DCT: Will Towing Kill Your Dual Clutch Transmission? | Auto Expert John Cadogan

I’m John Cadogan from AutoExpert.com.au - the place where Aussie new car buyers save thousands off their next new cars. Hit me up on the website for that. autoexpert.com.au/contact
This question is from Paul.
I am thinking of buying a new Hyundai Kona Highlander 1.6T but I occasionally tow a box trailer to the local tip. Will this affect the DCT in the vehicle as I have seen your video on the different types of transmissions and how to break them?
Long story short: The most common enquiries I get about dual-clutch transmissions or DCTs - what Volkswagen calls DSGs - are about the Hyundai 1.6 turbo petrol engine in Tucson, Kona and i30 (and also the baby diesel in i30).
Hyundai DCTs seem pretty robust - I don’t get owner complaints about them.
But they can be killed if you presume your DCT is an auto transmission and therefore abuse the clutch. So let’s sort this out.
Kona is rated to tow a maximum of 1300kg (max). A box trailer to the tip will be less than half that (because Kona’s limit for unbraked trailers is 600 kilos), so Paul’s is a very conservative proposed towing assignment. And he’s not going to be doing it that often, most likely - because most people don’t have a trailer-load of used rubber adult products (or whatever) to dump each week.
What you need to watch with DCTs is riding the clutch. Obviously the clutch is automated, and the 11th Commandment - the one Moses fumbled and dropped - is ‘thou shalt not inch forward under load’ (meaning: at a speed so low it does not allow the clutch to engage properly in first or reverse).
Because if you commit the venial sin of expecting the clutch to transmit a lot of load before it fully engages, the parts will rub together hard. There’s going to be a lot of heat. And friction-based devices like clutches and brakes all have a limit to the amount of heat they can reject. And when you generate more heat than that, they die.
If you’ve driven a manual you know what I mean. Riding the clutch fills the car with that distinctive ‘barbecued clutch’ smell, at the same time as it fills your monthly budget with a black hole of mechanical accountability.
Obviously there is a (slow) speed around walking pace below which you need to start to slip the clutch or the engine will start to labour and eventually stall. With the automated clutch in the DCT, at these slow speeds the computer automatically intervenes to keep the engine from stalling by slipping the clutch. This is what you must avoid.
You can feel this easily as you drive on a DCT. It’s patently obvious when the clutch is not yet fully engaged. Especially under load.
The key-word here is 'under load'. Think: trailer-gravity-hill plus ‘slower than walking pace’ equals ‘repair bill you cannot jump over’. I’d suggest the easiest place on earth to destroy the clutch is reversing a loaded trailer (boat, caravan - whatever) up a steep, convoluted driveway.
For the clutch - this is like waking up in hospital and seeing Dr Kevorkian at the bedside. That’s never a good omen.
In my view, this vulnerability to damage is not a design defect any more than riding the clutch in a manual and killing it prematurely is a design defect. So if you kill the clutch this way, it’s not going to be a warranty job.
I do, however, think the car industry really needs to do a better job getting the word out there on this. Saying ‘it’s in the owner’s manual’ is a bit of a cop-out.
Remember that this limitation only pertains to inching forward (or in reverse) at a speed so low it does not allow the lowest gear to engage fully. You can drive normally on a DCT all day long with a trailer behind, in stop-start traffic, no problem. Normal takeoffs in traffic - hill starts, etc. - minus the trailer are also no problem. It’s not especially fragile.
I strongly advocate the use of the vehicle's 'auto hold' function to make those hill starts easier. You also need to remember that the transmission - like the rest of the car - is designed in the case of Kona for 1300kg trailer GVMs.

[@mrflamewars]

I upvote every fucking one of Cadogan's videos because even if I am not interested in the subject matter they are presented so intelligently and so well done. I live just north of Memphis, TN where people are, being honest, a bit stupid. It's really refreshing to find something that is done well and by someone who has some fucking sense.

[@knightrider1545]

@MrThePrivateer what makes them "stupid" idc how long your response is .

[@udmbfckx2916]

Tennesucks has the worst people....in both public and private arenas they won't even hire people from their adjacent states, no matter how good they are or how many qualifications they have....that is how they keep their 'mentality' intact, kind of like Japan.....Having said that, places like Erwin TN, in a valley like setting surrounded by mountains are cheap to live in, which may be a blessing if you would like to retire in isolation.

[@deanmanly7622]

Showing my age my first car was an automatic a Austin Tasman. A shit box. My father made me buy it. I chose my my cars from then on. Never again an automatic. My next car was a LJ Torana 186 S a 1974 model This car back in the mid 80s Chewed up & spat out V8s in stock form. It had a 3 speed impala floor shift manual as a kid.

