What I am suggesting is that everyone (at least that I know) rides the clutch a little from time to time with traditional manuals, especially on inclines or in traffic. "Degradation" or more properly described as wear in my words is natural with any mechanism being worked. I have never experienced any clutch "degradation" with traditional manuals, including cars that I have driven over 100K miles. Seems highly unlikely that a properly engineered and fabricated BMW SMG clutch could be degraded to the point where it needs replacement in 300 miles of mostly highway and back road driving. Even with some riding of the clutch.

 

Well I guess that's why we don't know each other. The last time I rode a clutch in traffic or on an incline was when I was learning how to drive one (a long time ago.) Once I burned the clutch out, I learned how never to do it again.

Another thing that I learned not to do is keep the car in gear with the clutch pedal depressed for long periods of time (like at red lights, etc.) It's better for some sort of bearing in the clutch assembly to not do this. Instead, you should move the gear shift into manual and release the clutch pedal until the light turns green. Because of the proliferation of manual transmissions in Europe, I think this is one of the main reasons why traffic lights over there show both red and yellow before turning green. It gives the driver just enough time to put the car into gear before rolling off.

I'm actually wondering about premature bearing wear with the SMG because at a traffic light or sitting still in 'D', the clutch is disengaged the whole time -- exactly like what I was taught not to do...

 

Well I guess that's why we don't know each other. The last time I rode a clutch in traffic or on an incline was when I was learning how to drive one (a long time ago.) Once I burned the clutch out, I learned how never to do it again.

Another thing that I learned not to do is keep the car in gear with the clutch pedal depressed for long periods of time (like at red lights, etc.) It's better for some sort of bearing in the clutch assembly to not do this. Instead, you should move the gear shift into manual and release the clutch pedal until the light turns green. Because of the proliferation of manual transmissions in Europe, I think this is one of the main reasons why traffic lights over there show both red and yellow before turning green. It gives the driver just enough time to put the car into gear before rolling off.

I'm actually wondering about premature bearing wear with the SMG because at a traffic light or sitting still in 'D', the clutch is disengaged the whole time -- exactly like what I was taught not to do...

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Do you mean move the gear shift into neutral instead of engaging the clutch for long periods of time? If so, do you do that a lot while not in D with the SMG in traffic, sounds like the results would be "jerky" and cumbersome? Good point while in D in traffic, I only used the D mode once and found it unsatisfactory, at least for non-traffic driving.

 

On the SMG, I don't move the gear selector (even though it might help cut down on wear). I was only referring to a traditional manual.

I'm not worried about any normal wear issues with the SMG since I won't have the car past the warranty...

 

I was taught the same, use the clutch when you want to move the car and no other time. In fact, I typically don't use the clutch to take it out of gear and go to neutral...space allowing I just bring the revs up to the speed the syncros are so close the shifter pulls out of gear effortlessly.

In fact, in fact, my father always told me not to even ride my hand on the shifter as it pressed on what I assumed were the older gear boxes moving parts...not so sure that's necessary anymore but he was old school....

 

That's another one I remember now. You're right, it may not be as important these days but I don't know enough about these things to have any way of knowing -- better safe than sorry, I guess...

 

how did you drive? did you drive it like a automatic. i.e. give a little gas to hold the car in place?

If that is the case, you are the one that is causing the clutch to over heat. Because you are riding the clutch.

The transmission is fine. You simply did not drive it correctly in manual mode.

Use the brake to hold the car in position, do not use gas to constant riding the clutch. This is a manual car, should be driven like a manual in manual mode.

 

It just amazes me how many people can spend $60,000 on a car and not bother to read the manual. Don't blame the car...you broke it, now be a man and pay the bill.

 

It just amazes me how many people can spend $60,000 on a car and not bother to read the manual. Don't blame the car...you broke it, now be a man and pay the bill.
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So your amazed, and apparantly full of it.

 

It just amazes me how many people can spend $60,000 on a car and not bother to read the manual. Don't blame the car...you broke it, now be a man and pay the bill.
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So your amazed, and apparantly full of it.
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Just what I thought...won't take responsibility...that combined with your lack of grammar and spelling...lemme guess, Daddy bought you the car? Shame on Daddy for not teaching you how to drive!