Is the wear and tear on the clutch accountable 'only' when the driver is manually shifting gears?

If driving the vehicle in Auto mode, the managment system is optimally using the gearing and shifting more intelligently as opposed to the driver shifting manually.

I hear a lot of talk about clutch wear so I was wandering if poor shifting execution by the driver was more the culprit.

 

Don't know about the Murcie but the Gallardo E-Gear gets confused in auto mode - the shifting is choppy - very much akin to a novice driving a manual for the first time.

For post 2006 E-Gear "G"s more clutch wear results if you repeatedly launch the car (supposedly 15 launches before the clutch gives up), or if you baby the throttle when driving from a standing stop.

Selecting Sports Mode may result in less clutch wear (the shifts are faster), but will put more stress on the other components of the drivetrain.

Hope this helps ...

 

Thanks for the info.

So I take it that the clutch actually see more wear in Auto mode and secondly when the vehicle is launched. My understanding on launching the G was from a roll rather than a standstill but that also compromises the clutch?

Would be more practical to drive the vehicle in Sports Mode and to seldom engage Auto.

 

Sport mode and auto mode are not mutually exclusive.

I usually drive in non-sport non-auto and go into sports mode occassionally on weekend "fun" drives. I never engage auto.

Sports mode puts more stress on the rest of the drivetrain which is far more expensive than the clutch

 

I understand. Thanks again for the info. Greatly appreciate it!

 

If you care about clutch wear that much, just get a manual. I certainly wouldn't want to drive an e-gear car in any kind of slow moving traffic (and I have). I've seen pressure plates out of those things that are literally welded together from the heat.

 

I just wanted to let you guys know that I now have worn 2mm of my E-gear clutch.
The car is a Gallardo Spyder MY2007 with 24.000km (15.000 miles) on the counter. I have performed 15 powerlaunches so far.

If I keep on driving the way I am now the clutch would need to be replaced around 50.000km (30.000 miles), not that bad I suppose.

 

How did you measure the wear on your clutch?

What is exactly involved in a powerlaunch? Depressing the brakes and belting the gas?

 

fo E-Gear G's the ECU tells you

Turn on sport mode, turn off ESP, hit the throttle, The system revs to 4000 rpm, dumps the clutch and you're off!

 

I am much of a newbie in terms of using the Gallardo E Gear. ( Btw,I pulled the trigger on it.. Getting it in May) .. So,is it possible that I do not engage sports mode and also not engage the auto mode and shift myself by using the paddles? Or would I have to turn some mode on? If thats not the case,then if I just shift gears sensibly ( shifting at or under 3000 RPM) would that make the clutch last better? And what's the typical break in period for an 08 Gallardo Coupe,after which I can drive a little more aggressively,that too occasionally .?

 

Ecks:
As I mentioned to you in your thread - pl free to come up to NorCal to experience an E-Gear first hand
Also, sad to hear to hear that your build is being delayed - thought you were getting it in Feb 08? What's the issue?

As to driving it aggressively - I went on my first "Bull Run" when I had 300 miles on the clock - just make sure that the oil temp is Ok when you rev it to redline - Did 140 mph (225 kph) in some tunnel runs subsequently - will not admit to more

Later ...

 

Yes - Sports mode and auto mode are 2 buttons in the center console - if you do not engage them - the default is manual shift via the paddles

No - clutch wear is not because of rpms - it is because of riding the clutch - for a "stick" you have control over that because you have a clutch pedal - for an E-Gear you do not have control over how the clutch engages - only how you ride the throttle

Hope this helps ...

 

So,by controlling the throttle body you mean the way I manage the throttling/acceleration.?

Its still a feb build,but my father intentionally wants to delay it so that it arrives in May for my birthday..

 

Ok - let me try and see if we are on the same page ...

The e-gear has hydraulic clutch actuation which is not under the driver's control - theoretically - when the driver presses the paddle -- Up or down -- the clutch engages automatically --- usually with a jerk - which it tries to minimize by "blipping" the throttle on downshifts

Now -unlike an automatic slushbox - this will result in clutch wear, because you are relying on the unsophisticated software of the car (and believe me ... it is far more unsophitciated than an AMG/Merc or Audi S8 slushbox) to ensure that there is no clutch slippage / wear .. Also in a "slushbox" automatic transmission, aka Porsche / Audi Tiptronic, Mercedes automatic, etc. there is no real clutch to wear out - there is a hydraulic coupling in the drivetrain.

In practice - the pundits say that if you baby the throttle after a standng start there is more chance of clutch slippage.

Having said that - although E-gear results in more clutch wear than a "stick" - unless you are doing only city driving - that should not be your only criterion for choosing an E-Gear over a stick" or vice-versa

And ... tell your dad you want your car in Feb so that it is broken in by your birthday!

BTW - I have a 997 C2 as well, which is my daily driver

 

Hahaha.. So in short,I should shift gears when on a low RPM to maximize clutch life..

I am actually thinking about selling of the 997 once the G arrives,but not sure about that.. We should meet up whenever you drop by Chandigarh.. Will do the same if I drop by in NorCal.