[@Megarobotsquadron]

And for the record, That DSG was WAY more fun to drive than my current CVT equipped outback

[@clyntk]

John, One of the best explanations on how to drive a vehicle with a DCT.

[@usaverageguy]

Your most informative video ever. I have always believed that a duel clutch transmission was a new form of automatic transmission. Probably because it is a transmission and it is automatic. But now that you have done the car dealers job, I understand the difference. Thanks John.

[@GarretKrampe]

I love your sense of The Ironic.

[@Rheisler1475]

just bought a 2020 Kona Limited, thank you John for the info. I am loving the car so far

[@RichieRouge206]

Good video John, very informative

[@geza96]

Thanks John , I’m feel smarter everyday

[@deadfreightwest5956]

I want to watch Full Metal Jacket, now. Thanks, John!

[@BruceHoult]

I hired a car in San Francisco last week and proceeded to do the tourist thing. Ford Focus automatic. When I was driving in heavy traffic up the hills in downtown San Francisco (e.g. the famous ones with the cable cars) it was constantly putting up a "Transmission overheating stop safely for 5 min" message EVEN THOUGH I was putting it in neutral with the handbrake on whenever the traffic stopped, and letting the car in front move 10 or 15 m before I started and caught it and stopped again (any more and people behind would honk). It never actually failed but I'm glad it wasn't my car! What on earth are they thinking renting such a car out at SFO??

[@John..18]

Just found your channel, great stuff,, very informative and highly amusing,, wish we had a no bullshit guy like you here in the UK,,, all the best, John,,

[@A.K.B1191]

Just bought evo x mr. DCT excellent especially in supersport mode. Planning to do mods to it, basically changing the ECU & exhaust system. After owning RWD & FWD vehicles it is like driving a suped-up gocart. luv the handling.

[@pagey1950]

Great advice as usual.

[@JoshL1]

Love the flamingo shirt 👍great video as always John.

[@arwedlang3702]

Once again John Cadogan, THANK YOU for another educational session and this time with a DCT....wow...Yes, I am also a mechanical engineer (like you) I sure understand all facets of ALL your different videos...They sure are soooooo....good and sooooo valuable (to say the least) I have just changed from a LST DMax (60,000 km) to a new GWM Cannon X. Indeed it too has a DCT so, thanks to you, I now do know HOW I am safe to tow my 2.6-tonne caravan (slowly hill up or down)..... safely. The new Cannon X in fact has a LOW- RANGE... (Unlike most cars) Which means I can slowly pull (or push) my heavy load without DCT damage....wow.....There are sooooo many features with the new Cannon that indeed I prefer this vehicle instead of the "all new" DMax X....by a mile!.......So, long story short...I hope soon you do come up with an assessment of the ALL-NEW CANNON X.....eg this is NOT written by a bean counter Cheers John! AND, thanks again!

[@MothershipVideos]

Great explanation thanks John.

[@paulb9453]

John Cadogan is the best car presenter, on any subject, on any media, from a Top Gear Fan in the UK!

[@AutoExpertJC]

Thank you very much, Paul.

[@gypsyfreek]

The DCT in my Clio RS seems pretty good and I've had no problem with it in the last 2.5 years. I researched it before buying and saw the warnings of using it like and auto. No sneaking at the lights. Parking on hills minimally. At least it has hill start assist as most cars should have anyway, whether DCT, manual or old slushbox.

[@anthonylucca6759]

gypsyfreek I vouch for the EDC in my Clio RS too. However, I know it has the same mechanicals as a Ford Powershift with different electronics so I hope it will remain as reliable as it has been so far (more than three years).

[@alexk2418]

Spot on!👍👌

[@scottsummers819]

My old manual Hilux (98) was still on the original clutch at 340,000 kms when I sold it. Build it right and respect the equipment and it will last a long time. From Johns video's about DCT's I am seriously suspect about buying anything with a DCT. Sometimes older and simple is just plain better.

[@TheOzthewiz]

Yes, if manual transmissions become extinct, I am getting a horse and buggy!

[@Stanwis]

DCT make sense only in Performance Cars - Hothatches and so on. In normal day to day driving standard Automatic is best option.

[@shutthegate8232]

haha, love the gunny reference.

[@Megarobotsquadron]

Yeah, my first car was a dsg diesel sportwagon and I had NO idea that it wasn't a traditional automatic until I got it home and did some reason. No one at the dealer mentioned anything about it.

[@DogsBAwesome]

Being able to take a trailer to the tip, I remember that.

[@maxregal8889]

brian whittle As a kid the tip was always my happy place. I feel sorry for today's young people.

