I have a 2015 V12VS, and it’s fantastic. As a huge fan of manual gearboxes, I am surprised at just how involving and enjoyable the SS III gearbox is. I think it is grossly underrated and I love that it needs the driver to drive it properly (using the paddles, of course) -- that’s what makes it so involving and rewarding to use, much like a manual (and more fun IMO than a dual-clutch transmission or a torque-converter automatic). I couldn’t care less that it doesn’t work very well as an automatic. Anyway…

When driving a conventional manual, I always put the gearbox in neutral while stopped, for example at a red light. This extends the life of the throwout bearing since, in neutral with the clutch pedal released, the clutch is engaged -- the throwout bearing isn’t doing anything. With the Sportshift III (as well as SS I and II), the general advice is to put it in neutral while stopped – to reduce wear on the throwout bearing.

Here’s my question: When at rest and idling in neutral with the Sportshift, is the clutch: 1) engaged (as it is with a conventional manual in neutral and the clutch pedal released); or 2) disengaged (as it is with a conventional manual in neutral and the clutch pedal depressed)? If it’s the latter, then the throwout bearing is pushing against the clutch pressure plate regardless of whether the gearbox is in N or in 1st gear. If this is the case, then there wouldn’t be any difference to throwout bearing wear whether you put the ‘box in N or leave it in 1st while at rest. Does anyone know which way it works?

BTW, I know that the gearbox in my prior 2005 Vanquish S disengaged the clutch at idle in N as well as in 1st, so putting it in N while at rest made no difference to the throwout bearing.

 

SS III was the best, then they killed it. I never use neutral at a light for anything.
Main thing on a motorcycle, you may need to take off quickly to prevent a rear collision. And people seem to think every light is a drag race.
I do know SSIII does a clutch learn when at idle during a stop with certain parameters. Instead of at cold start like 1&2. So maybe that answers your question.
-JW

 

J, thanks for the reply. SS III does a clutch learn at every (cold or hot) start -- the LED in the N button blinks for a few seconds while it does this. It will also do a learn when you come to a stop under certain clutch temperature parameters: If you come to a stop and the 'box is in 1st gear, the car will select N automatically (you'll see N in the gear indicator), and the LED in the N button will blink while it does the learn. It takes a few seconds and, when it's done, it automatically goes back into 1st gear. If you step on the gas during the learn, it cancels the learn and engages 1st.


My question isn't answered yet, but my inclination is that the clutch is disengaged while stopped in N (unless it's doing a learn), in which case there is no benefit to the throwout bearing if you select N. But I still don't know with certainty and would love to hear from someone who can confirm either way.

 

Well, I did remember it did a learn during a drive cycle that the others didn't do. The bearing is a fairly robust unit. Usually only see ones that leak vs actual bearing noise or failure.

 

J, I appreciate your input.

 

Interesting question. I've had 4 V8's and 4 V12S over the years. One manual. Manuals are great if you never drive in traffic, and since the Sportshift is a manual with automated clutch, you still 'shift' modulating the gas - a perfect combination! I manually upshift and let the computer downshift on all the Vantages V8's and V12S. The Sportshift III is a better option and why it did not become a V8 option at least justifying the Vantage S is beyond me. The original Sportshift did not have an indication for the clutch kiss, so I waited 10 seconds before shifting just incase. On my latest V12S, a 2016, when I got the car delivered in October (it's in Minneapolis winter storage now) I had a few weeks driving it. Twice, when I tried to take off from a stop it slipped out of gear and I had to manually shift the paddles to get into first. Of the 7 sportshift Vantages I've owned that never happened (probably a total 60K+ miles). I contacted Park Place Aston Martin where I bought the car (not a good experience), and their mechanic said that was totally normal, they do that all the time. Good thing I have a two year Timeless Warranty because that's not normal. I did get the last 5 years service record and the ASM pump had been replaced. I never selected neutral at a stop, and I've never had a clutch or ASM issue, other than the two times my recent one slipped out of gear to neutral when at a stop in traffic.

 

About the "when I tried to take off from a stop it slipped out of gear and I had to manually shift the paddles to get into first," is it possible that it was doing the temperature-related clutch learn? If you step on the gas pedal while it's doing that, it will stop the learn process. I said that it will also then automatically engage 1st gear -- but I realize that I don't know if that's the case. Maybe it will stop the learn but you have to pull the paddle to get 1st? When I noticed my car do that temp-related clutch learn, it finished and then selected 1st on its own. But if you interrupt the learn by stepping on the gas, I don't actually know whether it will select 1st by itself or if you have to select it manually.

 

I assume you know that it will go into neutral at a stop, after some number of seconds, if you remove your foot from the brake pedal.

 

Again, not a novice on Sportshift or Sportshift III. My first V12S (posted previously) was a deceptive sale, timeless certified with a previous factory race history undisclosed. I drove that 2K miles zero Sportshift issues. The replacement I drove about 15K miles - zero issues, then I bought a new 2017 V12S I drove that about 12K miles zero issues. Never once had any (including Sportshift V8's) slipped out of gear while at a stop. This 2016 had done it twice when I first had it delivered, but not since afterwards. The problem is when in traffic and at a light, I'm thinking the car will accelerate but it just revs, both times catching me by surprise, but the first time I needed a few seconds to figure what was happening. Meanwhile the cars behind me frustrated in a green light and not moving start honking. It was very uncomfortable. The second time I reacted quicker. Believe me, going into neutral at a stop randomly is not normal. As far as temperature, both times it was within 10 minutes of starting on fall Minneapolis weather, normal driving.

 

FWIW the owner’s manual says “There are five clutch temperature points and when they are reached during driving, a clutch self learn is activated.” The learn happens when the car comes to a stop and with your foot on the brake. No info is given about what those temperature points are, nor how often it does this (which obviously depends on reaching those temps).

This is my first Sportshift car, but I had my ‘05 Vanquish S for 9 years, which was effectively pre-Sportshift.