C.R. Krieger, Clutch Question

C.R. Krieger,

I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has
become apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to
figure out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual
transmission, but every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can
you give me some instruction on how to transistion from a stop without
putting too much wear on the clutch plates?

Rob

"432rew" > wrote in message
...
> C.R. Krieger,
>
> I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has become
> apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to figure
> out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual transmission, but
> every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can you give me some
> instruction on how to transistion from a stop without putting too much
> wear on the clutch plates?
>
> Rob

Sorry, my name is not Krieger.

Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until you get
the hang of it.
Don't put your left foot on the ground but use it free air.

Ronald

agreed, dont apply throttle while your about to release clutch pedal, the
faster the flywheel is turning the more wear will occur, so slowly lift
clutch and when you feel it "bite" gradually increase the engine speed while
smoothly and switly releasing the remaining clutch pedal travel.
never rest your foot on the pedal, this will increase wear not to mention
reduce the life of the release bearing.
the sooner the clutch is engaged the sooner the clutch will grind to a halt
against the flywheel and stop the wear process.
another good tip for long clutch life is dont change gear unless necessary
and always choose the appropriate gear for the conditions, EG: dont try and
negate a steep hill at slow speeds in 5th gear.
regards.
steve uk.

"R@L" > wrote in message
l...
>
> "432rew" > wrote in message
> ...
> > C.R. Krieger,
> >
> > I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has
become
> > apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to figure
> > out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual transmission, but
> > every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can you give me some
> > instruction on how to transistion from a stop without putting too much
> > wear on the clutch plates?
> >
> > Rob
>
> Sorry, my name is not Krieger.
>
> Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until you
get
> the hang of it.
> Don't put your left foot on the ground but use it free air.
>
> Ronald
>
>

Thanks gents, I'll try that...

anon wrote:
> agreed, dont apply throttle while your about to release clutch pedal, the
> faster the flywheel is turning the more wear will occur, so slowly lift
> clutch and when you feel it "bite" gradually increase the engine speed while
> smoothly and switly releasing the remaining clutch pedal travel.
> never rest your foot on the pedal, this will increase wear not to mention
> reduce the life of the release bearing.
> the sooner the clutch is engaged the sooner the clutch will grind to a halt
> against the flywheel and stop the wear process.
> another good tip for long clutch life is dont change gear unless necessary
> and always choose the appropriate gear for the conditions, EG: dont try and
> negate a steep hill at slow speeds in 5th gear.
> regards.
> steve uk.
>
> "R@L" > wrote in message
> l...
>
>>"432rew" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>C.R. Krieger,
>>>
>>>I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has
>
> become
>
>>>apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to figure
>>>out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual transmission, but
>>>every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can you give me some
>>>instruction on how to transistion from a stop without putting too much
>>>wear on the clutch plates?
>>>
>>>Rob
>>
>>Sorry, my name is not Krieger.
>>
>>Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until you
>
> get
>
>>the hang of it.
>>Don't put your left foot on the ground but use it free air.
>>
>>Ronald
>>
>>
>
>
>

R@L wrote:
> "432rew" > wrote in message
> ...
> > C.R. Krieger,
> >
> > I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has
become
> > apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to
figure
> > out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual transmission,
but
> > every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can you give me
some
> > instruction on how to transistion from a stop without putting too
much
> > wear on the clutch plates?
> >
> > Rob
>
> Sorry, my name is not Krieger.

Don't apologize. We can't *all* be Kriegers. Not even the 'Kruegers'
that *call* themselves Kriegers ...

> Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until
you get
> the hang of it.

That will usually involve significant slippage.

> Don't put your left foot on the ground but use it free air.

I'm not sure *what* that means.

Here's what I usually suggest:

Try to get your 'starting out' clutch engagement done in under a
second. Experiment with 'blipping' the throttle so there's a little
engine momentum when you release it. Getting the right amount for each
car is different, so you need to learn it for *your* car. Once you do,
you should be fine. Learn to be decisive about it, as well. Once you
start your movement up, make it smooth and continuous and then get your
foot off the pedal. If you stall or buck, remember that next time and
try a little more throttle application. It simply takes practice and
experience in *that particular car*.