[@myguydied]

maxregal the tip was an adventure - even if it stank like hell Fond memories of junk in the back of a station wagon - amongst my other fond station wagon memories Speaking of which who was the fwit who decided to start calling them "shooting brakes" - closest you can get to the old "shooting brace" is a land rover troop carrier

[@ayenunu]

Well explained.. Excellent!!!

[@leftatedsa]

John, I like your video, very informative and full of logic. I have just picked up a Suzuki Vitara S Turbo with a DCT. I researched this for many months and had two extensive test drives. I'm very confident with the DCT technology especially with a smaller Turbo engine and a body that weighs 1100 kgs. The technology is exciting so is the potential economy. I'm more than happy to change my driving habits in traffic and feel that I could make a decision to drive forward when the road is clear rather than 'creep' forward in an anxious attempt to gain a few inches ahead of the other guy.

[@andersriksson100]

@leftatedsa do you still have your Vitara 1.4 Turbo and does it really have a DCT? I thought that model, at least the AWD had a traditional automatic with a converter?

[@leftatedsa]

@@andersriksson100 Yes I do. It’s a 2017 front wheel drive with a DCT. It drives smoothly and economically. A well made little SUV with adequate room for average size adults. No mechanical issues to date.

[@andersriksson100]

@@leftatedsa Thanks for the input, yes the Vitara seems like a good little SUV. Maybe the front wheel drive have a different gear box than the AWD. Still a bit hesitant to DCTs since VWs (old and past?) DSG problems with slow stop-and-go driving in jamed cities and towing trailers regularily... They can do it of course but it seems that the technology isn't the best in the long run for regular towing.

[@leftatedsa]

@@andersriksson100 towing is a different issue.DCT transmissions need to be understood as the gearbox is actually manual but the twin clutches are automatic. Clutch slip and premature wear is apparent when towing if it is treated like a typical torque converter auto box. Reversing a towed trailer up a driveway needs careful application of power. Forward motion is not really a problem, just don’t creep forward. Allow space in front of your vehicle and allow the car to engage 1st positively. Occasional towing is just fine but consistent towing if loads DCTs may not be up to the strain and wear.

[@andersriksson100]

@@leftatedsa Yes and I wanted to highlight that. Read many statments during the years about problems with DCT gear boxes like DSG and to me that must be because people in reality don't drive, treat them the way they should. A lot of ppl here in Sweden tow, boats, trailers and caravans and it seems many of they treat them as an auto with a torque converter and those in traffic jams they do the same, they creep forward with the brakes 1-2 hours on a daily basis commuting to work, can't be healthy för the longevity of a DCT... But I don't think Swedes treat DCT worse than others, maybe most or at least too many after reading the manual initially forget about it later on or get lazy? I mean if all drive, understod their DCT correctly there would be no issues, premature problems but there are. Read about a class action law suit in Canada regarding failiure with hyundai/Kia DCT's, though I don't know if that was specifically related to failing clutches. The DSG also has a mechatronic unit, a TCU that can fail prematurely and it aint' cheap to change. Other DCTs will likely have an equal part. Seems to be a few pieces in a or some DCT's that can fail prematurely maybe it's still too delicate for certain use and users? Does that really make it ready for the market? I'm still hesitant and blame VW, they released a product that wasn't ready for the market back in the day. I hope it's better now but won't trust the producers word for it.

[@murrieteacher]

We had a tow point fitted to the front of the vehicle on the bull bar. The bar was designed to take that load as it also had a winch installed with a rated tow/drag number. But this was a 1st gear only attachment and made for an easy park of our boat, van, trailer and eased the load on the transmission. Being able to see where the attachment was going cut the parking job down from 15 minutes to 2 minutes. And I have a HR license with 40 years of articulated driving. Have you ever wondered why it is easy to park a semi? That is because the wheelbase of the truck is an even number when you divide the truck wheelbase into the trailer length. That doesn't happen with your box trailer, van or boat trailer.

[@TubesWidener]

Excellent

[@WatsitTooyah]

Curious how this information applies to an Ioniq hybrid or plug-in. If the torquey electric motor helps out at low speeds, does this effectively protect it even while towing?

[@gildardomagallon]

i love his ideology on this subject! :D great logic

[@shaenni9122]

John. You should do a video driving test on towing with the dct?

[@lloydcisco3027]

Your right on .

[@rajTrondhjem10]

Thanks John.. Can I inch forward/backward in a 2017 Subaru Impreza under load? How to kill the Impreza's drive train?

[@NearTheLimits]

As long as it's wet and lubricated, the ride will be smooth. The latest dry DSG gearboxes from VW tend to jerk in second gear, I've heard.

