launching in 1st sans go pedal

[volksviggen]

launching in 1st sans go pedal

I have talked to a few people who sometimes get their TDIs rolling by (slowly )letting up the clutch and letting the torque do the rest.

It's certainly a good way to practice engaging the clutch,but I am wondering if that is not a strain on the engine to do on a regular basis.Any opinions?
Thanks!
SLD

 

[Davin]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

This practice should be fine on the engine as long as it is done slowly and gradually. The key is to keep the RPMs at the idle level. If you let the clutch out too quickly, the RPMS may drop below idle and the engine will bog. This isn't good.

-davin

 

[ACHTUNG TDI]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I did that on a level road a couple of times just to experience the torque of the engine. I then shifted into second and third gear without ever touching the go pedal. It's amazing how the car accelerates in the higher gears without any coaxing.

 

[TDI Shopper]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I also rarely apply the gas (or diesel as the case my be)driving in city traffic. Just doesn't seem to be a need for it.

I've often wondered that if beyond the engine's torque, if the drive by wire characteristics come into play driving in this manner. Is the engine actually applying the accelerator for you in response to the dropping rpms?

Either way, has to be the easiest stickshift to drive I've ever experienced. (way easier than a 74 Valiant with "three on the tree"!)

Fourth fill-up.....50.45 MPG while averaging 70 MPH!

 

[tadc]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by TDI Shopper:
I've often wondered that if beyond the engine's torque, if the drive by wire characteristics come into play driving in this manner. Is the engine actually applying the accelerator for you in response to the dropping rpms?<hr></blockquote>

Yes. The car senses a drop in idle RPM and adds more fuel to compensate.

Keep in mind that at idle you maximize your EGR activity and thereby increase your intake manifold fouling.

 

[volksviggen]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Thank y'all.That makes sense.

OTS,but they do not even teach stick transmission anymore at any of the driver's schools in this area!They said it is because the DMV will only test people on automatics. What's with that!?Is driving a stick THAT esoteric a practice!?

SLD

 

[warmseat]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

"Creeping" along in 1st gear without using the throttle is the best way to cope with stop and go traffic. It is far easier on the clutch than slipping to get a smooth launch. With all the construction on the interstates, and congested city traffic, the ability to idle along at 2-3 mph in first makes driving a 5 speed tolerable.
No fuel needed unless you are going up a grade.
Jim

 

[Dan Clarke]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Hi,

The original clutch in my 81 Rabbit diesel pickup went 250,000 miles. I attribute that to letting the clutch get all the way out before getting on the throttle whenever possible.

Dan

 

[swtupndwn36]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

You people just made my day with this post... I have only driven a manual 3 times:
1. Me and my dad went to test drive Jettas (didnt do to well)
2. This is a funny one, I started my TDI search but since it was going to take so long to find my dealer just let me come to the lot and test drive some cars. Well he was like how bout you try the manual GTI and I was like Im not too good but sure. I stalled 5 times trying to pull out of the lot and left it parked in the middle of the lot. Went inside and he was like ohh its easy here let me show you. So we drove around the block. He then said you want to give it a try, so I once again said sure. He went back inside. This time I actually got out of the lot and stalled in the middle of traffic at 5 pm and couldnt get the car started. Turns out I was trying to start in 3rd gear. Once I figured that out after 5 min of people honking and passing I pulled off to a side street where I stalled again. This time I officially gave up, called the dealership adn told him I was around the corner and couldnt get back. He came out and got me: Great Dealer!!
3. I convinced a friend to give me lessons after my test driving ordeal. Im starting to get it.

Now the point of this is Im going to pick up my Manual TDI Jetta this friday and am a little nervous about driving it back myself 2 hours across IN. I have one more driving lesson tomorrow, but your advice makes me feel a little better. Thanks

Andrew

 

[volksviggen]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Funny-every dealer I went to except the one I bought my car from seemed shocked that I knew what a clutch pedal is( yes, I am female)

.That didn't stop them from trying to tell me I REALLY want an auto..

ANyway,Andrew,if you do a search on any 5 speed related topic, you will find loads of equally helpful info.COngrats on your new TDI, you will love it!
SLD

 

[Drizzten]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

...the ability to idle along at 2-3 mph in first...

Mine moves at 5 MPH nearly on the dot. What is everyone else's speed?

