Waiting at traffic lights with the clutch depressed - a killer for the release bearing?

Hi!

My release bearing failed after 70,000 km, and the entire clutch was replaced (the old clutch disc still looked good, so I kept it for future use).

In an ADAC magazine, I read that you shouldn't rest your foot on the clutch pedal while waiting at a traffic light, as this will cause the clutch release bearing to wear out prematurely. On the other hand, my gear shift is a bit stiff, especially (sometimes) the first gear. If I only start to engage the gear when the light turns 'green,' I experience a 1-2 second delay.

Therefore, here are a few questions for the experts:

1.) Was a proper storage system not included from the factory? I could have also paid the extra 50 euros. Why are they saving money there?
2.) Do you all also start walking only when the light turns 'green'? Sure, no problem with a sporty, smooth-shifting transmission, but what about one that's clunky?
3.) Is it possible to optimize and lubricate the gear linkage? Vehicle: Lupo SDI

Thank you in advance for your answers.
Sure, here's the translation:

'Hello.'

I read that article, but not on the ADAC website.
Since I drive a lot, I've gotten into the habit of taking the car out of gear at red lights whenever I'm not in the lead. By the time the cars in front of me start moving on green, I've already put the car in first gear, and the diesel engine revs up quickly again. I only leave the car in gear if I'm the first one at a traffic light, unless I know the traffic light sequence and can be sure I can disengage the clutch again.
However, I find it strange that it takes 2 seconds to engage the gears. My first gear sometimes hesitates, but I often realize that I haven't fully depressed the clutch pedal.

However, if the circuit is inherently unreliable from the start, you'll probably just have to live with it. I highly doubt that greasing the shaft will achieve anything.
Sometimes the rod is slightly bent or the various bushings are worn out. This applies to a rod linkage system, but I don't know what you have. Jerky movement can also be caused by the transmission.

1. 50 euros more? In the automotive industry, they often haggle over cents. Of course, it would be possible to design all components to last for a certain mileage, for example, 500,000 km. However, that would make the car unaffordable.
2. I put the car in first gear when the traffic light turns yellow, or when the pedestrian crossing light turns red, or when I otherwise sense that it's about to turn green.
3. Hmm, gear linkage or shift cables? I'm not sure if the Lupo SDI has a linkage system or a cable-operated gear shift. I would definitely have the alignment checked.

Okay, so if you're waiting at a red light with the clutch pressed in, it's no surprise when...
The bearing is worn out after only 70,000 km. That's not what the warehouse is for.
I often disengage the clutch even during short pauses, and when going downhill, I disengage it without using the clutch to protect the clutch bearing.

If your gearbox is making noises or not shifting smoothly, I would investigate the cause.
Lubricate the cables or linkages of the shifting mechanism, or even better, grease them.
Lubricate the shifting mechanism slider on the new Moselle bikes.
It is also advisable to use fully synthetic gear oil (which is standard in newer cars).
and to add a gear oil additive to improve shifting.

To the best of my knowledge, Lupo SDI models have shift cables.

Best regards.

There's the YELLOW phase for starting to move!

I never leave the car in gear while waiting at a traffic light either!

When the light turns yellow, I shift into first gear, and when it turns green, it's already in gear!

Thank you for the previous answers.

There's the YELLOW phase for putting the car in gear!

'Sorry, but the light here is extremely short, maybe just a fraction of a second. By the time I even register that the light turned yellow, it's already green. Even with the utmost concentration, I'd only be able to press the clutch pedal down just as it turns green.' But most of the time, I don't really feel like concentrating either.

But the idea of adding fat to it is a good one. A friend of mine thinks that it might be possible to adjust something so that it doesn't feel so clunky.

Speaking of transmissions: Nowadays, transmission fluid is designed to last the entire lifespan of a car. Does it still make sense to change the transmission fluid? Can this help to reduce friction losses and improve shifting comfort?

Sure, here's the translation:

'Hello.'

Hello!

I'm also currently considering having the transmission fluid changed.
That doesn't belong here. There have already been several posts about that.

Best regards, D.

ideeAlist wrote:

Speaking of transmissions: Nowadays, transmission fluid is designed to last the entire lifespan of a car. Does it still make sense to change the transmission fluid? Can this help to reduce friction losses and improve shifting comfort? greeting

If you have mineral-based gear oil, I would recommend switching to synthetic gear oil.
Otherwise, I wouldn't make a change.
"I checked the oil level in my A3 for the first time after 165,000 km, and the oil looked like new. Only about 100 ml were missing, which is exactly the amount of additive I had added." Since then, the transmission has been shifting better than when it was new.

That's interesting. What is the name of this additive, and how much does it cost? Does it also damage the shaft seals?

Unfortunately, I don't know whether I have mineral oil or synthetic oil in it. My Lupo was manufactured in 1998.

If your car is a 1998 model, it likely uses fully synthetic oil.

I strongly suspect that you have the same type of clutch and the rest of the shifting mechanism as I do.
Please provide the text you would like me to translate from German to English. I will only provide the translation, without any explanations. Mine is from 1997, and that procedure was due for that model.

The best way is to have someone sit in the car with the engine off and shift through the gears while pressing the clutch, while another person lubricates the shift linkage with oil or grease (be careful of the fingers ).

Unfortunately, I don't know what this amazing device is called.
"For example, does ATU sell it in a white tube that is twisted at the front, and not..."
refillable.

Sure, here's the translation:

"Best regards."

Check this out: www.slick50.com

You should be able to find it there. They also sell it at ATU. I think Heahnlein tried it, and if I remember correctly, it had amazing effects!

However, in my opinion, the control cables and ropes, etc., should be easy to operate and properly adjusted. I think that's the solution to the problem!

joergs wrote:

look at this: www.slick50.com

I have it too! But the price in Germany is outrageous! In the USA, this stuff is extremely cheap.

Hello!!
"I'm also having extreme problems with a transmission in a Polo 6N SDI! These transmissions are failing left and right; they're simply terrible. It's always been jerky, and at 180,000 km, it finally gave up. The replacement transmission is already showing the same issues. The transmission is so incredibly small that it only has two shafts inside, and all the gears are located on those shafts."
The release bearing will naturally wear out as long as you keep your foot on the clutch pedal, because it's engaged and rotating during that time.
Just try putting in some full synthetic transmission fluid, it might improve things.
"gruzz da mozz" translates to "greetings from mozz" in English.

No, I didn't mean Slick 50.
It only protects the metal surfaces from wear and doesn't help with shifting gears more easily.
I don't have much of a positive opinion of those "Wunderbrühe" (miracle broth) sauces. I mean, if anything were to fail, it would be the synchronizer rings that would wear out, not the metal surfaces of the gears.

IdeaList vehicles do not require synthetic oil because it is already included from the factory.

Hello!
If this was truly full synthetic from the factory, why does it smell so rancid?
Furthermore, there are also significant quality differences in full synthetics, and the viscosities vary greatly; take a look at that!
Sure, here's the translation:

"gruzz" translates to "greetings" or "regards" in English. It's a casual way of saying hello or goodbye.

Hello,

Attached is the factory-installed equipment list for the Lupo.

5-speed manual transmission (models 02J, 002, 02T, 085, 085 DS): G 50 SAE 75W-90 (synthetic oil).