While a dual-clutch transmission doesn’t drive much differently from a standard automatic, the system behind the smooth, rapid shifts between gears is far more like a manual and far more complex. Without proper treatment, you could cause lasting damage to the transmission that may be costly to repair. You should treat any transmission with care, but it’s particularly important to avoid certain habits when it comes to Dual-Clutch transmissions. If you own a car with a DSG, CVT, Powershift or another dual-clutch transmission, avoid these habits to improve the longevity of your vehicle:

Putting Your Car In Neutral

If you’re used to driving a manual car, you could be in the habit of putting your car into neutral whenever you stop, including at red lights or in standstill traffic. The clutch system will automatically release when you’re pressing on the brake, so switching out of drive and into neutral does very little for your car and in some cases, can lead to increased or accelerated wear over time. If you do need to put the car in neutral, make sure the brake remains pressed when shifting in and out of neutral in order to best protect the clutch. 

Taking Your Foot Off The Brake When Stationary

While you shouldn’t sit in neutral, you should sit with your foot on the brake, or your car in park if you aren’t moving for some time. When waiting in traffic or for a light to change, your DCT will be under pressure and ultimately will wear down the clutch pack faster. The brakes prevent the DCT clutches from continually slipping and more effectively keep you in place while ensuring that you stay in place. Leaving your car to sit without any brakes will put unnecessary pressure, heat and therefore wear on the clutch and ultimately lead to a premature need for replacement.

Don’t Keep Your Car In Place With The Accelerator

If you’re in the habit of keeping your vehicle in place on an incline using the accelerator, now is the time to stop that habit. While most manual or automatic transmissions can survive this, dual-clutch systems are prone to overheating when put through that kind of pressure. Whether you’re accelerating or reversing to stay still, you could cause excess heat in your clutch system which will lead to premature wear and tear, and potentially the need for repair sooner than you expect. 

Improper Set-Off

It can be tempting to accelerate at full speed every time you set off when you have a powerful engine and a smooth clutch, but doing this, or setting off incorrectly at all, could cause some serious damage to your transmission. While it’s tempting to launch from a standstill, you should avoid holding the brake pedal while revving the gas, and ensure that you aren’t putting too much pressure on the acceleration from the offset. Doing so could lead to some lasting and problematic damage to your gearbox and the clutch discs. 

If you have a vehicle with a DSG, Powershift, CVT or other dual-clutch gearbox systems, we are on hand to help. Whether you’re facing problems or simply need to book in for a repair, get in touch with a member of our team for more information, today.