I think we all know the clutch situation for these cars are in a tough spot... I want to talk about some driving habits that help elongate the life of the clutch.

I'm specifically interested in strategies when it comes to coming to a complete stop. I drive a sport shift and when coming to a stop I let the computer automatically downshift to first.
But, would it be better to throw it into neutral before the stop instead of rowing through the gears? I think the main disadvantage is more brake wear due to no engine braking.
On the flip if you don't come to a stop and have to get back into gear from neutral at speed, that can cause wear as well ( or so I hear ).

Interested to hear thoughts on this and other driving habits for clutch life.

 

Personally, I would pull both paddles towards you when it is still in second, and select neutral instead of downshifting to 1st. Brake wear is not a disadvantage. Brakes to slow, throttle to go. Brakes are designed to slow the car down and are cheaper than clutch jobs. Besides, if you're stopping from a slow speed at that point you're barely using them anyway.

Downshifting to 1st puts a fair bit of shock load through the drivetrain.

 

I drive my ASM this way. Pull paddles while at a stop

 

how come sometimes mine seems to apply the handbrake automatically at a stop ? Is there a way to side step this ? thanks

 

I'm not really sure what you're talking about here. The handbrake is manual in these cars, there's no way for the vehicle to apply it automatically.

 

Well i beg to differ sometimes when im at a stop light and have my foot on the brake the hand brake will in fact engage and i have to manually release it due to the warning light and chime , i dont have a manual , i have the sport shift

 

What year do you have?
Is the handbrake sensor switch adjustable? Maybe it is just tight enough to activate the warning light and chime. My 2009 is very sensitive and I have to be sure I have fully released the lever.

 

ive got a 2010 convertible , i release the handbrake and im fine but if im sitting at a light or stop sign with foot on the brake it will sometimes come on , pretty annoying

 

That’s a new one on me too…08 sportshift..never had this happen..wasn’t aware it was possible..maybe an adjustment issue..not pad wear sensors??

 

The SSII has a "hill hold" feature that is very useful. If you come to a stop on an uphill gradient that's steep enough, when you apply the footbrake the gear selector shows a red "H" and the car will hold the brakes on so you can move your right foot to the throttle and then drive off without rolling back - very useful and saves hauling on the handbrake.

 

yes, with the auto shift, there were only two practicable ways at the time it was introduced to effectively hold the car immobile on an upslope or downslope. they would have had to slip the clutch the entire time or somehow manage to apply the brakes. my guess is that they employed both methods, depending on the circumstances. but to get an authoritative answer one would have to blackmail one of the engineers that developed the system. because my guess is they were/are not overly proud of it.

in any event, i would develop the habit, whenever at a stop, to put the car in neutral and apply the brake as necessary, as this is what drivers do if they have a manual transmission. IOW, relieve the robot of its obligation to make the decision as to what to do and how to do it.

 

Ok, so i did a little asking around and a mechanic from AM said "in england its customary to engage the hand brake while at a stop light or sign he said its also how they are taught to drive in england and aston built that function in " Sounds a little odd to me but maybe some member from across the pond could shed some light on the subject ?