what will hurt the clutch/car when starting or shifting?

[yellow02]

I took the car out tonight for the first time, and i noticed you dont have to give the car any gas at all to get it moving after releasing the clutch. Is that going to affect anything? also will letting the clutch out too slow hurt it? give me any other information that you can about hurting the car.

 

[HSSSTOY]

..This car is well built, remember it has won the 24hr endurance race at Lemans, the FIA...and many other races to count. My point is NO you wont Hurt it, BUT make sure you break it in well,enjoy it and have happy hollidays.


_________________
99 Slvr/Conl. GTS

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

Probably the thing you'll wear out the fastest is the clutch. Now I don't own a Viper but have driven my dad's and uncles enough to know that leaning these cars can be tricky. First thing, don't hold the car at lights on inclines with the clutch, you'll burn it up ral fast, second, don't ride the clutch when shifting gears you should be engaging the clutch fully, just as you step on the gas, this also minimizes clutch wear. And the last reccomendation so you don't hurt your car, put it away now (I know it would be hard to) but it's getting really cold out now, making these cars even more powerful while at the same time way more dangerous.

It sux living in the snow belt.

P.s. how old are you?
I'm 19.

Craig

 

[yellow02]

thanks for the reply. Im 16 at the moment and i do not have that much expierece from driving stick. I can get around town fine and its not hard when it come to just everyday drivng but i dont want to get into any bad habbits where i will be killing clutches all the time. yea i normally just roll in on N when i see a red light a couple hundred yards down. And im driving it less agressively than my jeep and im no wheres even close to losing it because of the cold tires.

 

[phiebert]

Just don't ride it and you'll be fine. I drag race and my clutch is still in excellent condition. In fact, I just twisted the half shaft last week and still no clutch problems. Clutches burn out from being ridden. That is, leaving it half out while taking off or driving around. It's basically just a couple plates that use friction. It's like rubbing your hands together, if you keep doing it for a long time, they'll get hot. If you do it for a second and then hold them together (clutch out) or pull them apart (clutch engaged), your hands will cool off. Just like a clutch.

To answer your question. Letting your clutch out without any gas just requires engaging your clutch more slowly. More slowly means your clutch stays half engaged (or rubbing together) longer, which means more heat is produced, etc. It doesn't hurt once in a while, but I wouldn't make a practice of slowly engaging the clutch, you will undoubtedly shorten the life of your clutch that way.

 

[dmora]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by airbornerx7:
So as soon as he said he was 16 someone started the countdown till the first 'you shouldn't have a viper' post right?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

as long as he doesnt say mommy and daddy bought it for him, then its fine. a driving class is DEFINATELY a must. do not wait on this. I know people that have been driving for years and still cant handle a car for shiet. i know im not a pro driver either, but i know the limits of my car.