Engaging gear without pressing the clutch.

[Milgram]

I came across quite a number of car forums that actually discussed shifting/engaging gears with pressing the clutch!

 

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555076

 

http://www.superhonda.com/forum/archive/in...p/t-110759.html

 

http://www.f-body.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1913

 

http://www.yotor.org/wiki/en/ma/Manual%20t...20technique.htm

 

These posts seem to suggest that shifting/engaging gears without pressing the clutch can be done...and if done right, cause no wear and tear on the gear box. If done wrong, you'd probably hear a grinding sound, which means that your gear box (tranny and synchro) is taking a beating).

 

What I want to know is this (which is the reason why I went in search for this topic anyway) - the abovementioned threads talk about clutchless gear shifting while the car is in motion. In my case, I had accidentally engaged the gear without pressing the clutch when my car was stationary (in fact, the engine was switched off). Will this be detrimental to the gearbox? I ask this because I didn't even know I had accidentally engage the gear as there wasn't any grinding sound at all. I only realized I had engaged the gear when I turned on the ignition and the car jerked forward and stalled.

 

Any expert opinion on this will be GREATLY appreciated.

Edited January 4, 2006 by Milgram

[Yc86]

if the engine is not running, it doesn't matter if u step the clutch or not.. the gears can shift freely.

 

when the engine is moving, i can't shift into & engage another gear (at least don't dare to), but when the car is moving can shift from 3rd or 4th to neutral without stepping on clutch. if u suddenly shift and engage, won't the car suddenly jerk too? something like the effect of throwing the clutch..

 

sometimes, when moving slowly in gear 1, my gear somehow pops to neutral by itself

weird

 

maybe wear off liao cos i always play with the gear stick when the engine is not runnin, when waiting for ppl or just enjoying the seats

Edited January 4, 2006 by Yc86

[Lucien]

mine pops to neutral too....then ccrrrraaaaaaaaakkkkkk.......i was like OMGWTF.......

[Milgram]

Yes, you are absolutely correct dude! Just discovered that shifting the gear when the engine is switched off does no damage to the car. Clutchless shifting that can potentially cause wear and tear on the gear box would only be applicable when the engine is running. Gotta give it to those psychos who try to hone their skills in clutchless gear shifting then huh?

 

As to your stick popping back to neutral from the first gear, it's either it had not been engaged fully (in which case, it should typically be accompanied by a grinding sound) or that the stick is loosened as you have pointed out. Maybe it's time to get the stick tightened...