MPG Testing AR-5 + 93 Octane

[vt_maverick]

Thanks Dad, I refrained from holding the clutch in on the way home and I think I heard a small gasp of relief from the bearing. Seriously though, don't you just offset whatever savings you gain on the pilot bearing with wear on the clutch and synchros from having to shift and re-engage again? It certainly doesn't feel as smooth to shift in and out of gear as it does to hold the pedal down and let it go.

[tom4bren]

Thanks Dad, I refrained from holding the clutch in on the way home and I think I heard a small gasp of relief from the bearing. Seriously though, don't you just offset whatever savings you gain on the pilot bearing with wear on the clutch and synchros from having to shift and re-engage again? It certainly doesn't feel as smooth to shift in and out of gear as it does to hold the pedal down and let it go.

Yer welcome Son

It depends on too many factors to give you a straight answer. On some cars you can slip it out of gear without pushing in the clutch (can't on my Amigo though so I assume can't on your VX either). Considering how much I have to 'row' through traffic, I don't see how an extra shift now & then to take advantage of coasting will make an appreciable difference on clutch longevity. On a bad traffic day, I'd conservatively estimate that I push in the clutch 1000 times on my commute home. It also depends on your driving habits like how much you feather the clutch when shifting & stuff. Ideally each shift is done at a constant speed & acceleration/deceleration is done after the shift - that gives you the smoothest shift and will make your clutch last the longest.