Bad gear changes

[Dr Jekyll]

Suppose I change down and mistime it so try to release the clutch with the revs far too low and have to slip the clutch to avoid a jerk. In this situation it's as if I can feel something through the clutch that tells me I can't lift straight off, almost a resistance.

Is this purely my imagination and I'm actually responding to the car slowing as I let the clutch out too fast? Or is it possible I can feel something through the clutch pedal?

[CrowCrow00]

No, I know what you mean. I feel it too. I think it may be imagination though as I'm always conscious of every gear change, always trying to get them as smooth as possible, whereas my girlfriend is not conscious of jerky changes, she just plops the clutch up as fast as possible.

In summary: I think it's just a conscious thing of wanting to drive smoothly, but not something you especially realise you're doing.

[Benbay001]

Could it be
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutch_delay_valve ?

[Rickyy]

.....


Sorry.

My OH also has no concept of smooth changing, I noticed it last weekend when she picked me up whilst I was suffering with a hangover

[CrutyRammers]

I know what you mean. I would guess that we've conditioned ourselves to recognise when the engine is going at a far different speed to the input shaft, from cues such as the deceleration of the whole car, and interpret it as a feeling of resistance.

[McSam]

CrutyRammers said:

I know what you mean. I would guess that we've conditioned ourselves to recognise when the engine is going at a far different speed to the input shaft, from cues such as the deceleration of the whole car, and interpret it as a feeling of resistance.

This - I don't believe there's any mechanical difference in the clutch feel, but you sure as hell feel it in your head! I rev match almost all downchanges now (for the satisfaction as well as smoothness and longevity!) and it feels hopelessly wrong when someone throws a low gear in harshly. You do develop an instinctive feel for how long the engagement process should be, don't you?

Particular bugbear is a housemate who will drop to first when approaching a roundabout, even if still doing 10mph, and whack the clutch out with no apparent thought. Ouch. Perhaps it's not fair for her to blame Fiat for the second clutch being on its way out after the car's done 32k..