What is the Difference Between Dry Clutch and Wet Clutch?
2 Answers
Dry clutch and wet clutch differ in their connection medium: The clutch plates of a dry clutch directly contact the engine flywheel, using air as the connection medium; whereas the clutch plates of a wet clutch are immersed in transmission fluid, using oil as the connection medium. A dry dual-clutch operates in a semi-engaged state without overheating, while a wet dual-clutch refers to a multi-plate clutch where two clutches, one large and one small, are coaxially installed together. The clutch, located between the engine and the transmission, acts as a switch for power transfer between them, functioning as a transmission mechanism that can both transmit and cut off power.
I've driven manual transmissions for over a decade, and the main difference between dry and wet clutches lies in their cooling methods. Dry clutch plates make direct contact, spinning freely like the blades of an electric fan at home—simple in structure and quick to cool. However, this design struggles with stop-and-go traffic where frequent partial engagement can overheat the friction plates, with a burnt smell serving as a warning sign. Wet clutches, on the other hand, are entirely submerged in transmission fluid, which absorbs heat to protect components, akin to cooling a hot potato in cold water. The trade-off is that fluid agitation consumes some power, making throttle response slightly slower. For everyday city driving, wet clutches in regular family cars are more worry-free, as they handle traffic light queues with ease.
