[jean]

Hello everyone,

My first post, but was using forum for quite a bit before registration and after reading many many posts (really valuable) I read that when driving GS with CC one should change to neutral when on stop. I tested it and don't see any visible difference between staying on neutral and staying with gear on, but maybe there is something more to it (like more clutch wear).

Thanks in advance for clarification

 

[mosesbotbol]

I thought you keep it in 2nd to complete stop and it goes into neutral on its own?

 

[milanojess]

If you let it come down the gears as you go from driving speed to stopping, it will go thru few gear changes and it’s not the most comfortable ride with these early single clutch auto manual systems. You can pull paddle to drop to neutral as you come to stop to avoid the downshifts when around town. Then shift into first after stopping. That’s from comfort point of view. If you don’t already, get that dbw module, it’s a must for these cars. Other than that, think of driving it like a stick shift, use throttle to improve clutch engagement behavior, etc

 

[RJ237]

I like to think of it in terms of a manual clutch. If you come to a stop with it in gear then you have to keep your foot on the clutch pedal, so the throwout bearing is depressing the pressure plate fingers to keep the clutch from engaging. That's hard on the pressure plate and may be why there are failures.

I always shifted to neutral before the transmission would automatically begin downshifting if I was coming to a full stop, especially at a red light. Then go to 1st to pull away, but insuring that it actually is in gear before hitting the loud pedal.

 

[jean]

I like to think of it in terms of a manual clutch. If you come to a stop with it in gear then you have to keep your foot on the clutch pedal, so the throwout bearing is depressing the pressure plate fingers to keep the clutch from engaging. That's hard on the pressure plate and may be why there are failures.

I always shifted to neutral before the transmission would automatically begin downshifting if I was coming to a full stop, especially at a red light. Then go to 1st to pull away, but insuring that it actually is in gear before hitting the loud pedal.

I think it could be one of Your posts that inspired me to open this thread Is that really affecting clutch? What You're saying makes sense, but it still a little more hassle and I'm curious if others have similar thoughts and maybe even experiences if that really makes difference.

 

[jean]

If you let it come down the gears as you go from driving speed to stopping, it will go thru few gear changes and it’s not the most comfortable ride with these early single clutch auto manual systems. You can pull paddle to drop to neutral as you come to stop to avoid the downshifts when around town. Then shift into first after stopping. That’s from comfort point of view. If you don’t already, get that dbw module, it’s a must for these cars. Other than that, think of driving it like a stick shift, use throttle to improve clutch engagement behavior, etc

Yes, when upshifiting I always lift right foot a little bit. I think I will be getting DBW module, but waiting for December for christmas sale ( > ).

 

[tcrote5516]

Yes, when upshifiting I always lift right foot a little bit. I think I will be getting DBW module, but waiting for December for christmas sale ( > ).

Glad you said it. I wouldn't mind buying it myself but the cost for what it is seems way out of line. Maybe it made sense when these cars were $100k but given the resale value now I couldn't imagine spending that much on what amounts to a performance chip. When you can get a touchscreen/bluetooth/data logging performance tuner including software for $299 I just can't justify $1,300 for a non adjustable, 1 trick pony tuner.

 

[milanojess]

Well just because the car’s value dropped doesn’t mean you can buy new parts at fraction of retail...

Besides, you probably saved a lot for a $100k car, what’s $1300 to make it great?

 

[TBigs]

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/67057-impressive-clutch-life-so.html

 

[mjheathcote]

No need to be in neutral when stopping.
When in first gear, the clutch plates are released with no throttle input.
When in neutral, the clutch plates are released with engine running.
No benefit to clutch wear.

The only possibility for clutch wear when in first with no throttle input is if the clutch PIS point is not set up correctly and the clutch plates are not fully released causing drag. You know if you have this for the car will creep forward with no throttle input on a flat smooth surface.

 

[jean]

No need to be in neutral when stopping.
When in first gear, the clutch plates are released with no throttle input.
When in neutral, the clutch plates are released with engine running.
No benefit to clutch wear.

