[The_Ghost]

So I was intregued the other day when I went to lunch with a coworker who just bought a new VW Jetta TDI. He didn't use his clutch after he started moving. When I asked if it has ever caused any issues, he stated, you saw how many miles were on my other Jetta.....190k and never needed a clutch. He also never had any trans work done.

So me being the goofball that I am, and driving a stick since I was 16 (25+ years) and never tried clutchless shifting....decided to watch a "youtube" video and try it myself. I can honestly say that after just 3 rounds of shifting, I already have it down. My question is this. 1, 2 and 3 are EXTREMELY easy to do it with, but 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th is going to take some definite timing and work. Is there a secret to it in 4th and 5th? The window to shift seems to be about 1/4 of that in the other 3 gears. And before you all go yelling at me, I don't plan on doing this on regular drives! It's just something I want to know how to do in case my clutch ever goes out and I am some distance from home.

So let me clarify my questions. Is it even possible to shift from 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th in our cars without the clutch? Will I do any transmission damage to the car by doing this while I learn to get my shift points right?

 

[duckSol]

It is possible to upshift 2-5 and downshift to 4-1.

Forget me telling you how here, only in person.

In High School, a buddy and I cruised for girls his Daddy's Ford Cab over.
This is the way it was done back then.

 

[Brian15501]

It's still the way I do it in the truck. Tap the accelerator to break torque, pull the shifter out of gear, tap peddle again to hit the next gear. You'll need to raise the rpm's or lower them depending on whether you're up shifting or down shifting. I've made the mistake of absently trying it in the sol, coming out of gear works but going in doesn't,......for me anyways....:lol:

 

[cdnite]

Its just rev matching.

This is how I was taught to drive and they grill you on it at racing school. No problem with the Kappas at all. You just need a little practice to get the feel for the timing and do it right. Worst thing you can do is add some wear to the syncros. But it makes traffic way easier.

In high school I had a Fox Mustang and a Wrangler where the clutch cable broke and couldnt afford a new one so I bypassed the clutch switch started in first let the starter get the car rolling and rev matched each for a couple months till I could fixem. No worries at all.

--Christian

 

[Rusty Boltz]

I did it for many years in 18 wheelers, 5 speed, 7 speed, 9 speed, 10 speed. Haven't tried it in my SKY, but I know I could.

 

[rob the elder]

I did it on Military trackers too.

My personal opinion is that the majority of clutch wear occurs when starting fron a stop. Shifting on the move is not generally a large source of wear unless you are really hammering the throttle. And if you are matching RPMs while on the move it is even less likely to be a source for wear.

But, the syncros are already a known weak point and unless you are very good at matching RPMs, the potential for putting even more loads on the syncros is high.

Personally, I choose to use the clutch.

 

[chickenwire]

I surprised no one commented on all the videos being of shifting trucks. Then I realized they are still pertinent, as the Kappa's transmission IS a truck tranny. lol

Like other have commented, I learned to do this at a young age and it came in handy when my first vehicle, a Jeep, snapped it's clutch cable. Not only did I drive it home from school, I drove it back the next morning and then down to the parts store to get the new cable!

 

[CoolTech]

Just keep in mind that the consequence of accidentally doing it wrong - just one shift and you can permanently screw up a syncho and then it is a transmission-out repair. So, I totally agree - fun to do and to learn. Would I do it all of the time? No way.

 

[bill45005]

I did it for many years in 18 wheelers, 5 speed, 7 speed, 9 speed, 10 speed. Haven't tried it in my SKY, but I know I could.

drove commercial truck for 10 years (peterbuilt , and kenworths) they have non syc. tranny and a motor that has a usfull range of about a 1500 rpm from idle to full throtlle and rev slow so it is a lot different , after I read this I tried it in my sol it works but much harder to do . and a few missed shifts and you are talking some big $ repairs

 

[wspohn]

Just keep in mind that the consequence of accidentally doing it wrong - just one shift and you can permanently screw up a syncho and then it is a transmission-out repair. So, I totally agree - fun to do and to learn. Would I do it all of the time? No way.

Amen.

I've had to do it when my clutch slave went out 10 minutes into a 30 minute race, but there is no good reason to risk the gears for no real pay back if you don't have to.

 

[duckSol]

Amen.

I've had to do it when my clutch slave went out 10 minutes into a 30 minute race, but there is no good reason to risk the gears for no real pay back if you don't have to.

Very much true with synchros, so concentrate on the perfect shift with the clutch and perfect no lift shifts.

The only reason if find it useful right now is clod hopper work boots.