If clutch wear were not a concern?

[ClutchFork]

There has been a lot of discussion about rev matching as well as double clutching on this site. But let's say we are not all that concerned to get every last mile out of a clutch, and suppose we assume the syncros will do fine without double clutching (mine did for 300,000 miles on an '84 F150). Then how would you drive if you were not all that concerned about these factors? And let's say that you also are not all that concerned to squeeze every last MPG out of it either.

I would drive just as I do now. Sometimes rev matching for deeper downshifts and never double clutching. I would not try to (as one co-worker suggested you are supposed to do) drive my stick so that people think it is an automatic, but I would let it lurch a bit here and there as I please, not a lurch of a novice, but a lurch because it if fun to lurch on a good hard shift. I would also let that clutch slip a good deal off the line if I am trying to move out really fast.

Well the idea is, let's not take the fun out of it just to try to conserve the clutch (or syncros). I know, some of you find obsessive rev matching fun as others do double clutching. Some will shift without the clutch too. That is fine if you don't grind and it is what you please to do.

Anyone here desire sometimes to "drive it like you stole it"? That can be really fun, but not what I plan to do unless just before dropping my vehicle off at the junk yard anyway.

[six]

Haha, I would drive it like I do now, which is pretty close to being "like I stole it" anyway

I do rev-match though, not because I'm concerned about clutch-wear, but because I don't like clutch-braking.

[tankinbeans]

I would do lots of hard shifts and 5k rpm clutch dumps. I've never done one and think it would be fun.

I already run it up the rev range during shifts because I don't have the patience to obsess over mileage when getting to speed. I would also go to a track day, not trying to race, to wring it out. I'd be curious to see what that would like. The last piece being contingent upon me knowing the fastest I can be in any gear without over-powering the rev-limiter and blowing up the engine during a downshift.

[Rope-Pusher]

I'm not saving any of mine for the next owner, but on the other hand, I wouldn't call my driving abusive. Speed doesn't thrill me anymore - and Jeeps aren't exactly known for their high-speed handling. I'll run it up to the redline, but prolly not even once a month. There's no reason for me to shave those last tenths of a second or so off my time to speed. I'm not pokey - my impatience and not wanting to be a rolling roadblock keep me 5 or 10 mph above the speed limits on roads and freeway ramps, but I don't do exits and entrances at Canadian speeds anymore (~9/5 what the sign says and add 32) like I used to do in my Charger, my Neon or my GLH.

[Shadow]

I'd change nothing. I don't do those things to save clutch wear. I do them because I can....and because it's fun...and because it's a smoother way to drive a manual transmission vehicle. It really has nothing to do with prolonging the life of the clutch, although that is a bonus.

[theholycow]

When I had the leased 2008 VW, my shifting/clutching/rev-matching was a picture of precision, despite the awful drive-by-wire throttle. I was horrifically worried about the clutch in that car, how expensive it would be to replace if it needed replacement before the lease was up.

For my 1980 Buick I have an extra clutch disc and the whole thing is very easy and cheap to do. I fit the exact hypothetical situation you describe, I really don't give a damn about clutch wear. Due to the way the car works I need to slip it a little more on launching so my launches are a little sloppy, but the better throttle and clutch combined with a transmission that rewards me more for double-clutching means my double-clutching, rev-matching, and heel-toe are better than ever.

If I wasn't doing that stuff, I think I'd be almost as bored as driving a slushbox.

[Tups]

I don't bother double-clutching in a modern car. However, even if clutch wear was not an issue, I'd continue rev-matching. I like it.

[daleadbull]

InlinePaul, I can't believe you are not into rev matching. To me, its one of the most fun things about driving a manual. I used to think its a lot of work, but if you get good at it, its faster than upshifting.

[ClutchFork]

InlinePaul, I can't believe you are not into rev matching.

Never heard of it, never thought of it, but as I stated in a different thread, I was doing it for deep downshifts as it seems natural in that case if you want to downshift to accelerate, you don't want to be clutch/engine braking in that situation.

To me, its one of the most fun things about driving a manual. I used to think its a lot of work, but if you get good at it, its faster than upshifting.

I have been trying it at times on milder downshifts and it is nice, but I still don't know that it is necessary except for deeper downshifts.

..its faster than upshifting

Now this part I don't understand. While I haven't tried actively rev matching an upshift, it seems that rev matching or not, you still have to shift? Or are you talking about such precise rev matching that you can upshift without disengaging the clutch?

[daleadbull]

Never heard of it, never thought of it, but as I stated in a different thread, I was doing it for deep downshifts as it seems natural in that case if you want to downshift to accelerate, you don't want to be clutch/engine braking in that situation.

Even if you are trying to use the engine braking, its just smoother to rev match. Just rev match into the lower gear, then take your foot off the gas to let engine braking do its job.

I have been trying it at times on milder downshifts and it is nice, but I still don't know that it is necessary except for deeper downshifts.

It probably isn't necessary but its just much smoother and easier on the clutch. Plus you can complete the shift faster, just blip to the right rpm and dump the clutch instead of having to release the clutch slowly to smooth out an "un rev-matched" shift.

Now this part I don't understand. While I haven't tried actively rev matching an upshift, it seems that rev matching or not, you still have to shift? Or are you talking about such precise rev matching that you can upshift without disengaging the clutch?

I'm talking about the actual time it takes to complete a smooth upshift vs a smooth downshift. On upshifts, in order to get it smooth you are simply at the mercy of your rev hang or how fast your revs drop. On single clutch rev matched downshifts, you can pretty much do them as fast as you can move your arms and legs.

[ClutchFork]

I see. All good points. It may take some time, but I do find my self wanting to rev match more and thinking about it as I do it. Thanks

[AHTOXA]

I'd change nothing about my driving style. I am not worried about clutch wear at all, even with occasional hard shifts and launches. There's no reason for me to drive the piss out of the car all the time, whether I care about clutch wear or not. If I beat on it all the time, I'm sure I'd have other component failures before the clutch went.

[bk7794]

Would we be concerned about engine life as well?

[ClutchFork]

Would we be concerned about engine life as well?

I guess it can be whichever way you prefer. I think that so long as you warm it up before getting crazy, and don't exceed redline or run 100 miles at 5000 rpm, engine life should not be a problem. But give us your scenario.

[bk7794]

Ah well if engine life wasn't a concern I'd definitely do more WOT runs. Definitely fun to do every now and then but the more you do it the more addicting it can become. Though I definitely would not change any way that I drive. I enjoy doing my rev match downshifts. Makes the engine sound and feel smoother.

I also do not double clutch and I only just started doing so in my 91. I only do it when I shift into 4th because it's starting to feel scratchy.