Not if the box has been designed for Americans. It has to be ****proofed first....

Nope I understand what you posted, I too was talking about holding on a slope, else how could i run back?

There is one roundabout in particular in town where this is almost obligatory ,with quite a long up-slope approaching it, using the handbrake is a complete pain in these circumstances.

Where I grew up there was a moderately steep brae right outside out gates, the wee bedford van (pre MOt in NI) had NO handbrake, preforce one larned fast.

None of the cars owned by our family from new to complete scrap EVER needed a clutch.

just a thought

M

Craig

Sorry I should point out that I/we have not had any experience of DMF's (yet)

our last motor was/is a 1998 the replacment is a 2010 DSG boxed Octavia.

However from observation of the driving habits within our local community both from the passenger seat & also the footway......... clutch misuse & abuse is endemic.

Plus observation within my workplace on tractors and in vans.

Mostly "riding" the clutch that is keeping ons foot on the clutch between changes or indeed all the time.......... more common than might be imagined and on the few occassions I have commented ( being responsible for the vehicles) the offender denies it so they realize it is wrong but they still do it.

The other "crime" is excessive revs due to the apparent inability to match clutch load to engine output that or the lack of the necessary fine motor skill needed to so modulate a clutch.

cheers

M

Subaru have 'hill-holder' clutches on many of their cars.

Mechanically it is little more than a ball in a tube that rolls back on an incline - if the brake is pressed while the clutch is depressed, one lifting one's foot from the brake (eg. to press the accelerator), the pressure is maintained in the brakelines preventing rollback.

Once the clutch rises to biting point the pressure is released and off you go - no stalling, no roll-back, no electrickery to go wrong.

Simples.

(And a normal lever for when a handbrake is required).

Wor Skoda got a proper handbrake ...........pity though about all those electronic gizmos associated wit der DSG

it is not exactley rocket science to conclude that neutral can only be for use when stationary if more than a few seconds ! Simples !!

Not only. I often coast in neutral - down long hills, approaching roundabouts, slip roads off dual carriageways and traffic lights [one click on handbrake just before stopping so not dazzle anyone behind].

That's how I get more than 30mpg from my 2.8V6 petrol engine. [admittedly a beautiful piece of engineering with 5 valves per cylinder for good gas flow]

Complex!!

Modern engines use more fuel in neutral (idling) than with closed throttles (nil used) although there will obviously be more engine braking in gear.

I know. But I have argued in another thread [coasting] that more energy is needed to keep the engine rotating at above idling speed than just at idling speed. Assuming your journey starts and finishes at the same level, all this energy is produced by burning fuel.

And holding the car on the clutch is doubly foolish because not only does it wear out the release bearing and plate, it uses extra energy because the clutch plate has to heat up because of friction.