C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe
View Poll Results: Do you use the clutch when shifting out of a gear?
Yes
20
86.96%
No
3
13.04%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

Those with manual tranny's...

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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 12:08 PM
  #1  
tifosiv122's Avatar
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Those with manual tranny's...

Do you depress the clutch when shifting out of a gear?

There is some difference of opinion, and I am just curious what most people here do.

Erik
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 02:19 PM
  #2  
Mike T.'s Avatar
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2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
bad practise

Unless you pull the lever into neutral when the gears are not under drive or over-run forces, you'll risk chipping a gear tooth or two.

Use the clutch if you like your car ..........and understand how a manual gearbox works.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 03:46 PM
  #3  
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Re: bad practise

Originally posted by Mike T.
Unless you pull the lever into neutral when the gears are not under drive or over-run forces, you'll risk chipping a gear tooth or two.

Use the clutch if you like your car ..........and understand how a manual gearbox works.
I agree. I use my clutch all the time, but there are those who say you are putting undue stress on the clutch...others say to rev the engine slightly before shifting (without the aid of a clutch). I was curious what other people on this board did.

Erik
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 04:54 PM
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2002 C240 6 spd manual
I use my clutch all the time too......have never heard of pulling it out of gear without using the clutch....

Clutches are wear items and will need to replaced periodically - the gears in the transmission are much more expensive to replace - why risk it?
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 05:24 PM
  #5  
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I know its quicker not to use the clutch...and I know plenty of people who drive without using the clutch at all (except 1st gear).

Erik
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:03 PM
  #6  
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C230
If you want to shift without a clutch, you have to rev-match perfectly in order not to damage the gearbox. Personally I always used the clutch whenver I shifted. I have a friend with an ITR who can drive it without touching the clutch but I he still opts to use the clutch because it requires less precision/concentration.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 06:53 PM
  #7  
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clutch linings

Originally posted by TXTiger
Clutches are wear items and will need to replaced periodically - the gears in the transmission are much more expensive to replace - why risk it?
Good point, but I thought I'd just remind everyone that "periodically" may be more or less frequent, depending upon the mechanical sympathy the driver demonstrates.

For example, my 1989 Peugeot's clutch is all original.......at about 200,000 miles. I double declutch on downshifts and drive in mixed city/highway conditions.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 09:03 PM
  #8  
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05 CLK 500 cab
Originally posted by TXTiger
I Clutches are wear items
Have a friend with a Golf with 320,000 km on the original clutch. I haven't replaced a clutch in years and have never had one go bad.
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Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:32 PM
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I use the clutch when shifting between gears....but when slowing to a stop, I slip the trans out of gear without the clutch (as the car comes to a complete stop)...so I'm the 'no'...as in...not always... in your survey.
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