Step to Protect and Driving Habits to Protect Dual Clutch Gear Box
What is a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)?
To keep your dual clutch transmission (DCT) functioning correctly, you will want to educate and understand how this modern transmission operates first. The DCT is built to merge both manual transmission efficiency with automatic convenience. This happens because there are two clutches associated with the DCT; One is for odd-numbered gears, and the other is for even-numbered gear sets. The use of two separate clutches will allow for smooth and quick shifting of gears. Ultimately, this dual clutch system will provide the vehicle with greater fuel efficiency and performance thereby contributing to its widespread use in today’s automobiles.
While there are many advantages associated with the use of a DCT; it is also much more sensitive to input than traditional automatic transmissions. A DCT is dependent on your driving style/behavior to function properly. In contrast, a traditional torque converter will withstand poor driver habits, while a DCT will not. You can expect to encounter problems such as overheating, weak clutch engagement due to slippage, or jerky vehicle motion if the driver does not comprehend how to capitalize on the full capabilities of this type of transmission. Consequently, it is not only beneficial to develop these good habits, but also critical.
Issues Associated With A Dual Clutch Transmission
Many problems are caused by how a driver uses their dual-clutch transmission system (DCT); the most common of which is overheating. This is usually the result of being in stop-and-go traffic, where the car is continuously starting and stopping and the clutch often ends up partially engaged during slow speeds. The result of this prolonged engagement is excessive heat caused by friction on the clutches over time, which ultimately leads to reduced clutch functionality.
Another major issue associated with DCTs is premature clutch wear. Since the clutches are of friction type material, improper driving behaviors such as
- creeping forward when the brakes are effectively depressing,
- riding on the brake can lead to significantly increased rates of wear on those components, resulting in costly repairs or replacements later on.
Being jerky when driving is another common complaint with DCT systems. Jerky driving occurs mainly from the driver using inconsistent throttle input and/or driving aggressively. As a result of these two factors, the transmission is unable to react adequately and adapt as it would like resulting in harsh and uncomfortable shifting while placing excessive mechanical strain on both the transmission and clutch assembly. Therefore it is imperative that drivers are educated on how to properly use and take care of their dual clutch transmission systems as this will directly impact their DCT’s long term viability.
Steps for Driving Safety and Protection of Dual Clutch Gearbox
To ensure the long life of your DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) gearbox, you must practice safe and careful driving. A very common habit that needs to be broken is riding the brake pedal. Many people leave their left foot hovering near the brake pedal or keeping their right foot lightly on the brake while crawling along in slow-moving traffic. In these situations, the clutch is partially engaged and creating unnecessary friction and heat. As an alternative, you should either come to a full stop or let the vehicle move freely without having your foot on the brake.
Another safe driving technique is shifting the vehicle into neutral while waiting at a stop light or when the traffic is stationary for an extended period. By keeping the vehicle N gear, with your foot on the brake, you are continuing to put unnecessary stress on the clutch. By shifting into neutral, you remove this stress and allow the system to cool.
You should also practice smooth throttle application when accelerating from a stop. If you aggressively apply the gas pedal, the gearbox will aggressively attempt to downshift to match engine speed. This will create additional wear on the internal components. If you apply the gas pedal smoothly while accelerating from a stop, you will allow the system to function more efficiently and put less stress on the clutch.
How To Maintain Your Dual-Clutch Transmission
To make sure that your DCT lasts for as long as possible, you must properly maintain it by doing regular checks on the transmission fluid because it cools, lubricates and purposes, etc. Over time the fluid becomes degraded and does not perform as well as when it was fresh. It is very important to replace this fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendation found in the owner’s manual.
In addition to regular routine maintenance and replacing transmission fluid, you also need to keep the software updated for your vehicle’s DCT. Manufacturers will occasionally send out updates to the DCT system to make changes that improve the quality of gear shifting and overall functionality. Keeping your vehicle’s software updated will help the performance of your vehicle by making operations much smoother and more reliable.
You should never neglect scheduled maintenance; by doing so you can help identify problems before they become major problems. Catching problems early in the maintenance process can save you lots of money on repairs and keep your DCT protected from unnecessary wear and tear.
Driving Mistakes That Damage DCT
The dual-clutch gearbox can become severely damaged due to aggressive driving behavior. Taking off quickly from a stop using full acceleration, rapidly decelerating from high speed to a stop, or performing extreme speed changes between gears in too short of a period of time puts an excessive amount of stress on the entire system, leading to premature wear and decreasing performance capability.
Another common mistake concerning proper gear shifting occurs when a person shifts from drive to reverse (or vice versa) while not completely stopped. This shifting habit will place extraordinary amounts of stress upon the gearbox and can create significant internal damage.
Failing to monitor for warning signs is another area that can lead to problems with the gearbox system. If you hear unusual noises, experience delayed or stuck gear shifting, or see warning lights lit on your dashboard, you should take action immediately. Allowing these issues to go unrepaired for long can cause more serious damage and produce a greater expense to repair.
