Is the Roewe RX5 transmission dry or wet?
3 Answers
Roewe RX5 1.5T models with automatic transmission are equipped with a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission; the 2.0T models are paired with a 6-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. The differences between wet and dry transmissions are as follows: 1. A dry clutch transmits power through direct contact of metal plates, providing more direct power transmission. When the metal plates are pressed together, the transmission ratio increases, resulting in more immediate and noticeable effects. In contrast, a wet clutch uses oil as an intermediary, requiring the driving plate to accelerate, increasing the centrifugal force of the oil, and then accelerating the driven plate. This additional step means the response speed is slightly slower. 2. Structurally, wet clutches are more complex, which leads to higher energy loss. As a result, wet dual-clutch transmissions have lower transmission efficiency, consuming more engine power. All else being equal, wet transmissions tend to have higher fuel consumption than dry ones. 3. The metal friction plates in dry clutches cannot withstand high torque. Excessive stress can easily damage the friction plates, limiting dry clutches to small-displacement, low-torque vehicles. Wet clutches, however, have no such limitations. They can handle everything from 1.5L displacement, 200N˙m family cars to 6.0L displacement, over 1000N˙m supercars.
The Roewe RX5 is typically equipped with a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission. As someone who has studied many cars, I can say that dry dual-clutch designs are compact, offer high transmission efficiency, provide noticeable fuel savings in urban driving conditions, and deliver fast gear shifts. However, their drawback is a tendency to overheat during prolonged traffic congestion, which can affect durability. Wet dual-clutch transmissions have better heat dissipation and are more suitable for frequent start-stop conditions. The first-generation Roewe RX5 used a dry clutch, but some upgraded models may have switched to a wet clutch. Owners are advised to check their manuals or pay attention to gear shift smoothness during test drives. For daily maintenance, avoid aggressive driving to prevent clutch wear.
My 2019 Roewe RX5 is equipped with a dry dual-clutch transmission. After four years of daily commuting, it delivers quick power response, but occasionally experiences gearshift hesitation in summer traffic jams. Dry types are indeed more economical than wet ones but are heat-sensitive. If you frequently drive long distances or in mountainous areas, I'd recommend opting for the wet version. Overall, DCT maintenance costs aren't high – I regularly service and inspect the clutch plates. Used car buyers should check the engine number to verify the year and configuration. For maintenance, avoid excessively long oil change intervals to prevent issues.