 

[golfstream]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Hey SDL,

Whenever I'm manouvering around parking spaces, in and out of the garage, rolling traffic backup, etc., I don't use the accelerator pedal. Just gently engage the clutch. This really is a great combination (TDI/manual trans.) to learn on because the engine has so much torque and difficult to stall.

-Mel

PS, It was great meeting you at Friday's. Hope we can all get together again.

PPS, Don't worry Andrew. You'll do great.

 

[swtupndwn36]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I took my second driving lesson today and did much better in an older mustang

Only stalled once while starting at a stop light, but I was actually out on the road which was a plus. I cant wait till that day when I look back and laugh at how bad I was when I started, right now it freaks me out going on the road.

On the topic of launching in 1st, can you just hit the gas pedal w/o releasing the clutch?

I hear the TDI is VERY difficult to stall, can someone please expand on that and let me know how easy it really is. Im nervous about my drive on Saturday, any words of encouragement would be nice.

Andrew

 

[tadc]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

The TDI is both easier and harder to stall than a gasser.

Easier to stall because it requires a higher minimum RPM to continue running and if you go below that threshold *pow* it's instantly stalled. But harder because of the TDI's high level of torque, short 1st gear and automatic idle speed control - as long as you don't fall below that magical threshold you can do amazing things without ever touching the "gas".

On a gasser you can accidentally over-engage the clutch or under-gas it and the engine will almost stall, but as long as you correct your error quickly it will keep running. Not so with a TDI, but fortunately it's harder to get to that point of stall as long as you're fairly careful.

 

[volksviggen]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I've found that gassers give more of an obvious indication that a stall is imminent( bucking,engine sound),while the TDI can sneak up on you-it runs ok till it...stops.If you press the gas(oops FUEL)pedal w/ the clutch pedal down,it will rev the engine,but it will not move unless you let the clutch up.

Is there a route that you can take that is relatively low on traffic,even if it's longer?That might be more relaxing. One of the many pluses of the TDI is that you don't have to downshift so often on the highway.

Try not to worry,just get a good night's sleep and be alert. That will put you way ahead of many of the other people driving around

SLD

 

[swtupndwn36]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I think Ive convinced my friend whos been teaching me to drive to come with me. He can just shout commands at me if I get in a bind. That whole cutting out without warning kinda scares me. Starting is my main problem so Im thinking highway driving wont be a huge problem. Thanks

Andrew

 

[gamaf]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

00 Jetta GLS TDI
I also manoeuver around parking lots using just
mainly the clutch. An odd thing, almost amusing, is that if you screw up, ie go two slow, you dont get any warning of a stall like in a gasser which will probably cough and spit a bit, the diesel will just stop, quit, bye bye, gone, almost like someone stuck a crowbar into the crankshaft.

 

[rrick]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by gamaf:
00 Jetta GLS TDI
the diesel will just stop, quit, bye bye, gone, almost like someone stuck a crowbar into the crankshaft.<hr></blockquote>

when this engine does stall, its sounds like it wants to pop. I don't like the sound it makes. I only have stalled it while forgeting the A/C is on and doing the no fuel pedel trick. Does stalling risk a blown something?

 

[InkJet]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Don't worry Andrew--you will do fine! Just relax and let your friend coach you through it. Your stories remind me of me when I was starting out with sticks! I got so spooked I avoided driving them until the day I couldn't pass up the 2 year old Ford Ranger 4x4 with only 17,000 miles--but it was a stick! My advice: listen to the car and feel how it moves. It will "tell" you what it wants. Sounds strange but it will make sense as you practice. My Ranger was very patient with me! And now, I wouldn't want to have an automatic for a daily driver. I insisted on a stick when I got the Jetta. The Jettas are even easier to drive, the clutch and shift are like butter. You'll have the hang of it before you know it! Then when you do try to drive an automatic you'll find your left foot keeps hitting the floor trying to find the clutch!

One "odd" thing about the Jettas though: have you tried reverse yet? On American cars it's to the right and down. On the Jetta, it's push down than left and up, past first. I caused some laughs at the dealership in my first test drive of a Jetta because I couldn't figure out reverse!

Just talk the dealer into parking it "pointing out", so you can avoid reverse til you get it home and can practice in the driveway.

Have fun and enjoy!!!!!

