Saving an eGear Clutch

[Shawn]

I keep hearing over and over from people how egear clutches keep going bad. I'm hoping most of these are on 2004ish models not 2006+. But anyway, I've read a couple people put their egear in neutral at stop lights. Does that help? And would putting the car in full auto in busy traffic help prolong the clutch as well? What other ways can you help prolong the life of an egear clutch? Does a manual clutch last a lot longer than egear?

Thanks,
Shawn

I feel like I'm posting alot of questions lately:fu:

[Matt]

It's really going to depend on how you drive. There are aftermarket E-gear clutches available.

[Shawn]

And these aftermarket ones last longer then?

[Matt]

I believe so, carbon ceramic I think.

[Shawn]

ok thanks. Does putting the car in neutral at stop lights and such help?

[Matt]

ok thanks. Does putting the car in neutral at stop lights and such help?

That, I don't know.

[pdisme]

Putting the car in neutral will have no effect; it disengages the clutch when stopped either way, which is why there's a delay between pressing the gas and it hooking up again. Auto mode will not help, it shifts horribly in that mode and it should really be removed as it will give you whiplash.

If egears actually do wear the clutch out quicker, I'd have to guess it's from people accelerating from a stop gingerly; if you don't give it a firm press on the accelerator, it feathers the clutch a bit, probably to try to keep the car from jerking, so you really need to be stopped or on the gas an appreciable amount. If I'm in city or stop light traffic, I'll let the car in front of me get a few lengths before I hit the gas just so I can get on it enough for it to immediately engage rather than slow starting; you don't have to mash it and look stupid, just have to give it enough for it to know what you're trying to do.

The '06+ sintered clutch from the manual tranny can be installed in the e-gear and supposedly lasts much longer; if it becomes necessary to replace it.

[Shawn]

much appreciated thanks for the help

[pdisme]

I should have mentioned that you can tell it works this way because if you are stopped and let off the brake, nothing happens. :) In fact, if you leave your foot off the brake for more than what seems like maybe 5 to 10 seconds while it is in gear, it will put itself in neutral.

[tomf-1]

Shawn,

Dave is right on points. If I can offer another advice my beloved Lambo/Ferrari techs have always told me about Egear/F1 is.....whatever you do...."DO NOT P*SSY FOOTING" (esp. in reverse). That's the best way to wear out and slip your clutch.

[Shawn]

So basically give it some strong gas or get out of gear? The reverse will suck backing out of my garage. I have a huge lake right in back of my house so when backing out I'll prolly end up in the lake :lol2:

[pdisme]

LOL, yeah not quite that strong, but a 'firm application' is probably the best way to describe it, just need to let the e-gear know it's time to fully engage, not slip.

[Shawn]

Ok, I'll floor it at every stop light :biggerGrin:

[pdisme]

I'm still waiting for my first opportunity to use launch mode; I think it eats about 20% of your clutch though so I'm saving that for the one time I'll drag race the car.

[Shawn]

What year is your spyder? Maybe try it when you've had the clutch tested and they say there is 10% left. Then go out and give it a try and call them and tell em to bring a tow :lol2:

[Shawn]

Anyway, got back from putting money down on my new G! And test drove it and had a good talk with the sales manager at Lambo Chicago and picked his brain about the clutch issues. His responses were..

How long do most of the clutches last on the 2006's?
- Pretty long apparently as they've never had to replace one yet. (good considering 2006's were out late of 05.)
- Version E is BY FAR better than previous versions.
- A driver in busy city life will eat through a clutch much faster than a driver in suburban roads with not many stops.
- Don't let it linger in reverse or gears (what you guys said)
- Don't decelerate when up shifting, just keep constant gas.

I think that's all :)

I did notice something when driving it though I wanted to ask about. when your going say 50 MPH and there is stop light ahead, if you just slow down it will auto shift into lower gears for you, but should you put it neutral and just let it roll to the stop?

[pdisme]

- Don't decelerate when up shifting, just keep constant gas.

I did notice something when driving it though I wanted to ask about. when your going say 50 MPH and there is stop light ahead, if you just slow down it will auto shift into lower gears for you, but should you put it neutral and just let it roll to the stop?

