Does clutch wear more when used when car started?

[brypie]

Alright Guys and Girls

OK, so maybe this question is just about Mk4 Ibizas, but, seing as it is what I have, I figured this would be a good place to start asking questions.

After speaking to one of the engineers about cars in general at work today, he said something to me, but wasn't able to give me an explanation at the time because he had to go out on plant and investigate something, and I've not got round to asking him again. Was just wondering if anyone could enlighten me a little?

Apparently, if you start your car with your clutch down, it does the clutch no world of good? And according to a mate of mine who could offer no explanation for this, the same is true if your coasting (driving down a hill say, or rather rolling, with the clutch down)?

How much truth is there in these two statements, and also WHY does it damage the clutch if it is true?

An explanation (and a good one ) Is all I need to convince me...

Any ideas or explanations are very much appreciated.

Bryan

 

[Danneh]

In general, it only adds extra wear to the clutch bearing. If you were to press the clutch in and out more than you need - the more it wears on the internals of the clutch, mainly the bearing. To be honest, in normal use, such as starting a car with clutch in, it does not have an affect at all in real world speak.

Pobably not the best explanation.. but others could probably do better

 

[brypie]

In general, it only adds extra wear to the clutch bearing. If you were to press the clutch in and out more than you need - the more it wears on the internals of the clutch, mainly the bearing. To be honest, in normal use, such as starting a car with clutch in, it does not have an affect at all in real world speak.

Pobably not the best explanation.. but others could probably do better

Well, this is what I thought, because to me that would just be the wear life of the clutch. i.e. general wear and tear. Surely its nothing worth worrying about at all, but he insits that you should always start the car with the cluth up. I shall have to have words with him and get him to back himself up. Maybe he will convince me....

 

[DPJ]

I think this is nonsense.

Starting the car with the clutch engaged means there is less load on the engine as the transmission is disengaged.

Yes, the release bearing is in action but I can't see how it really increases the wear on it dramatically. No other part is going to get wear.

I've been starting cars with the clutch engaged all my life.

 

[Danneh]

I think this is nonsense.

Starting the car with the clutch engaged means there is less load on the engine as the transmission is disengaged.

Yes, the release bearing is in action but I can't see how it really increases the wear on it dramatically. No other part is going to get wear.

I've been starting cars with the clutch engaged all my life.

My thaughts exactly. Some people are just anal.

 

[Fl@pper]

starting with clutch in you have the bearing pressed against the pressure plate

starting clutch out the mainshaft is spinning but not in gear so friction plate in action

the difference in accelerated wear is pretty much minute and horses for courses really as the bearing starts spinning and takes a lot more grief when you change gear XXXXX amount of times every mile


one disadvantage i can see is body damage when you shoot forward after forgetting you left it in gear

 

[brypie]

My thaughts exactly. Some people are just anal.

To be fair, yes he is! He's the one at work who insists that the majority of the jobs we do are done to tolerances of 0.001" when 0.010" would do the job!

 

[Fl@pper]

To be fair, yes he is! He's the one at work who insists that the majority of the jobs we do are done to tolerances of 0.001" when 0.010" would do the job!

the next time you land in spain on a plane you'll be glad of guys like that

 

[brypie]

the next time you land in spain on a plane you'll be glad of guys like that

Yes, but then thats more than understandable... But, when you're trying to fix something that really needs throwing in the skip, then theres no point... Besides, they always seem to work just as well when we tell him what he wants to hear

 

[Danneh]

So, any point in changing normal habit of clutch in when starting?

NO.

Will I notice in real world terms.

CERTAINLY NOT.