[ November 01, 2001: Message edited by: InkJet ]</p>

 

[Eolair]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Hehe, nice thread. I learned driving on a Golf TDI manual. My driving instructor NEVER told me to use the gas, just drop the clutch. It mostly worked, but I did stall it quite often, because if you don´t use the gas, you need a good feel for the clutch (Which I didn´t have at that time). If you drop it too fast, even a TDI will stall.

P.S. I even stalled the car during, my final test (after thirty hours =) )

 

[Nite]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Andrew, your story of how you learned reminded me of how I learned. It wasn't with a nice sales guy though, a buddy of mine went with me to a used car dealership & asked to test drive a car & because they were used cars, the salesman didn't go with us. So my buddy drove it off the lot & then I got in it down the road. 3 dealerships later... I could drive ok, I was scared s##tless of hills but I could drive ok.

Try to relax when you drive it home & be proud man. You own not only a great car but also one that is great on fuel economy.

 

[swtupndwn36]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I MADE IT!! What an excellent experience. Well to start off I was suppose to meet my parents at 10 in Ft Wayne but me and my friend got a little lost on the way there, but made it by 10:30. When I got there my car was back on the gated part of the lot being polished . After the run down it was time to try driving it. WOW! That is the easiest stick shift to drive I did stall a couple of times cause I was trying to start in 3rd, but ohh well. The Idle trick is great in reverse and trying to pull into parking spots. I still havnt tried to start uphill with someone behind me, but I should get it. Thanks for all the advice, I should have pictures up on my webpage withing a couple of days.

This car is the Best!!

Andrew

 

[RnR]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

...the ability to idle along at 2-3 mph in first...

Mine moves at 5 MPH nearly on the dot. What is everyone else's speed?

Drizz: 97' Passat TDI 5-6 mph

 

[kevy002]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

This reminds me of my first VW diesel... which actually was my first 5-speed... it wasn't a TDI, the old 1.9L TD (95 Golf) but the first time test driving it I never stalled it once. Bought the car and stalled it like 8 times trying to get out of Red Deer! Once I got on the highway it was fine but I was so nervous test driving it with people that I let the clutch out nice 'n slow... My TDI though (99.5 Golf) is very hard to stall... and I'm amazed when I do, there's virtually no warning like everyone else has said... But I haven't stalled her for a long time... knock on wood...

 

[volksviggen]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

RnR:

Mine does 5mph as well, according to my unscientific experiment.

Andrew: Congrats on your new TDI.I'm sure you are lovin' it!

 

[DFDJ]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I've actually gone all the way to 5th gear without ever touching the go pedal...(Very level ground)...just to see if it would do it. The key is to upshift at about 1000RPM, just before the electronics throttles it back. It makes quite an impressive demonstration of TDI torque, and the power of its electronics.

Good luck on your new TDI...sounds like you've mastered the art of shifting, a skill that no driver should be without.

 

[mehwolfy]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

Another use for the good torque is to slip the clutch to avoid rolling back on a hill. Although It occurs to be that this ia bad since you can't avoud dropping below idle RPM. But it only takes a second to get on the gas so no harm no fowl.

 

[mehwolfy]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

I stalled mine on the test drive too. Gears closer than I was used too. I never drove an auto till i was 20, learned on a stick.

I've let friends drive my TDI and they stall it too trying to start in 3rd. It doesn't mean you're bad.

Despite that it's a damn smoth clitch/transaxle eh.

 

[TDI-NEVER-DIE]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

In traffic i usually not only save my clutch but i also save my brakes since i can keep it at idle.
I have also tried to shift all 5 gears and i can go 30mph without touching the go pedal, pretty cool specially in traffic... it's fun driving a standard...later folks

 

[Craig]

Re: launching in 1st sans go pedal

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Drizzten:
...the ability to idle along at 2-3 mph in first...

Mine moves at 5 MPH nearly on the dot. What is everyone else's speed?<hr></blockquote>

I don't know the actual speed, but I do know that idle in 1st being the slowest you can go is too fast for many traffic jams I've been in. It is darn annoying when the traffic is creeping slower and you have to allow several car lengths, then engage the clutch, and at idle catch up to the vehicle ahead. Then on the clutch again, into neutral, and wait a few seconds. This is when I hate a manual. These times are made for an automatic.

[ November 19, 2001: Message edited by: Craig ]</p>