The only possibility for clutch wear when in first with no throttle input is if the clutch PIS point is not set up correctly and the clutch plates are not fully released causing drag. You know if you have this for the car will creep forward with no throttle input on a flat smooth surface.

So staying in gear while on stop is not equivalent to staying in gear in manual (traditional one) with clutch pushed down? Main is not creeping anywhere for that matter

 

[Catmanv2]

So staying in gear while on stop is not equivalent to staying in gear in manual (traditional one) with clutch pushed down? Main is not creeping anywhere for that matter

Correct. Lord knows why but Mike is correct, the clutch is opened in Neutral.

C

 

[mjheathcote]

Yes, when upshifiting I always lift right foot a little bit. I think I will be getting DBW module, but waiting for December for christmas sale ( > ).

If all is functioning correctly there should be no reason to lift slightly when upshifting.
In fact, Maserati say you shouldn't.
Watch the official video I uploaded 5 years ago!

http://youtu.be/_gV-J1OF_t4

 

[Mortifer]

DBW is definitely a must have and makes a difference! If you are in north Poland I could show you on my GS.

 

[tcrote5516]

Well just because the car’s value dropped doesn’t mean you can buy new parts at fraction of retail...

At $1,300 believe me, there's plenty of meat on the margin bone. In fact at half that price I believe it's still severely overpriced though I would consider buying it. They cannot cost more than $100 to manufacture. Again, if it was a fair price I believe the volume would offset the lower sales price but that's just my opinion as a potential buyer that will stay potential as I'm not willing to spend 10% of my cars value on a nice-to-have.

 

[jean]

If all is functioning correctly there should be no reason to lift slightly when upshifting.
In fact, Maserati say you shouldn't.
Watch the official video I uploaded 5 years ago!

http://youtu.be/_gV-J1OF_t4

I have to see this video when I will have available 15 minutes. Looks really promising!

DBW is definitely a must have and makes a difference! If you are in north Poland I could show you on my GS.

Oh, nice! I live in southern area (Śląsk) so it's a bit away - I will try to manage some time to drop by! Great to know there are some homies right here

At $1,300 believe me, there's plenty of meat on the margin bone. In fact at half that price I believe it's still severely overpriced though I would consider buying it. They cannot cost more than $100 to manufacture. Again, if it was a fair price I believe the volume would offset the lower sales price but that's just my opinion as a potential buyer that will stay potential as I'm not willing to spend 10% of my cars value on a nice-to-have.

Still, You don't pay only for manufacturing cost, but for thought and time put in. I think that price, even high, still offsets clutch life alone not to mention better experience (which it is from what I read).

 

[Lorenz-06MT]

Everyone may have a different opinion but when i had my Gransport i lifted off the gas when upshifting. Regardless of what the manual says, seems like to me when i let off the gas the clutch falls into place, so therefore less friction

 

[milanojess]

This system is relatively unintelligent so that behavior differ from car to car. The same config, for example, same PIS setting will not result exact behavior on two identical cars. Find the way for a quick and smooth shift and I don’t think you can go wrong with that.

In my case I also lift glass just slightly like Lorenz did for best experience

And adding to what Jean sez, it’s not just some electronics you are paying for, it’s the expertise and knowledge and improvements that you pay for, for a tiny little niche market of ours.

 

[lcdave]

If you drove two identical cars with one priced at 25k and the other at 26500 but had the DBWEM, you would not only buy the more expensive car,you would also wonder what's wrong with the cheaper car. It seems expensive outright, but the difference would without a doubt make the car drive so much better it seems like a bargain. Find someone that has it and drive with it on and bypassed and you will quickly understand.

 

[Frari]

I generally lift off slightly when changing gear. I just find it smoother and less stress on the clutch imo. I also go into neutral when coming to lights etc when 50- 100 mtrs out as brakes are cheaper than clutches or gears. Seems superfluous to have the car change back from 4th to 3rd to 2nd to first just for a red light.