So I have the 2011 Eco with 6spd automatic.
The AC suck is strong on that one!
In order to remedy not being roasted to death in 90+F degrees, I picked up the habit of harvesting kinetic energy, and routing it to the AC; meaning,
When I approach a stop light, or need to stop, I switch to manual, and shift one or two gears down.
This allows my car to engine brake better.
It will also allow my AC to be running at a decent speed, while the engine isn't putting any heat in the radiator; so that by the end of my stop, I can actually feel cool air coming out the vents!
AC and Freon is checked and all according to specs; the Cruze just sucks cooling down a car with the same AC system they used in both their smaller version Sonics, and their smallest 'Sparks'; is just not upto the task for the larger sized Cruze!
Anyway, this thread is about the clutch.
I don't want to destroy my engine, so after some trying out, I decided I would make sure the needle stays below 3k RPM when I downshift (2500RPM max).
I also downshift from 6->5->4->3rd gear, and then run it to 1500RPM, before i switch to N (going via D).
I found it doesn't benefit shifting into 2nd gear, as the engine RPM rises too hard, and downshifting to 2nd at 2500 RPM, my face ends up in the horn on the steering wheel.
I usually also don't let the needle drop below 1500RPM, and higher if I'm trying to stop faster; as engine braking only works on most slower braking practices.
Should I need to brake fast, the engine braking procedure, would actually impede with the brake pads (and the brake pads would need to slow down not only the car, but also slow down the engine which is trying to play catch up with the car).
That being said, I'm a little worried about how shifting into mid-RPM range often, would affect the clutch longevity?
I do put the vehicle in N, at almost every stop that's longer than a 1 to 2 seconds full stop, relieving the dual clutch from minimal wear at stop signs; and if start-stop speeds are below 5MPH, I sometimes roll in neutral; to somewhat compensate for the extra clutch wear during driving...
Anyone else applying engine braking (for better braking, slower speed than 1st gear idle, or better AC)?
