What are the disadvantages of a dry dual-clutch transmission?
3 Answers
The disadvantages of a dry dual-clutch transmission are poor wear resistance and transmission overheating. Here are some details about the disadvantages of a dry dual-clutch transmission: 1. Poor wear resistance: In congested traffic conditions with frequent stops and starts, the automatic transmission will frequently switch between first and second gears. The frequent engagement and disengagement of the clutch will lead to increased heat generation. This is especially problematic during high-temperature summer conditions when both the engine and transmission temperatures are elevated. 2. Transmission overheating: This can easily trigger an automatic lock. When the clutch overheats, it will display a high-temperature warning, and the transmission's protection program will activate, initiating self-protection measures that render the vehicle immobile. The car can only continue driving after the temperature has decreased.
As a seasoned car enthusiast who has driven many vehicles equipped with dry dual-clutch transmissions, the biggest drawback is their tendency to overheat in urban traffic congestion. The clutch plates heat up quickly due to friction, resulting in particularly noticeable gear-shift jerks. At low-speed acceleration, it feels like the car is convulsing. In terms of lifespan, they are much shorter than wet-clutch versions—a friend's car needed a clutch replacement after just two years, with high repair costs often running into thousands and parts being hard to find. Additionally, in stop-and-go environments, the control system frequently glitches, causing delayed or stuck gear shifts that severely impact the driving experience. While this transmission performs smoothly on open highways, it's genuinely not recommended for daily commuting, especially for city drivers often stuck in traffic. Opting for a wet-clutch or traditional automatic transmission is far more worry-free.
I used to drive a car with a dry dual-clutch transmission for my daily commute, but within just half a year, problems started to emerge constantly. In city traffic jams, the car frequently jerked, as if being shoved forward, and the engine noise was also loud. When I took it to the repair shop for inspection, the technician said the clutch was wearing out too quickly, and a single repair cost nearly ten thousand yuan. The jerking sensation was particularly noticeable at low speeds, with gear shifts being unsmooth, and prolonged driving made the handling feel unstable. The key issue was that this design wasn't suitable for frequent start-stop daily use, with short maintenance intervals and high costs. Eventually, I decisively switched to another type of transmission, making driving much more comfortable.
