DCG standstill: neutral or in gear

[JJ_01]

DCG: Is there any difference standing still being in neutral or in gear (S or D). I am asking this from the clutch life aspect...

In MT I was always putting car to neutral and releasing the clutch. But in DCG one clutch is always depressed anyway, so in theory it should not make any difference putting it in neutral.

Any opinion?

[Someone?]

It has a Clutch not a Torque converter, so when you stop if you let off the brake it disengages automatically, but watch it you roll backwards or forward. You never really need to put it in Neutral while your in it.

Also its referred to as a DCT trans, Not DCG

[MysticBlue]

There shouldn't be any physical difference between being in N or D while stopped, as far as the clutches are concerned. In neutral, if you give it throttle, the computer will not engage either clutch. If in D, if you give it throttle, the computer will engage one of the clutches. As far as wear on the clutch, unlike a dry clutch, the DCT clutch is engaged hydraulically and is disengaged at rest. In other words, hydraulic pressure is what engages and keeps the clutch engaged. Lack of pressure allows the clutch to disengage, so there is no wear during disengagement. (By wear, I assume you were talking about the throw-out bearing on a conventional clutch). So, worrying about wearing out the the clutch bearing due to clutch disengagement is a moot point in the DCT. Which is a good thing, since there is ALWAYS at least one clutch in the DCT which is disengaged, and while stopped, both clutches are disengaged.
So if you were putting it in N every time you came to a red light, thinking you were saving wear on the clutch, you're not.

[pkimM3r]

when in D mode and you come to the stop light at an incline, the car rolls backwards?

[e1000]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

when in D mode and you come to the stop light at an incline, the car rolls backwards?

absolutely

[pkimM3r]

can you tap the gas (rev up before getting in gear) for a mini launch when you need to get out in front of someone really fast?

[e1000]

In D or S:

Complete stop, foot off the brake and off gas on level ground: car does nothing but idle

Complete stop, foot off the brake and off gas on incline: car will hold itself using the brakes for 10(?) seconds and then will roll back

Complete stop, foot off brake and slight tap of gas: car will start to creep forward


From a standstill, if you're in D and mash the gas and depress the kickdown detent, the car will rev for a split second before the clutch engages for a small "clutch dump". It will upshift automatically.

You can engage launch control by putting the car in S6, DSC off, and can choose your launch control rev using the CC stalk. Although you are in S-mode, the car will upshift automatically without input in launch control mode. Any other time you are in S-mode, the car will bounce off of the rev-limiter if you do not upshift (not pleasant).

[pkimM3r]

thats actually pretty good....sometimes you need that quick rev before dumping the clutch to get going when it needs it....guess dct tries to do as much as you can with a manual.

[JJ_01]

Thanks all. So no need to go in neutral when at stand still. Cool!

[FVM3]

just leave it in D

[///WeissBisBlau]

Originally Posted by e1000

...
Complete stop, foot off the brake and off gas on incline: car will hold itself using the brakes for 10(?) seconds and then will roll back
...

Just wanted to point out that this is only like 2 seconds. It's the Hill Hold Assist feature. When you get off the brake, ESPECIALLY if you're on a steep incline, you'd better get on with it. After that two seconds, it lets go quick. Pretty darned important to know, if somebody is close on your 6...

Had this happen to me last night. Was an "oh, %#&@!" Moment, for sure!

[e1000]

Originally Posted by ///WeissBlitz76

Just wanted to point out that this is only like 2 seconds. It's the Hill Hold Assist feature. When you get off the brake, ESPECIALLY if you're on a steep incline, you'd better get on with it. After that two seconds, it lets go quick. Pretty darned important to know, if somebody is close on your 6...

Had this happen to me last night. Was an "oh, %#&@!" Moment, for sure!

Yeah you might be right I was just guessing at the delay.

I've also noticed you need to come to a complete stop with the brakes for this to kick in. If you keep rolling even a little or aren't really on the brakes you will roll back immediately!

[swartzentruber]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

thats actually pretty good....sometimes you need that quick rev before dumping the clutch to get going when it needs it....guess dct tries to do as much as you can with a manual.

Yes, that's why there are so many frequent arguments that the DCT isn't really like an automatic (with the 6MT crowd). It does try to mimic driving a manual in many ways, which in my book is a good thing, since like quite a few of the DCT owners, I have mostly driven manuals, and don't like the behavior of traditional autos (for instance, it bugs me having to keep my foot on the brake so the car doesn't start creeping).