[@myguydied]

Albert Zion probably designed to match well with the jerk driving it Ok thats only true for golf owners (you know which ones)

[@rbruce63]

Will stop and go traffic in hilly roads fry the DCT on my 2012 Volvo S60T4? What can I do to cool the transmission provided that’s there is something I can do?

[@Delkomo]

What about driving a DCT car in start-1G-stop kind of traffic for 1-2 h everyday? Would that slower-than-walking speed wear the clutch easier than it would in a manual transmission?

[@arlendavis]

Can I tow a Dual Clutch Transmission Four-Down behind a RV like a Manual Transmission?

[@MenAtWorkMedia22]

Thank's, John!

[@rodm2008]

I am thinking of upgrading my Renault Kangoo Petrol with torque converter auto for the new Kangoo with EDC. Do their EDC suffer the same issues as VW and Ford (etc).

[@nicksauer6749]

John, I acknowledge your dislike of hybrids, but the electric motor in my volvo V60 twin engine does complement the DCT transmission very well because it handles most of the low speed load. The car has other problems, but this particular DCT has an easy life.

[@deanmanly7622]

I have a Hyundai 2012 gd 1.8 petrol 6 speed manual. I moved house 200 km with a 7x4 trailer in 7 trip's i hired the trailer. Open highway 100 kmh in 5th gear with cruise control, no problem. I've since replaced the clutch a 180000 km, Next will be the timing belt and water pump at 200000 km. Cost effective as a DSP pensioner, i do my own oil & filter changes. My pet hate is over tightening things like oil filter and sump plugs, i butchered a sump plug getting it off. Midas SA Also, tire fitters & rattle guns 6 months later, a mate borrowed my car, got a flat & snapped a wheel stud getting it off, leaving me to deal with the problem.

[@bobisthebuilder3982]

Unlike GM/ Holden botch job wit the CVT, the dual clutch is extremely reliable and efficient. Eaton has had an automated heavy truck transmission for many years. The common problem they have with newer automotive DCT is the driver not getting the vehicle moving. As you said this is not a defect its a driver error.

[@keithnewton8981]

The vw wet six speed dsg is a pleasure to drive with oblong slow crawl and stop start making for a jurky change. In normal use its fine however the 7 speeder clutch dsg is a different kettle of fish and will fail regular

[@apn42]

Presumably DCT clutch inching wear should be a no issue in hybrid versions or am I wrong about that. E.g. if the electric motor is always used during startup or inching clutch wear should be reduced to almost zero.

[@zakuraayame5091]

seems like putting an indicator on DCT equipped vehicles to let them know when the clutch is being ridden in crawl speed situations might be beneficial to any that would pay attention to it. With a manual you are in control of engagement, sounds like a DCT you have to use psuedo-psychic powers to know at which point the clutch isn't slipping to not stall.

[@mohamedsosseyalaoui4141]

Can u tell me which car is better! The ford fusion or the opel insignia

[@petermiles8651]

Very helpful. I’m thinking about buying a new Hyundai Santa Fe diesel which has a dct.

[@waydigga1982]

My wife and i had a 2013 dodge dart equipped with the 1.4t engine and ddct (dual dry clutch trans). During heavy traffic (inching fwd frequently in periods of idling in between), we would eventually smell "burning". If in traffic long enough, smoke could be seen coming from the engine bay and eventually the car would shut down (happened once while in heavy traffic heading to a festival). Until now, i never knew what the issue was (no cel or dtcs). Fca mustve had a poor clutch design or implementation that caused excessive partial engagement under 'creeping' scenarios (light load).....This was probably done in an effort to not make the car "jerky" at ultra low speeds in 1st gear like a regular manual....At the expense of clutch wear

[@rogerpearson9081]

Even when disengaged, there is light slippage between the clutch plates and sitting for several minutes with the transmission in gear would be enough to heat the clutch up especially in a dual plate clutch and make it much nearer its smoke point when finally engaged.

[@realvanman1]

The other advantage that a torque converter has, besides heat capacity, and oil flow to remove that heat, is the fact that NO parts are wearing while they are slipping since all power transfer takes place hydraulically. Whereas the clutch in the dual clutch, even if not being overheated while slipping, is WEARING while slipping.

[@ateamfan42]

"most people do not have a trailer load of used rubber adult products (or whatever) to dump at the tip each week" hahahaha! Brilliant :)

[@TheOzthewiz]

Rumor has it that Republican wives order the most adult rubber products. Just sayin'.

[@lufenn]

Should i gear down with a dsg gearbox when towing up a hill or just keep it in drive?

[@musicaddikt1]

Hi i have a 2011 semi automatic peugeot with dtc. is it okay to tow a boat with trailer on with it? I didnt clearly understand the video.

