Bank holiday Monday, returning from caravanning from Newark, via A1,then M62, which was closed from exit 22-25, we were diverted onto the A628 then 616.HEADING FOR Manchester, through Hollingsworth, nose to tail traffic.
Our Skoda Superb, coping very well with conditions, stop, start, pulling our Elddis 462 caravan, we started getting a rubber smell, then a smoke smell, then clouds of smoke from under the bonnet, I thought we would catch fire!
Solid line of traffic, no ware to pull over? so had to keep going, expecting the clutch to go anytime. We managed to keep going until we came to Denton, and the M60,more speed getting to the engine, cooling it down. The clutch didn't fail, and we returned home.
The Skoda has less than 9,000 miles on the clock, 19 months old. It is now at the main dealers who said they cannot find what went wrong !
DO I STICK WITH IT ? OR GET RID ?
Sounds like an overheated clutch. Should be no lasting damage. Technique of towing in nose to tail traffic is not to try to trickle along with traffic but allow a good gap to build up & then close the gap clearing the clutch asap. This is particularly important if the tailback is uphill.
I think the Skoda Superb is, well, Superb! I had one on test for the day, but it was the Auto. Trying to be polite, but why would you want a manual for towing, Auto if far superior for towing, I wouldn't even contemplate using a manual for towing.
Sorry, I know it does not help you in this situation, but I would trade in for an Auto Superb.
I would save your money. Keep the manual & drive it as described. It's what I do for example going up the ferry ramp at Dunkirk which is steep. I stop at the bottom of the ramp. Wait for the queuing traffic to completely clear the ramp then drive up in one hit. Most important when towing is to avoid continuously slipping clutch in traffic.
To describe better. Come to a halt in traffic using brakes for final yds flooring clutch. Do not slip it. Apply handbrake & take out of gear. Sit there while a gap of 50 or 100yds builds up. As much gap as you can get away with without drivers coming around you thinking you have broken down. Then pull away revving engine enough for a clean getaway clearing clutch completely in one smooth movement. Once gap is closed come to a halt again as described.
No damage should have been done as lining has not actually burnt it just overheated. Obviously if this happens often it will shorten life of clutch & also DMF so drive as described in traffic. One incident should not cause damage to clutch so you should be ok.
I don't tow a caravan, but tow a folding camper with my Mini Clubman, I let traffic move off to create a decent gap in front of me before pulling away. It's better to let the engine trickle along just under load with no clutch slip. I try to use the clutch as little as possible. Watch the big lorries, they try to stop/start as little as possible in traffic
I agree with all of the above posts but on a manual a lot depends on the ratio of the gearbox too. My Volvo has a 2.4 diesel engine with a six speed gearbox but the first gear is geared down (crawler gear) because when driving solo (no caravan in tow) it's slow from a standing start then the power is injected when changing up to second. This is beneficial when towing because in a traffic jam I can travel about 5 mph. with the foot completely off the clutch when on the flat so can keep up with the vehicle in front. When I come to an incline I do what the others have said above and wait for a gap before releasing the clutch which avoids any friction on the clutch plate which is what creates the burning smell. A burning clutch in extreme circumstances can be critical and heat to a degree whereby it creates a shiny film which in turn can then creates clutch slip thus ending the life of the clutch prematurely. Yes, maybe an auto gearbox functions differently (having no clutch) but if you fully understand how a clutch works and functions then there's no need to change the car, just change the way you drive a manual.
Shows how little main dealer workshop & reception staff know about towing caravans. They 'cannot find out what went wrong' when a post on UKCS sussed it out straight away. I'm assuming of course that op described incident to his garage the same as posted on here.
I appreciate the points made, and have taken them on board,As for leaving a gap between the traffic up front, I did but the gap was filled with motor cyclist's in group,s, who filled the gap?
The Superb is now resting with the Skoda dealer, who I assume are fitting a new clutch, for its been with them now a few days.
They have also invited me to the new Kodiaq event!maybe I should up grade to one of them.
The Kodiaq is very nice but check that you can tow with it. Some of the 2.0 models are not type approved for towing, I think the auto versions are ok but the manual versions are not all approved.
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 31/8/2017
I would save your money. Keep the manual & drive it as described. It's what I do for example going up the ferry ramp at Dunkirk which is steep. I stop at the bottom of the ramp. Wait for the queuing traffic to completely clear the ramp then drive up in one hit. Most important when towing is to avoid continuously slipping clutch in traffic.
I second that motion. My Seat is coming up to 150000 miles after a 4000 mile tour of France. The manual clutch is behaving well. My last car - Vauxhall - had a dead clutch and flywheel at 90000
Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 04/9/2017
The Kodiaq is very nice but check that you can tow with it. Some of the 2.0 models are not type approved for towing, I think the auto versions are ok but the manual versions are not all approved.
I bought the Superb because my MG cdti broke down, water found its way into the computer, a shame a good car 80,000 mile, but problem terminal.
I was stuck with a caravan, with trips booked, but no car to pull it with.The caravan club, magazine gave 5 stars, to the Skoda Superb, the dealer is just down the road from me.
I wanted a Superb 2 litre auto estate, but had none in the price range in stock.They did have the car I bought, Superb 2litre business SE, 2,000 miles on clock, so bought it, cash, well over £20,000, [ I dont believe in credit ]So this answers some of the comments, and the car is very well capable of towing the van I own.
I understand about the mechanics of the dual mass flywheel type clutch etc. I worked at Ford,s in Kolne Germany building their modes of transport.
The dealer has contacted me today to say, they dropped the gearbox, found two claws in the release bearing bent, so are renewing the parts under warranty, so hopefully that's it. Thank you for the comments, its always helpful to get different trains of thought.
Thumbs UP to the Skoda dealer I bought my Superb from, they fit a new clutch and release bearing- pressure plate , under warranty, plus a full valet inside and out, smells and looks like a new car. Very nice.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Skoda not Superb
