poontz13

I just got my first 5 speed and I'm still learning how to really drive it. What is the difference in double clutching and just keeping the clutch in on a downshift until you bring the RPM up to speed then letting it out. Also, when I am trying to get good gas mileage, what are good easy driving shift points? I have a 99.5 2.8A4

audidood

easy driving = shifting at 3k rpms..

rootkid

Basically, double-clutching saves wear on the synchros in the gearbox.

Normally, as you shift into gear these little tapered rings (synchros) are 'engaged' and speed up the flywheel to match the (geared) speed of the drivetrain.

When you double-clutch, there is a moment where you have the clutch engaged (engine connected to flywheel) but with the gearbox in neutral (flywheel not connected to drivetrain). During this moment, you rev the engine just like you would while downshifting normally. However, since the clutch is engaged, the engine ends up spinning up the flywheel as well. If you get the speed of the flywheel just right, the synchros don't have any work to do when you subsequently engage the gear.

Not of much practical use for normal wear-and-tear though. The synchros in modern cars generally last for a long time.

I suppose I should also mention that double-clutching was much more important before synchros were invented -- you really couldn't shift without grinding the gears otherwise.

poontz13

thanks for the tips y'all

Black Sunshine

the throttle response on german cars is never quick enough, damn good quality heavy parts... oh well