[@maxlogun1052]

I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I used to drive 38 ton artics for a living here in the UK and some 20 plus years ago I used to drive a couple of different artics with auto gears boxs which where very similar to these new DCT's they just only had the one clutch, they all worked really well so guessing that the car version is just an updated version of the old artic setup. Any chance John could enlighten me more on if this is, it just a cross over from heavy good vericles?

[@rogerpearson9081]

All the Euro trucks have the automated clutch but they use a normal manual box which has been automated so it has a pneumatic shifter on top controlled by the computer. In Australia, we still have a lot of RoadRanger diehards ( me among them ) who prefer to engage their clutches and change their gears with a stick in the floor but a lot of drivers now have never learnt the fine art of driving an 18 speed. I have not had a lot to do with the fully automated Euros except an Actros which was trialled on roadtrain work. Alright to drive but it totally gave me the shits hooking up when you could not control the clutch directly but just prod the accelerator and eventually it would start sliding back and slam into the pin. Lucky we had 3" pins!

[@shawnmoore4292]

Left foot braking in a DCT would be a bad idea John! Can you clarify if this is the case?

[@mrflamewars]

You have to love a conventional automatic with hard shifts for durability, soft mushy shifts wear the fuck out of the clutch packs, its a whole lot better for it to smack the gears hard if not the most comfortable thing. I kind of like the "bang-screech" setting where the tires chirp when the fucker shifts.

[@chrisrobin395]

I've owned standard autos and dual clutch, both of which have towed my caravan. I would pick dual clutch everytime.

[@andrewpaige9152]

Hi John does this include Audis S Tronic ? Transmission?

[@rhettdopwell9367]

Any complaints about AMT in Suzuki Celerio ???

[@1208bronco]

This guy is awesome and funny

[@maxregal8889]

I'm a "late adopter" and generally fearful of change and things that smell funny. I'd rather take the proven reliability of a torque converter auto. And no more than six speeds, which is still three times more than my old Fordomatic.

[@myguydied]

maxregal ugh three speeds with "overdrive" - i dont miss those

[@TheOzthewiz]

For you "late adopters", here's an idea: a SINGLE speed, torque converter transmission like the "Buick Dynaflow" of the '50s, early '60s. NO clutches, NO bands, NO control modules, nothing to go wrong, EVER!!

[@moonsapling]

The Hyundai Kona and Tucson have very low 1st gear ratios to accommodate the low speed driving and prevent extensive clutch wear. It was specifically stated in their 7DCT Development sheet!

[@theRealAV8r]

DCTs may not be a bad design (even the Tucson's) but presenting a typical auto driver with a control interface that *looks* like a regular auto certainly _is_ Especially when that DCT *requires* the driver to unlearn deeply ingrained habits. If you're gonna do that, better make damn sure your DCT software is capable of closely replicating an auto in it's guts as it does in the cabin.

[@rogerpearson9081]

Good point! it looks like an ordinary auto so it gets driven like one until the smoke escapes and the bill comes in. Unfortunately ignorance is hard to overcome and some people just don't make the leap required or are too dumb. Hard enough educating them to put the right fuel in sometimes!

[@theRealAV8r]

Every time I'm inching in thick traffic with my auto, I think _how in hell would I properly drive a DCT in this?!?_ In DCT you're supposed to let a decent gap open up before moving so the clutch can fully engage to avoid slipping/overheating - good luck with that, the space would be stolen instantly. Drive it like it's a manual people say. Well I drove manual for many years, and _never_ did I constantly put them in neutral when stopped in traffic, I always depressed/eased the clutch to creep along. Experts say you shouldn't do that, but I didn't burn up clutches that way. So if I drove DCT like I did manual, I expect the damn clutches to be just as robust.

[@michaelclark3192]

@@rogerpearson9081 Your right about that one, just recently our police put petrol in their new diesel BMW patrol cars.

[@ncrdisabled]

cool shirt!!!!

[@juzerk8304]

How has DCT technology improved since the time this video has been uploaded ?

[@williamknight7648]

Gosh the amount of complaints that could of been avoided by reading the owners manual... I think that's something everyone should read

[@sadikurrahmanzoha3267]

How should I drive vehicle with a DCT and does driving in a heavy traffic effect the DCT....

[@Rheisler1475]

when driving in heavy traffic, make sure there is a car length gap before moving forward so that your clutch does not slip

[@johnrickard8512]

To be fair, not many transmission types handle backing up steep driveways with a trailer very well. Manuals and DCTs slip their clutch, Belt CVTs just plain slip under high torque loads(except for the new Toyota CVT with a dedicated 1st gear), and E-CVTs may not be able to provide sufficient torque for the task at hand due to electrical limitations(pushing them too hard can overload the inverters which generally kicks the vehicle into limp mode or worse)

[@michaelclark3192]

This is why they say conventional autos are the best for 4x4s as you can crawl at low speeds all day long using much more precise torque delivery at rock crawling speeds. Only downsides over manual are they can overheat at extreme loads and more susceptible to damage with oil pans rather than strong gearbox casings.

