Should a car with a wet dual-clutch transmission be shifted to neutral when waiting at a traffic light?
3 Answers
A car with a wet dual-clutch transmission does not need to be shifted to neutral when waiting at a traffic light. A wet dual-clutch refers to a dual-clutch transmission where the clutch plates are immersed in transmission oil. The functions of the transmission are: 1. Changing the transmission ratio; 2. Expanding the torque and speed of the driving wheels; 3. Enabling the car to reverse; 4. Facilitating gear shifting or power output. The maintenance methods for the transmission include: 1. Changing the automatic transmission oil every 12 months or 20,000 kilometers; 2. Avoiding coasting in neutral; 3. Regularly checking the oil level; 4. Avoiding skipping gears when upshifting; 5. Not forcing the transmission into neutral; 6. Not shortening the idle warm-up time; 7. Avoiding gear grinding when shifting; 8. Cleaning the transmission; 9. Not driving immediately after starting without warming up; 10. Regularly servicing the automatic transmission.
I've found that for cars with wet dual-clutch transmissions, shifting to Neutral (N) at traffic lights is safer. This is because in Drive (D) mode, the dual-clutch system keeps the clutch partially engaged, which may cause slight creeping sensation - especially on slopes, increasing rear-end collision risks. I personally experienced such an accident. When shifted to N, the clutch fully disengages, keeping the car completely stationary and eliminating unintended movement chances. Though wet designs offer better cooling, prolonged D mode operation causes continuous clutch plate friction, generating heat and wear that impacts transmission lifespan. I recommend developing the N-shift habit, particularly in urban traffic - switch to N when waiting over 10 seconds. This practice proves both convenient and reliable. Ultimately, safety comes first. Don't risk convenience - a lesson I learned from veteran drivers that works effectively. The minor effort of shifting pays dividends in protection and longevity.
I believe it's best to shift a wet dual-clutch transmission car into Neutral (N) gear when waiting at traffic lights, mainly to protect transmission components. When stopped in Drive (D) gear, the clutch plates in a dual-clutch transmission remain under constant pressure, and frequent start-stop cycles accelerate wear. Having driven dual-clutch cars for several years, I can clearly feel significantly reduced vibrations when in N gear, plus a slight fuel economy improvement since the engine doesn't need to output extra power to push against the transmission. Wet clutches benefit from oil cooling, offering better heat dissipation than dry types. However, keeping the brake pedal depressed continuously at stops over time accelerates clutch wear, and repair costs aren't cheap. I've also read discussions on automotive forums where many owners shared clutch replacement experiences - there's consensus that regularly using N gear extends service life. Especially in urban stop-and-go conditions, prioritizing momentary convenience over proper maintenance risks damaging the vehicle. Paying attention to these maintenance details is always wise.
