Moving off With No Throttle, Bad?

Griffo · 20 Sep 2008 at 18:34

Evening,

I've been thinking about this on-and-off the last few times I've been sitting on the M4 crying to myself as the traffic stops and starts like something that stops and starts.

When we move off, I'll often just start her moving with no throttle, just clutch up slow enough so it doesn't stall. Now, just thinking now I have two thoughts (related to this topic):

1/ clutch may be used for longer to avoid stalling = wear
2/ less revs to bring it up to, so less wear

Anyway, that's my rudimentary understanding of it and I would welcome others opinions.

Glaucus · 20 Sep 2008 at 18:39

I have never destroyed a modern clutch and I use it as hill brake and at junctions, also as you say in traffic jams.

Griffo · 20 Sep 2008 at 18:44

AcidHell2 said:
I have never destroyed a modern clutch and I use it as hill brake and at junctions, also as you say in traffic jams.

I forgot to mention I also use it to cook my dinner

NathanE · 20 Sep 2008 at 18:46

Good for clutch, not so good for the engine - depends how much juddering you get (if any)

jamoor · 20 Sep 2008 at 18:52

get an auto.

Griffo · 20 Sep 2008 at 18:57

NathanE said:
Good for clutch, not so good for the engine - depends how much juddering you get (if any)

I ensure I get none.

jamoor said:
get an auto.

Ok! (Slightly more serious, I won't be driving to work for more than 3 months, after which I'll likely be on the dirty underground again. And that's not a euphemism

)

Defcon5 · 20 Sep 2008 at 19:17

NathanE said:
Good for clutch, not so good for the engine - depends how much juddering you get (if any)

what damage can it do engine wise? My clutch judders a lot,but Ive just learnt to live with it, just means more revs when pulling away. Should I be getting it sorted asap?

NathanE · 20 Sep 2008 at 19:26

^ Nah wouldn't think so. I meant the more severe type of juddering where the engine is borderline stalling..

If I try pulling away in my car with no throttle it's easy to stall if you aren't really paying attention.

I guess its all about how much torque the engine makes at idle RPM.

BigglesPiP · 20 Sep 2008 at 19:44

I do this in traffic jams on the motorway, just drive with the clutch and gearbox.

Scania · 20 Sep 2008 at 20:24

NathanE said:
I guess its all about how much torque the engine makes at idle RPM.

torque has a lot to do with it, my Mondeo TD hates pulling away @ tickover , my Scania HGV has no such problems - tbh it probably develops 300nm+ @ tickover (I'll have to find out!)

I do this all the time, even @ idle, my truck will happily pull away on tickover (even on a slight hill), not bad when your pulling 28tons (44t gross) :cool:

Scania advise me that this is far better for the clutch than pulling away with revs, its very easy to smoke an HGV's clutch, even with a semi-auto gearbox setup.