[@formerfarmer1718]

What about BEING towed, as in behind a motorhome?

[@arneldayrit5770]

Durability and longlie Standard torque converter. Power and efficiency DCT, Smooth shift and efficiency CVT.

[@mrflamewars]

I don't get why the standard engine - transmission interface isn't a teeny tiny torque converter that allows for takeoff and inching with a computer controlled wet clutch that engages once underway. Aside from FORD FORD FORD transmissions there really isn't much of an issue with torque converter lockup clutch wear. Like the "start up torque converter" listed here: www.exedy.com/en/product/environmental/torque/

[@xpusostomos]

John : I don’t think that would gain you anything

[@mrflamewars]

Maybe not but it would still be harder to fuck it up than a DCT.

[@myguydied]

John honda has done this (below) - my guess is torque converter locks up or sonething and acts like a wet clutch articles.sae.org/13432/

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

What's happened to the humble car? Deisels that need to be driven a certain way or they kill the very expensive particulate filter. Double clutch gearboxs that need to be driven a certain way or they die young. CVT gearboxs, like most blokes, just don't last very long.

[@myguydied]

Casey Stoner well at least the diesel trick is "run at freeway speeds for a bit" to fire up the burner. Even petrol cars need a run up the freeway here and there - good excuse to get out the house

[@johnrickard8512]

Not every CVT gearbox has that problem...the Toyota HSD is a special breed of CVT known for lasting quite a long time(the gearing is dead simple, no belts to snap, only limitation really is the lifespan of the electrical components which is by comparison an easy task), and they also have their own belt-based CVT that isn't well known for failure.

[@panzerveps]

I hate it when the salespeople at my dealer tell the customers that the car has automatic transmission... We haven't sold a single car with automatic transmission in 10+ years!

[@tano1747]

In the real world the dct is a terrible choice on a tow vehicle. I have a GT cerato and while it is easy for John to say "don't slip the clutch" and I can follow that advice in a full 3 pedal manual, even when reversing; the computer has control in a dct and if you are going slow enough you have zero choice in the matter -- it WILL choose to slip the clutch. Even reversing my EMPTY box trailer up a 10 deg incline a bit over one car length long, which i can do in one smooth pass without stopping, it takes the transmission from normal 3-4 up to 7 or 8 on the 16 step scale in the trip computer. And you arrive to the smell of burned clutch lining. Heaven help me if I tried to reverse it with it full! And thinking of upgrading to a Santa fe or sorrento doesn't help if i want the torque of the diesel and the awd for towing as both have a sodding dct.

[@jamescooper3783]

Do you advise using an auto trans vehicle to tow my wife? She weighs 3.7 tonnes. 🤔🤪

[@Cheepchipsable]

Many years ago Honda released a semi-automatic, but unfortunately it looked like an automatic - no clutch and a straight up and down shifter, with the marking, P, N, L, 2, *. You were meant to start in L, (low), and move to 2 then *, with engine revs like a manual. But no-one seemed to tell the owners, who went straight to *...

[@TheOzthewiz]

Sounds like a Chevy "Power Glide".

[@stephenrichards5386]

DCTs are an disaster in every car in which they are fitted< Even hyundai are moving away from DCTvoir the i30N. Tucson boxes have been failing regularly and some dealers have not been friendly.

[@DineshSingh-qk6bt]

"and then youuu will be in A worlddd of shitt"

[@Phleemflam]

What kind of a car you drive?

[@davidlove7825]

I have spoken to severel owners of Hyundais who did not know they had a duel clutch system. Definitely not for me. Mention boat towing and forget it.

[@jackdawg4579]

so, is it legal to drive one with only an automatic licence?

[@myguydied]

Jack Dawg no third pedal, no non-sequential (or sequential) stick - it sure aint no manual

[@andersriksson100]

Old video but it seems DCT are not a good choise of you tow a boat or a caravan regularily, it WILL shorten their life... Same goes for frequent stop-and-go queuing traffic. First owners of a DCT car that don't tow or que-drive a lot might not be effected by this and when the second owner get into trouble there are no garanties left so it will cost... DCT seem to be made for first owners (frugal, quick, fun!) but mostly for the brand dealer workshops.

