Maxx Mazda

Well, not shifting, really, but taking it out of gear without using the clutch. I do it fast enough that it just comes out of gear, and doesn't grind or anything like that. It all sounds and feels normal. Sometimes I just don't feel like pushing the clutch in to take it outta gear. You know, those early mornings, heading to work with about 5 hours of sleep under your belt. Simply put, will this hurt my tranny, or am I ok? Thanks!

TheProbeKid

Yes, any kind of clutchless shifting (up, down, in, out) will cause damage and shorten tranny life. Always depress the clutch when changing gears or taking the car out of gear.

TheProbeKid

Pulling your car out of gear without pressing the clutch is NOT rev matching. I agree that rev matching will increase clutch life, but that's just not the same.

rodslinger

[Buzzer sound].... Incorrect contestant #1. You can shift without using the clutch and suffer no ill effects on the transmission. This includes upshifting, downshifting or just coming out of gear. Damage is done by someone that doesn't know what the hell they are doing. If you match revs it will slide right in. Don't force it. If you force it and don't have the revs matched, then you can cause damage.

mito7878

Why even ask this? Just hit the clutch. Thats what its there for. If you choose to rev match then go for it but why try and pull it out of gear without hitting the clutch. Does this add 15 hp?

Mxyzptlk

Sometimes when Im driving in 3rd and come to a stop ahead. I just drop into neutral without hitting clutch. I usually don't have any problems.

rodslinger

Nope but it sure makes things smoother during an autocross. Much easier and faster to do blip throttle downshifts coming into a turn under hard braking.

Brubeck

Just keep in mind that coasting is illegal, and if you car is in Neutral and you are moving even the slightest, that's considered coasting. In theory, you should have to put your clutch in to take the car out of gear because by law, the very next thing you do is put it into another gear.

I agree with rodslinger only based on the fact that if your car is at a complete standstill with the engine OFF, you can slide in and out of gear without the clutch without a problem. (Think of this as an extreme case where both parts are moving the same speed or "rev matching")

JJB

other than any legal issues that might arise...

If the tranmission speed matches that of the drive-shaft such that the gears align correctly you do not need a clutch... the reason for the clutch is so that you can get the gears to do exactly that.

If you are sufficiently skilled and careful you can drive without using the clutch at all (w/ the exception of first gear). Ask people whom drive big trucks for a living. Many of them do not use the clutch for up-shifts and many down-shifts, they just carefully match the engine speed to the tranny speed.

You are not going to hurt anything (IMO) if you are taking it out of gear and it is going smoothly. If you are having to pull harder than just very light pressure, or you hear any kind of light clunking sound, then it would be a good idea to use the clutch.

RebelRacing

Becareful when talking about trucks vs. cars... Transport trucks are a totally different breed.
1.They don't have syncros (they would just wear out) so a semi driver can double clutch and rev-match without the ill effects.
2.A transport also has a clutch cone (input bearing) as big as my ,and any trucking company will fire you for not using the clutch...if they find cone wear!
3. A rig also runs at a much lower RPM compared to a car, most diesels (Cummins, CATs, Detroits etc.) redline at 3500 RPM. Try yer f**ckin' rev-matchin at 6-grand, and tell me if the hole tranny hits the ground or not . I wouldn't advise it, 'cause I'd hate to see ya pissed when the tranny goes soup!

David

This might sound like I'm shitting on you but I'm not. Learn to drive. If your slowing down then you down shift. Even if you leave the clutch in, go through the gears. If some thing happened and you had to hit the gas you would be screwed. Just work your way through the gears. 4th, then 3rd, then 2nd. and after you come to a stop 1st. It’s not hard. Also get your left foot off the clutch petal when you’re not shifting. sorry that my girl friend that I was telling that to.

mito7878

And also dont keep your hand on the shifter. This causes premature tranny failure. It places pressure on the dog teeth in the tranny and eventually you wont be able to keep it in gear.

Traveler

Having driven semis for many a year, I can probably clear this up somewhat. First off, yes, you can rev match and get your tranny to shift without a clutch. If you aren't good at it, you WILL destroy synchros.

Big rigs don't rev past 2100 RPM now. That is redline on most manufacturers engines and that's where the fuel cutoff is. Years ago some 2 cycle diesels went as high as 3500 RPM but those are no more. They can't even come close to meeting diesel emissions regs now.

Also, there are synchronized big rig trannies out there. Just not many. Volvo made them mainly but there are a couple others. Neat idea, but the new electronic shifting trannies are better. They match engine RPM to ground speed and you either just move the stick or they actually shift automatically. They are still manual transmissions but they are automated.

I've shifted cars without the clutch before but I wouldn't recommend it unless your clutch is dying and you're just trying to get home. It's there for a reason. The trick is to 'break torque' just before you pull the tranny out of gear. If you are going a steady speed, let off on the throttle a little as you move the stick. If you are decelerating, give it just a slight amount of gas as you pull it out of gear. The torque on the gear teeth will keep it engaged and fight you moving the stick if you don't match properly.

sunbyrne

Maybe in New Jersey, but I don't think that's true in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Farsyde

coasting is definately illegal in FL and I'm pretty sure most states, but honestly, is the cop EVER gonna be able to prove you werent in gear; No. It's just a law that protects the driver in a panic situation so that you always have your car in gear. Like say someone cut you off and you had to gun it to change lanes in b/w 2 cars-if you slam the gas in nuetral, well, you hit the car or damage the engine.