the slip: shifting without using the clutch

[vacationtime247]

Had a 250 cubic inch '70 C-10 manual. Getting that '3 on the tree' manual column to shift was hard enough using the clutch. 2nd to 3rd would work without the clutch but 1st to 2nd, forget it. Truck was about as bare bones as they get. Drum brakes, manual shift, no radio, 3 speed on the column, manual windows and door locks.

Don't use the clutch in my 5 spd diesel truck. Use a 2-4 skip shift for upshifts no clutch. Seems to slide in 4th gear easy. For the RX7 it's 1 to 3 without the clutch then to 4th or 5th depending on the speed limit. Still use the clutch with the cycle but it's still new. Need to get a feel for it first.
VT247

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

I've driven every stick shift vehicle I've been in without the clutch, and except for a 67 Chevy C-10, none of them complained.

[ShadeTreeMech]

What proof is there that properly shifting without the clutch increases wear on the transmission? I've yet to talk to anyone that said he used to shift without a clutch, but then it wore out his transmission, so he stopped doing it.

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

What proof is there that properly shifting without the clutch increases wear on the transmission?

Its not when you do it properly. Its when you screw up which is bound to happen.

[zonker]

Originally Posted by ConnClark

Its not when you do it properly. Its when you screw up which is bound to happen.

Bingo... kinda like doing a DFCO in neutral and losing vacuum on your power brakes, then plowing thru an intersection on a red light. Almost did that a couple times. Next car I DFCO in neutral will be designed for it (no vacuum booster, disabled steering wheel lock mechanism).

IMO, until you've truly foolproofed it, some things are just best not doing since the potential risks are greater than the benefits.

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by zonker

disabled steering wheel lock mechanism

I've been wondering why the steering wheel locks. Is that difficult to disable?

[ShadeTreeMech]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

I've been wondering why the steering wheel locks. Is that difficult to disable?

It's real simple.

Don't turn the key to the locked position.

Between locked and on is a position that keep the wheel unlocked, and only turns off the electrics. So go to that one.

Its not when you do it properly. Its when you screw up which is bound to happen.

I agree. I'd certainly recommend practicing this on a beater. And I wouldn't recommend this for people who have no interest in mechanics and could care less for where the revs are likely to be close to for a certain gear at a certain speed. But then again, such people are likely to be uninterested in a stick shift to begin with.

[zonker]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

I've been wondering why the steering wheel locks. Is that difficult to disable?

the mechanisms are in the steering column and, depending on the car, dictates the level of complication one must go through to disable it.

[Varn]

I don't use the clutch when upshifting my motorcycles. It is very smooth and faster than using it. I use the clutch for downshifting generally. I have shifted my manual shift cars without the clutch but I think it is generally less smooth.

I would like to have a double clutch manual shift transmission although I have never tried one.

[justjohn]

Learned to slip shift today. Tried to be gentle, little bit of clunking here and there. Fifth seems to be hardest to get into. It was the only gear I ever got any screeching from. As soon as I hear that I back off and use the clutch. It was also the only gear I wasn't able to get into perfectly smooth.

Any tips? Am I more likely having timing problems or do I need to get in just the right spot side-to-side with the shifter or something?

[p38fln]

I asked one of the diesel mechanics here about it -
If you shift properly, there's not one tiny bit of difference using the clutch vs not using the clutch for fuel economy. note this is on big rigs, where to downshift you have to rev the engine up in neutral even when using the clutch - and rolling in neutral is a good way to get yourself killed in a big rig, so that question never came up, although the trucker term for it is Georgia Overdrive or sometimes Mexican overdrive. Gotta be on some serious medication to try that...(in a semi)

he went on to say that while you could make a case that you were causing less wear and tear on the clutch, that one shift you miss will cause 100 times the wear that a lifetime of using the clutch would cause.


I do not know if this part applies to cars - he also gave me a very strong warning against rolling down a hill in gear with the clutch depressed. He told me that due to the multiple reductions involved and no pressure on the clutch, it can actually cause the clutch to explode and send shrapnel through the cab of the truck

I'll admit to being quite guilty of not using the clutch when shifting especially in the low range gears Dont tell anyone. lol