[@scunnerdarkly4929]

Subscribed within the first 10 seconds. FAQ ME 🤣🤣🤣

[@thierryvt]

Letting the clutch engage is fine and all unless you drive an audi a3 (or comparable) with a DCT. The stupid thing changes up to 2nd instantly, even in slow traffic. So if you're in heavy traffic moving along slowly, even at a speed where first gear would be fully engaged, the fucking thing insists on slipping the clutch in 2nd... The only way around this is to put it in either sport or manual mode and keep it in first yourself.

[@Cheepchipsable]

In a manual first gear is generally reserved for walking pace, just to get the car rolling.

[@TheOzthewiz]

You say you don't hear any complaints with Hyundais DCT. Well, it turns out that, at least here in US, there is a class action lawsuit against Hyundai for its DCT acting erractically!

[@dresnick12]

The fact that DCT has "don't do this and don't do that" indicates that the average driver should STAY AWAY from it. The fact that it shifts gears faster means nothing to the average driver. The saving in fuel, IF ANY, will be more than offset with mechanic's bills. I, for one, want a car without having to think about peculiarities of my transmission and being able to drive in any condition. The real reason that manufacturers opted for DCT is simple: It has less parts than planetary (conventional) AT and the manufacturing cost is lower. BTW: Modern planetary AT are very efficient and do not waste fuel. They do not have "special requirements" and they last longer.

[@ProNoober8]

Is it ironic that vehicles with a DCT don't have a clutch pedal? Why don't they have two clutch pedals? Gives new meaning to heel and tow shifting. Sounds difficult to "ride the clutch" if there is no pedal to do that with. ;)

[@Slicerwizard]

When it breaks, you'll be using your heels or a tow.

[@MrRandomcommentguy]

Normal driving seems to kill DCT's easily enough as it is...

[@skopa1223]

Simon Coles Don’t many reg manual car clutches avg a little over 100k km (depending on driver habits)? It’s just that a dct will cost triple the amount to fix. A better made one, driven well, should be fine up to 200k plus km no?

[@macbuff81]

I like my DCT :) Mine is dry-clutch

[@TomS-ho6td]

Thanks for that , what about towing a trailer with a cvt transmission close to the max tow capacity of a vehicle ? My wife tows close to the 2000kg limit in her xtrail with a cvt transmission

[@xpusostomos]

Tom S : it’s like towing a heavy load in a manual. Which is to say have mechanical sympathy. Personally I wouldn’t choose a DCT to regularly tow 2000kg.

[@dubaidriver9978]

CVT's should not be used in cars beyond hybrids and lawnmowers :P

[@j0ey96]

hopefully my 2016 focus lasts 7 more years LOL D=

[@cap306]

Should be good, conventional auto in 2016

[@alexanderwolf3552]

Deon Taylor I have a 2016 focus. It’s a DCT and shakes like a bitch when shifting to 2nd or 3rd.

[@j0ey96]

yeah those first 3 it shakes, but it's pretty smooth sailing after that

[@pedrofernandez3893]

Ford's DCT is horrible but they're so hard headed, that they won't change it into a regular auto in cars like Fiesta and Focus and as result both of those cars suffer from horrible reliability issues.

[@dubaidriver9978]

DCT (DSG) is better than others for acceleration, but in daily life with things such as quick downshift and standstill clutch engagement it sux... I've almost got rear-ended a few times because while rolling I wanted to quickly enter a junction or switch lanes, while watching quickly approaching vahicles in the rearview mirrorr - scary moments: engine revs, and like after 2 long seconds later the DSG finally decides which gear is appropriate and engages the clutch, upon which the car suddenly accelerates and runs for your life :P

[@dragancrnogorac3851]

Dubai DRIVER I like manual. Because I'm better then those electronic shit. downshift from 6th to 3rd take 0,5 sec and I'm ready to rock and roll. When acceleration is done from 60 to 130 km/h just upshift from 3rd to 6th gear

[@rogerpearson9081]

I've driven auto trucks like that. They hang onto a gear until it nearly stalls and then scream at max revs while you hope it can grab a gear and not stop with 100+ tonnes on a steep hill.All good if you hold a throttle position and do it all smoothly and slowly. All reactive with no anticipation which gives you the shits on hills where the abovemetioned behaviour makes you want to rip the shifter servos off and jam a stick in there. Programmed by an engineer who decides what your shift points are. We all know father knows best...NOT!

[@ChrisM-kf4rp]

What is wrong with tried and true , torque convertor and automatic transmission ? Bulletproof engineering that's been around since the 1950s . Modern automatics shift instantly in Sport mode , will hold gear to the redline , you can select gears manually by paddles or gear lever if you want to and when in traffic or feeling lazy , just put it in drive and forget it . Autos nowadays have 6 to 10 speeds depending on the car, are faster than a manual equivalent and more fuel efficient because they change , in automatic mode , up to the highest gear possible that doesn't labour the engine . DCTs seem like a typical fix to a problem that doesn't exist .

