Can someone please settle an argument?
What damage can be caused by up or downshifting a manual 2011 without using the clutch?
Therefor, is it a good or bad practice?

 

Engineers created synchros for ease of shifting and transmission longevity.
I had a '50 Dodge w/"crashbox" trans=no syncros. I wouldn't want to revisit the Stone age.

 

"Manual tranny goes boom, where do I get parts?" would be the next thread title you'd be posting.





-Kris

 

^ that was very helpful. No where was it stated where they stood on the topic, they could be the one saying its bad not to use the clutch for all we know...

I was always told not using the clutch wears out the syncros faster, but have no experiences to back that up. Of the many manual trans vehicles I have had, I have only had to rebuild a trans 1 time due to bad syncros and it was my mustang with many many hard driven miles on it and they were on their way our when I purchased the car. I don't always use the clutch while up shifting any of my vehicles, but normally always use it while down shifting.

 

When the clutch is disengaged (pedal depressed) as you start to engage another gear, the blocker ring within the synchronizer acts as a clutch to bring the input shaft and the gear to the same speed. When you attempt the shift while the clutch is still engaged, the blocker ring must fight the speed and inertia of the engine and bring it to the same speed as the gear. Even if you feel that the shift is happening quickly, it is still putting a great deal of load on the blocker ring and will cause excessive wear.

http://constructionmanuals.tpub.com/.../14273_147.htm

 

Thank you torquefan. This information is what I was looking for.
Would the same wear result if shifts were somewhat methodically timed......similar to matching engine and drivetrain speeds when shifting non-syncro?

 

You're welcome. My understanding is that the better you can time the shifts, the less harmful it will be, but still generally worse than when you use the clutch.

 

I up and downshifted my old nv5600 with no issues whatsoever. It is a learning experience to get it just right, but when you do it should slide right in like a hot knife through warm butter. South bend's website actually says not to downshift using the clutch, it can wear out the clutch facing faster, for what thats worth