11 replies to this topic

[minisilverbullet]

Maybe a stupid question.....

[willava182]

I can on mine, good or bad I'm not sure haha

[Gerbil367]

I take it you mean with the engine off?  Thats possible.  With it running - I have no idea, not something I have ever attempted although I have heard of mechanics who were able to change gear without using clutch (it was a long time ago though) going by the sound - obviously in league with the devil

[dklawson]

Yes.  You should be able to push the gear lever into any gear at any time... the question is how much noise will there be,  

 

Seriously, there is nothing to prevent you from pushing the lever into neutral at any time.  There are no interlocks or gates requiring that the clutch is pushed in/down.  

[waddle]

aslong as your going the right speed , ie rpm to road speed you dont need a clutch,

you can even start it in first on the starter and then drive without one,  if you want/need to/ playing the no clutch game  :)

[M J W J]

Yes. Its quite easy on any car if you lift of the accelerator before you do it.

 

You can get a car into gear without using the clutch if you have the revs correct.

 

I had to drive my Astra once without using the clutch as the clutch cable had come loose so it wouldn't disengage. Changing down is harder than changing up as you have to guess what rpm the engine needs to be doing for the new gear. The trick is to push the gear lever across so its almost going into gear and keep a little pressure against the gear stick but not enough to force it into gear, rev the engine and once the revs match it will slot into gear and then you can accelerate again. When changing up you can usually just put it into gear while your aren't on the accelerator.

[surfblue]

Was on a mini club run a few years ago when the clutch hydraulics failed. Managed to start it in gear and nursed it home using clutchless gear changes.

[Ethel]

Impressive, I've done the same but only in a diesel.

[Stiggytoo]

On the first day driving my mini, all 6 bolts on the clutch hub came loose (as the previous owner was a mong) and started rubbing up against the clutch plate preventing me from disengaging it. I drove it to my mates lockup with no crunching or fuss. We then changed the clutch so I could make it to the 2013 L2B mini run the next day. 

Only to break down due to a failed rotor arm....just after clearing the traffic.

[Cooperman]

On the road I usually change gear without using the clutch when driving my 1310 Cooper 'S'. It has a very heavy competition clutch and changing without using it cuts down wear on the thrust bearings. It's just a matter of practice.

I once had clutch failure with  Cortina 1600E and drove from Halifax to Hitchin without a clutch at all. It was not a problem really as I left at 04-00 hours and didn't stop at all until I got to some traffic lights. Then I knocked it out of gear and when the lights went green I put it in 1st, cranked the starter, it fired and off I went again.

[KernowCooper]

I used to recover cars which had clutch cable issues when I worked in a Vauxhall Main Dealer, practice

[minisilverbullet]

A good to know!

I knocked it out of gear by pure accident! And thought it was a bit weird, so purposefully tried it again.

You learn something new everyday it seems