Is this ok, or will it kill my gearbox...?

[HMSPresident]

Ok, so whilst sat in traffic today, I discovered that my TDi FR can roll along at a comfortable 10mph in second gear, if I leave all the pedals alone...

I'm not too mechanical, but I guess it's the torque of the engine keeping it from stalling?

My question is, is this safe?? I'm not riding the clutch or anything, and it doesn't sound like the engine is struggling... I'm just wondering if it will damage the gearbox/clutch/engine?

Good thing is, the OBC says i'm getting 45-50mpg... Much better than when I try using the accelerator and then braking...

 

[m0rk]

it's the flywheel keeping it going

 

[paul h]

just about every car will do it in second gear

 

[HMSPresident]

I was mainly surprised at how easily it pulled away like that, just like being in an automatic.

Its not going to do any damage then?

 

[m0rk]

it will hurt the clutch if you do loaded full throttle from low rpm

 

[Cupramax]

This phenomenon is partly due to the fuel injection/ECU detecting the extra load and compensating keeping the car at its normal idle speed rather than slowing and stalling. Cant see how it could do any harm other than if you let the engine labour going up hill but on the flat its fine.

 

[Brummy]

i do it quite often in my works van. but then, if it goes 'belly up' im not gonna pay for it, am i???

 

[Reg]

You're not doing any harm to the drivetrain, unless you are slipping the clutch excessively to pull away in second, but once rolling and the clutch is fully engaged, everything is relaxed and happy!

 

[djrichard]

You can go through the gears from 1st to 4th without using the accelerator at all. My car will happily get to 35mph and it actually pulls quite strongly too. If I do come across an incline the car increases the engine revs automatically to keep it moving. The engine does not labour at all.

 

[Pabs]

i've wondered about this but i know now - ta

 

[cordobabrendy]

you can let the car idle its way up hills, the ecu detects lad and allows for it, its like a grandpas cruise control.