Going between gears, try to get your clutch engagements done in less
than a half-second. That doesn't mean you need to *shift* in a half
second, just release the clutch pedal from fully depressed to fully
released in a half second.
--
C.R. Krieger
(A *real* Krieger)

"C.R. Krieger" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> R@L wrote:
>> "432rew" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > C.R. Krieger,
>> >
>> > I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has
> become
>> > apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to
> figure
>> > out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual transmission,
> but
>> > every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can you give me
> some
>> > instruction on how to transistion from a stop without putting too
> much
>> > wear on the clutch plates?
>> >
>> > Rob
>>
>> Sorry, my name is not Krieger.
>
> Don't apologize. We can't *all* be Kriegers. Not even the 'Kruegers'
> that *call* themselves Kriegers ...
>
>> Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until
> you get
>> the hang of it.
>
> That will usually involve significant slippage.
>
>> Don't put your left foot on the ground but use it free air.
>
> I'm not sure *what* that means.
>
> Here's what I usually suggest:
>
> Try to get your 'starting out' clutch engagement done in under a
> second. Experiment with 'blipping' the throttle so there's a little
> engine momentum when you release it. Getting the right amount for each
> car is different, so you need to learn it for *your* car. Once you do,
> you should be fine. Learn to be decisive about it, as well. Once you
> start your movement up, make it smooth and continuous and then get your
> foot off the pedal. If you stall or buck, remember that next time and
> try a little more throttle application. It simply takes practice and
> experience in *that particular car*.
>
> Going between gears, try to get your clutch engagements done in less
> than a half-second. That doesn't mean you need to *shift* in a half
> second, just release the clutch pedal from fully depressed to fully
> released in a half second.
> --
> C.R. Krieger
> (A *real* Krieger)

<snip>

Sorry...but am i the only one inhere which grew up using manual tran´s?
I had problems adjusting to my A4´s automatic...for crying out loud! *gg*
I thought manual transmissions were like...you know, THE most common.

And seeing Krieger asking how to use a clutch, is like asking how to
walk....the most natural thing of all ;-) (no pun intended...really!)

To be realistic: percent-wise...what is the most common way of shifting a
gear worldwide? Manual or automatic?


--
Gio

"C.R. Krieger" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> R@L wrote:
>> "432rew" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > C.R. Krieger,
>> >
>> > I have a question for you. From reading one of your posts, it has
> become
>> > apparent to me that I ride the clutch sometimes and would like to
> figure
>> > out how to get away from it. I'm not new to manual transmission,
> but
>> > every car I have had before my A4 has been old. Can you give me
> some
>> > instruction on how to transistion from a stop without putting too
> much
>> > wear on the clutch plates?
>> >
>> > Rob
>>
>> Sorry, my name is not Krieger.
>
> Don't apologize. We can't *all* be Kriegers. Not even the 'Kruegers'
> that *call* themselves Kriegers ...
>
>> Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until
> you get
>> the hang of it.
>
> That will usually involve significant slippage.

Not much, any car will roll when just releasing the clutch without using the
throttle.
It's meant to get the feel of it.

>
>> Don't put your left foot on the ground but use it free air.
>
> I'm not sure *what* that means.
>

Just move your foot on the clutch without resting it on the floor.

Ronald

On Fri, 4 Feb 2005 22:19:47 +0100, "R@L" > wrote:

>"C.R. Krieger" > wrote in message
roups.com...
>>> Try driving away without touching the gas pedal for some time until
>> you get
>>> the hang of it.
>>
>> That will usually involve significant slippage.
>
>Not much, any car will roll when just releasing the clutch without using the
>throttle.
>It's meant to get the feel of it.

This is how shifting gears is taught in motorcycle safety courses, and
very effectively, too.

"Gio" wrote
> To be realistic: percent-wise...what is the most common way of shifting a
> gear worldwide? Manual or automatic?

Worldwide I'm not sure, but in the US it's definitely automatic that's in
majority. Some car models aren't even available with a manual option, not
even if you pay extra. Most people learn how to drive and pass their
driving exams without ever learning what a clutch is and without ever seeing
one. Which is not bad, just different :-)

Cheers,

Pete

"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gio" wrote
>> To be realistic: percent-wise...what is the most common way of shifting a
>> gear worldwide? Manual or automatic?
>
> Worldwide I'm not sure, but in the US it's definitely automatic that's in
> majority. Some car models aren't even available with a manual option, not
> even if you pay extra. Most people learn how to drive and pass their
> driving exams without ever learning what a clutch is and without ever
> seeing one. Which is not bad, just different :-)

Hiya Pete....

Yeah, i know "Los Americanos" is born with automatic shifting per se, and
are having BIG problems when they visit europe. But here in europe, most
cars are manuals - but more and more auto-trannys are showing up. But i
think the reason for the manual popularity here, is that automatic is WAY
more expensive when you buy your new ride.
Hell....i´m back to manual again, after i sold my A4. And i MISS MY
TipTronic!!! *sigh*

--
H.a.n.d.
Gio