[@Stanwis]

They are more expensive to maintain - car companies live on maintance :)

[@funbucket09]

what do you define as 'labour' for the engine?

[@ChrisM-kf4rp]

Labouring an engine is impossible in an automatic because it will change down before the engine revs drop too low . If you want to see what labouring an engine means , try to accelerate from a standstill in top gear in a manual car or use too high a gear going up a steep hill . Engine power is unable to cope with such stress and will cough and splutter and ultimately stall , usually in a cloud of smoke from the damaged engine . This is the reason every engine in every car , truck , motor cycle on Earth has a transmission with multiple gears . Except electric cars which are completely different system . CVT transmissions still use gearing but use different system to a normal transmission .

[@funbucket09]

Thanks Chris. What I was trying to get at is at what revs is the engine getting damaged (over stressed/load)? I drive a manual and sometimes I just put the foot all the way down for a hill rather than downshifting. It is a v8 engine with pretty good torque if that makes any difference. The engine makes a deep rumble sound as it works but the car still speeds up. Should I be downshifting? Thanks you

[@ChrisM-kf4rp]

The more power / torque an engine has , the less likely it is to labour at low speed but even a V8 can suffer stress if pushed . It puts stress on the clutch , gearbox , tailshaft and really should be avoided . I've had V8s for all my 40years of driving and I know that sound well , however my rule is never , even under gentle driving , let revs drop below 1500 rpm before downshifting . A modern 6 speed manual will cruise at 100kph in 6th at that engine speed and as long as acceleration is gentle , it won't hurt anything but if rapid acceleration is required downshifting a gear or even two will not only be better for the mechanical bits but will improve acceleration dramatically . Just keep revs over 1500 all the time and it'll be fine .

[@ed81ny]

John what is a local tip in murica? Lol

[@robertpolkamp]

No more NutFest John?

[@harrycee656]

Love my DCT. Wish it was available on all cars.

[@MrNickharp]

5:35 your welcome

[@shane250]

I have to disagree here. A lot of the DCT's advantages you mentioned can be found on high-count-gear-ratios of planetary transmissions (8-speed/10-speed) and CVT's with a start-drive gear (found in some Toyota's). I think that an AT (8-speed min)>CVT (with start-drive gear, not a Jetco)>DCT. But maybe I think like that because I used to be a Diagnostic Tech in VW and Ford, and I've seen the MASSIVE failures of these DCT's.

[@adamdixon2251]

So if I'm going to tow a 1.5 tonne boat the lives up a convoluted driveway Hyundai is out then

[@Paul.V.24]

Hi John. I want to share the experience I had with VW DSG. I drove rental Octavia and during a traffic jam I was trying not to inch forward but going slowly forward with enough gap to the car in front instead. Beeing used with my manual I knew that at arround 13kmph (give or take) the first gear is ok and I can slowly progress without touching the clutch. I though the DSG was smart enough to do the same but at my surprise it was always switching to second gear and slipping the clutch. How do I know that? Because if I were to accelerate to about 20kmph the revs wouldn't go up. Why keep it in 2nd with a slipping clutch rather than in 1st? Did they program it so they achieve better fuel economy(lower revs in 2nd)? And if that's the case; spending fuel by heating up the clutch wouldn't be worse on MPG than just letting it rev to 1.5k in first? Is it a desing flaw(software programming of how the DSG works), or just something they never though about?

[@RandomUser6947]

I have had two VW cars with DSG. And your experience is spot on. Both my cars did the same thing. So if you're in a traffic jam, or busy city traffic, you should set the transmission to semi auto, and then do the shifting manually. That way, you can force the car to stay in the gear you want. I know it sounds stupid, that you have to circumvent the cars computer, but unfortunately the manufacturors don't care about the service life of your car. They only care about profit. Both my VW DSG's survived the time I had them (about 250000 Km), but only because I did the shifting manually under stressful conditions. Both the dry and the wet clutch DSG's suffer from the same problems. Although the wet clutch version is slightly more reliable.

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

Lads, I know I'm late to the party but my Passat dsg does the same. Even if I move off in drive and never touch the accelerator itll change into second and then when I accelerate it slips the clutch. Best advice? Traffic jams, but it into manual mode and let the car in front move a bit then drive off as if in a manual. At a junction, complete stop first, then quick pull on the shifter to select sport mode, engine (2.0 tdi 150 bhp) will rev to about 1,500 then change to second, then I go back to D. Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature so it isn't a problem.