Clutch question on the SSII gearbox

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Morning all

I have been wondering this for quite a while, but lets say you are stuck at traffic lights, the car is stopped but in 1st gear, is the clutch engaged on the flywheel or is it totally disengaged?

Do people sit here and place the gearbox in neutral?

I am just wondering, with regards to clutch wear

Thanks

Kevin

ps no more questions today!

[Calinours]

I have a SSII box with twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel which permits light ASM remap to add the blip on downshift feature of the V12VS SSIII system.

The system is an automated manual, and other than the system using a hydraulic power source and control valves to disengage/engage the clutch (instead of your left foot) and actuate the selectors automatically or on your paddle command (instead of the stick), the ‘box functions exactly the same as a ‘normal’ manual. If the car is indicating it’s in 1st, and the car is stationary, then the gear is engaged and the clutch is open. Just like you would in a manual car, as long as you don’t touch the loud pedal the car will hold the plates fully open (no slip) therefore no wear.

If you remain concerned about clutch wear or know you will be standing more than a few moments, you can select neutral by pulling both paddles as you come to a halt. I find when I do that I sometimes forget to engage 1st again before pressing the pedal to move off, resulting in some embarrassment.

While the SSI with single clutch was perhaps a little too compromised, I see many comments from many sources about how rubbish all versions of Sportshift are. I couldn’t disagree more. Yes you have to learn it, but that brings its own reward. I can drive mine very smoothly in any situation and find my Sportshift system gives just the right amount of driver engagement.

Don’t worry and enjoy your marvellous car. Like all manuals, the clutch will wear out eventually, when it does, do your research, and if the improved responsiveness and faster smoother changes are for you, bang in a twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel and enjoy it even more

I’m jealous. I won’t be able to drive any of mine for months.

Edited by Calinours on Saturday 11th February 09:58

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Lovely thank you

[LTP]

Hi Kev,

When the SSII detects the car is stationary it will do the hydraulic equivalent of fully depressing the clutch pedal, so the clutch plate is fully disengaged and being held that way by the thrust bearing. If you then shift the gearbox into neutral, either by pressing the "N" button or pulling back simultaneously on both paddles (as Calinours said) the gearbox will shift into neutral but, as far as I'm aware, the clutch does not then release, as it would if you put a manual car into neutral and then lifted your foot off the clutch pedal. So the gearbox is in "N" but the clutch is still fully open (disengaged) on the SSII and there is no real advantage to engaging neutral while you're stationary, unless you want to be able to blip the throttle without moving the car. The SSII will keep its hydraulic foot on the phantom clutch pedal while the car is stationary.

I can honestly say that I rarely, if ever, engage neutral when I'm driving mine. Maybe 10 times in 4 years.

[kevin_cambs_uk]

LTP said:

Hi Kev,

When the SSII detects the car is stationary it will do the hydraulic equivalent of fully depressing the clutch pedal, so the clutch plate is fully disengaged and being held that way by the thrust bearing. If you then shift the gearbox into neutral, either by pressing the "N" button or pulling back simultaneously on both paddles (as Calinours said) the gearbox will shift into neutral but, as far as I'm aware, the clutch does not then release, as it would if you put a manual car into neutral and then lifted your foot off the clutch pedal. So the gearbox is in "N" but the clutch is still fully open (disengaged) on the SSII and there is no real advantage to engaging neutral while you're stationary, unless you want to be able to blip the throttle without moving the car. The SSII will keep its hydraulic foot on the phantom clutch pedal while the car is stationary.

I can honestly say that I rarely, if ever, engage neutral when I'm driving mine. Maybe 10 times in 4 years.

Lovely thanks chief!

Went out today and then like Clamours, put it in neutral at the lights, then forgot to engage 1st, !!!

Doh!

Kev

[DB9VolanteDriver]

For the Vanquish, in 1st the clutch is open, as stated above, and when placed in neutral is ‘more’ open. The reason is that when moving off from a light, the distance to engage the flywheel is reduced for quicker response. So there is a difference in clutch position, 1st vs neutral.

[kevin_cambs_uk]

As ever thanks for all the replies.

That has cleared up this weeks question!

Thanks

Kev