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Does it hurt anything?
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Tx
Does it hurt anything?
I've been given lot's of opinions on this but I cant seem to get a definative answer if it is bad for the tranny, or clutch, to shift from a gear to neutral without using the clutch? I'm talking low rpm changes.
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From: Bergerac Dordogne
I'm a Brit, so just about all I have ever driven are manual gearbox vehicles. I have done some racing.
Heres my 0.02 for what it's worth.
You are not likely to cause much damage doing this. Possibly a bit of additional selector wear but that's all. The clutch won't be bothered even slightly.
Wanna try something a bit more radical?
It is really fast (when you can get it right) to upshift without the clutch, and it is even possible by 'rev matching' to downshift without using the clutch - definitely would not recommend this unless your clutch is failing and you need to get home, or you're some kind of driving genius!
However, I presume you are not racing, and Chevrolet have very considerately provided a perfectly usable clutch to make life for both you and the gearbox easier and safer, so why not just use it? I know I do.
Well, mostly.
Heres my 0.02 for what it's worth.
You are not likely to cause much damage doing this. Possibly a bit of additional selector wear but that's all. The clutch won't be bothered even slightly.
Wanna try something a bit more radical?
It is really fast (when you can get it right) to upshift without the clutch, and it is even possible by 'rev matching' to downshift without using the clutch - definitely would not recommend this unless your clutch is failing and you need to get home, or you're some kind of driving genius!
However, I presume you are not racing, and Chevrolet have very considerately provided a perfectly usable clutch to make life for both you and the gearbox easier and safer, so why not just use it? I know I do.
Well, mostly.
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I haven't heard that this will damage anything. I sometimes do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Henderson Nevada
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I haven't heard that this will damage anything. I sometimes do it.
Within limits, I agree. Low RPM and taking the car out of gear is unlikely to hurt anything. However, as difficult as clutch replacement is, why do anything that MIGHT damage it?
I mean, in the olden days, I did my share of power shifting (no clutch, under full power), but I could replace a clutch disc on a Saturday for about $50 worth of parts. Syncros could take a whole weekend, but just a few bucks in parts. With a C5, though, you have to take out a lot of stuff to do the work. What do you gain by not pushing in the clutch?
Just my $.02...
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Iowa
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Originally Posted by neverfastenough
I've been given lot's of opinions on this but I cant seem to get a definative answer if it is bad for the tranny, or clutch, to shift from a gear to neutral without using the clutch? I'm talking low rpm changes.
I've been doing that ever since I had my 66 Malibu SS with the old "rock-crusher" Muncie 4 speed and never had a problem over the next umpteen years of driving a stick.
Sliding it out of gear does nothing to the tranny and nothing to the clutch...unless there is a definite pressure on the shifter itself and you can feel it resisting your efforts to pull it out of gear. Then, and only then, could you possibly run the risk of nicking a tooth on the gear.
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From: Tx
Thanks for the help guys, I'm always amazed by the depth of knowledge and experience on this forum. Magikdraggin, you must have loved that old SS you had. I remember as a kid being at a repair shop with my dad and a guy brought by a new 66/4spd/Chevelle to show his friends and I could not quit staring at it and wondering what it was like to actually ride in it. Maybe Dad knew what I was thinking cuz he let me scoot over next to him on the way home and help steer the car. Good memories.
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Burning Brakes
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From: IN
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Originally Posted by Cochemarman
It is really fast (when you can get it right) to upshift without the clutch, and it is even possible by 'rev matching' to downshift without using the clutch - definitely would not recommend this unless your clutch is failing and you need to get home, or you're some kind of driving genius!
