After reading up on the clutch problems experienced in the S, i'm beginning to wonder if I need to change my driving a bit. I tend to ride the clutch when in heavy traffic or going over speed bumps (mostly in 1st when stop and go) and when in reverse. How much damage am I doing? How do you handle heavy traffic and what are some tips on extending the life of my clutch? Thanks.

 

Generally, you should avoid riding the clutch as much as you can. You can't avoid it all the time, but you should be aware of what RPM you are at when you are riding the clutch. Depending on how high your RPMs are will probably determine how fast you go thru a clutch... though, I wouldn't consider it damaging rather than increased wear.

Here is a tip for increasing clutch life in traffic:
This best thing to do in heavy traffic is to provide enough space between yourself and the car in front of you. That way you can keep it in first gear most of the time and modulate your speed with the gas pedal. (you'll see truckers using this tactic in heavy traffic)

Don't worry about people cutting in front of you and the people behind you. The people behind you will hopefully appreciate the fact that you are going a constant speed instead of starting and stopping every few seconds.

Just let the traffic in front of you bunch up and by the time you get behind the first stopped car it should start moving again so you don't have to stop. Just control your speed so the traffic in front of you starts moving by the time you get there.

You'll find yourself shifting less and enjoying more of the drive.

 

 

as long as you rev-match(when downshifting), it should be ok.
















btw. driving a convertible makes person go bald fast?.. I see lots of bald guys in convertibles....

 

You could also put it into Neutral after you get the car moving. It coasts a lot farther than in gear. Not the safest method, but it usually works quite well.

 

Obviously, you've never driven in Dallas. If you are driving in traffic and leave more than 1 car length in front of you, somebody is going to fill it. Then you'll just have to brake early, anyway.
Your advice is good advice, I just don't think it would ever work here.

 

True... never driven in Dallas! Do you have a lot of exits on the freeways in a short distance? Why is there pressure to fill spots and make lane changes?

In the Seattle area, I can get away with some room between cars without worrying too much with people cutting in all the time.

 

why isnt this safe?

 

Same thing in NJ and Philly area. You leave a gap bigger than your car, and there'll be another car in it pretty soon.
No gaps allowed during rush hour, it just annoys the crap out of the people behind you.
Maybe you can get away with it if you're not in the left lane...

 

I usually stay out of the left lane anyway. In Seattle, that lane tends to be the slowest lane... the far right has been the fastest and the most clear from what I have experienced. It's weird, but people over here are notorious for cruising in the left and hanging out in the center lanes.

In response to annoying people behind me when I leave a small gap in front of me on the highway: It's all in the head... people who get annoyed with freeway gaps are the same people who rush from stop light to stop light, and have to do anything they can to get around that very last car before they exit off the freeway. Now that doesn't make sense.

The people behind me may get annoyed with my highway habit, but hey, they don't realize I am doing them a favor. The 10-20 cars behind me will have constant momentum and don't have to use their brakes/clutch for the duration of the time. Why do you think they put stop and go lights on freeway on-ramps? To create space!

It will be driver utopia if everyone in rush hour traffic can give each other two car spaces. The traffic flow would be much better. But, that is only a wish.

I am not on any campaign to change people's driving habits, but I believe I have a better understanding on how to live with traffic and how to manage it while not getting my panties in a bunch. Believe me, I enjoy driving much better now that I don't give a damn on making up time... and I can actually use other people's predictable driving habits to my advantage.

The fundamental point is: when there is heavy traffic, speeding, constant lane changing, and trying to get around a car before you have to make a turn will not save you time! Seriously, it won't matter if you get a few seconds or a minute. By the time the speeder gets home and turns on the TV I will be pulling up before the speeder can even turn the channel. And I will be a much happier person because I didn't piss off a hundred people.

But hey, to each its own... I don't mind anyone speeding or doing anything they can to get around someone. I can use those habits to my advantage.




Sorry for the thread highjack, BigC. Hope some of this will allievate your anxiety regarding clutch damage.