You mean don't let off the gas when up shifting? You shouldn't be upshifting while slowing down. :) I usually ease up a bit or the passenger will get whiplash. Unless Matt is riding in the car, then I mash it to watch him go flying into the head rest. :lol2: :lol2:

As far as slowing down, I'll down shift to third as I slow and then just stop from there; downshifting to second gets jerky in the e-gear so I don't do it. It will not downshift for you other than into first when you stop. I would never put it in neutral because if something happens that requires you to hit the gas to avoid an accident, now you've just wrecked your car in order to save the clutch. :) Kind of like the $600 circuit board that blows the protect the 10 cent fuse.

[Shawn]

You mean don't let off the gas when up shifting?
Yes that's what I meant to say - do u not do that?

I would never put it in neutral because if something happens that requires you to hit the gas to avoid an accident, now you've just wrecked your car in order to save the clutch. :) Kind of like the $600 circuit board that blows the protect the 10 cent fuse.


Very good point:grinning-smiley-003

[shelbyelite]

Honestly guys, it is best to put the car in Neutral if you are coming to a stop light and KNOW you are gonna be stopped for a few moments. I know this as I have talked to MANY lambo techs and they all tell me the same thing. Why do you think the car puts it-self in neutral when you sit there and do not move a do not move for a while...?
Anyway, to get the longest life out of the clutch, this is what I have been told by every tech I have talked to...
Just my $.02

[roytoy2003]

Yes, I am with Shelby on that...I have always been told the same AND it makes more sense...pull it in to N when you know you are coming to a stop or a stand still for more than 30 seconds or so...same as a manual....when you know your coming to a stop you dont down shift through every gear into first??? You throw it into N with the clutch in....do the same with the e-gear..

[zzzzdoc]

So basically give it some strong gas or get out of gear? The reverse will suck backing out of my garage. I have a huge lake right in back of my house so when backing out I'll prolly end up in the lake :lol2:
Oh, Shawn, gun it in reverse. Be a man. I'll save a space on "Drowned Exotics" just for you. And think of the story your neighbors will tell.:lol2:

[zzzzdoc]

I'm still waiting for my first opportunity to use launch mode; I think it eats about 20% of your clutch though so I'm saving that for the one time I'll drag race the car.
I thought that Launch mode was inactive on US cars? No? Maybe I'm thinking of the F430.

[zzzzdoc]

Yes, I am with Shelby on that...I have always been told the same AND it makes more sense...pull it in to N when you know you are coming to a stop or a stand still for more than 30 seconds or so...same as a manual....when you know your coming to a stop you dont down shift through every gear into first??? You throw it into N with the clutch in....do the same with the e-gear..

I'll buy that. It makes sense. Can't say that I do it all the time. I'm pretty sure on the Murci, though, that it doesn't just drop to first, it goes down one gear at a time while you're slowing, blipping the throttle with each downshift.

Time to take out the car and play with the e-gear to test this stuff out.

[pdisme]

I thought that Launch mode was inactive on US cars? No? Maybe I'm thinking of the F430.

Yep, it's in the US cars, even in the manual.

[Seb]

Shawn,

Dave is right on points. If I can offer another advice my beloved Lambo/Ferrari techs have always told me about Egear/F1 is.....whatever you do...."DO NOT P*SSY FOOTING" (esp. in reverse). That's the best way to wear out and slip your clutch.

100% true, with egear you need to NOT baby it, sounds weird, but its true!

[Shawn]

I've been doing real good with reverse, not as bad as I thought it would be..haven't landed in the lake yet:lol2:

I'm taking it to Lambo Chicago soon and while there, I'll see if there are any software upgrades for the egear.

[zzzzdoc]

Yep, it's in the US cars, even in the manual.
What's the procedure? And is it the same on Murci E-gears (well, there goes MY clutch)?

[pdisme]

What's the procedure? And is it the same on Murci E-gears (well, there goes MY clutch)?

Not sure if the Murci has it, but in the G you turn sport mode on, traction control off, put it in gear and mash the pedal all the way to the floor and do not let off. It's supposed to rev to the correct launch rpm and then dumps the clutch for maximum acceleration. I haven't tried it because I only intend to when I take the car down to the Bradenton drag strip and I need to get the best acceleration, around town I don't need to satisfy the ricer and Vette owners with a stop light drag, well unless I'm in the g-wagen and then I'll get on it. :lol2: