 

[CatmanV2]

The only challenge I find with letting the clutch slam shut is my neck can't take the excitement

C

 

[Elliott653]

It's probably just me getting used to it however the clutch was last done around 30k ago so it could be this as well.

That's why I asked about any hint of juddering when you pull away in low revs. This could lead you to depress the accelerator more aggressively from rest which could give you wheel spin.

Maybe I AM a driving god?

 

[tonym3]

Elliot you must be a driving God!! Anyway I'm off in the wet to try pulling away quickly in a RWD super car that I'm not used to yet with my treasured 6 year old daughter in the back.

What could possibly go wrong!!!!!!

 

[2b1ask1]

Tony,

Grimaldi out at Castle Hedingham is our local specialist or Bill McGrath out towards Bishop Stortford both come highly recommended.

 

[tonym3]

I was thinking about a trip out to Grimaldi, it's a nice drive through the lanes from me.

My intention is for the rest off this month to get a service carried out, just basic stuff then have all the paint work sorted, then once March comes round I will book her in with a specialist to have a full check over and diagnostic.

Just got back from driving this morning in the wet and it appears I was being a little careful and a wimp!! I was much more positive on the accelerator pedal and found pulling away felt much better.