The fact that fast-shifting automatic transmissions don’t provide drivers as much control as a conventional three-pedal layout is one of the more tired arguments against them. However, that reasoning has been at least partially refuted as transmission technology has advanced over time. Matt Farah, an automobile celebrity, recently demonstrated that it is entirely possible to “clutch kick” with a Porsche 911 GT3 RS equipped with the PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.
With the engine cranked up, a driver can effectively force the car’s drive wheels to spin by swiftly disengaging the clutch and then reengaging it.
Who would like to do that? Say you want to create a power-slide in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle without oversteering or doing the traditional “Scandinavian flick.” The best method is to use a clutch kick.
How does the Porsche PDK work? You must turn off all of the traction control features, claims Farah. The PDK’s clutch can then be effectively disengaged by pulling back simultaneously on both of the shift paddles positioned on the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving.
Once you’ve done that, accelerate quickly to instantly simulate a PDK clutch kick!
You can watch Farah perform the trick in the video below even though you might not own a costly Porsche to test it on.
In This Article...
What is the Porsche PDK’s mechanism?
The PDK gets its name from the way the gears are apportioned across the two distinct clutches. While the even gears are connected to clutch II, the odd gears and reverse are connected to clutch I. Fully automatic gear changes are possible thanks to the technology without losing traction.
When did Porsche PDK start to excel?
First PDK for sports cars debuted in the 911 Carrera in 2008. The PDK was able to change speeds up to 60% faster than an automatic gearbox right away. It made gear changes easier to do without losing any propulsion and used less gasoline.
The meaning of Porsche PDK
Porsche created the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) in the 1980s for use in racing, and it is now a standard feature in all new Porsche cars. It means “Porsche double-clutch gearbox” and functions in a manner similar to other DCTs used in the automobile sector.
Does PDK learn how to drive?
I doubt it, though. However, I’m curious because I used my prior Cayman as a daily vehicle. I observed the car was a touch slow to downshift while braking while driving aggressively on a winding road in automatic mode, and on a few occasions it felt like it should have been in a lower gear when coming off the curve. It was in athletic mode. When I went to manual, I discovered that it operated a little better when I used the paddles to downshift earlier as I approached the corners.
Do you drive differently now than you did then? If so, can it relearn if repeatedly driven in a different way?
When I’m meeting up for a group drive or a track run, I reset the PDK to re-learn and then drive the a$$ out of it because my car is a commuter hack and frequently stop-starts every day, averaging less than 30 MPH.
Is there a clutch pedal on the Porsche PDK?
With the PDK, there is an electronically controlled valve body that actuates the appropriate clutch as needed instead of the usual clutch pedals seen on the floor of a car. Only one clutch is engaged at a time, smoothly switching between the two. The gear adjustments won’t even be noticed by the drivers
Do you use PDK to shift?
The Porsche PDK has many advantages over a manual transmission, starting with its design and mode of operation as a dual-clutch transmission.
In fact, the Porsche dual-clutch transmission does away with idle times because the next gear is always pre-engaged. As a result, gear changes happen incredibly quickly—the 911 Type 992’s PDK just needs 0.1 seconds to switch gears! Comparatively, experts from the prestigious Car and Driver magazine were only able to change from first to second gear with this model of 911’s manual transmission in 0.3 seconds. The conventionally designed automatic gearboxes also share this characteristic. That demonstrates the PDK gearbox’s efficiency.
Additionally, the transmission is incredibly adaptable. For ultimate driving enjoyment in dynamic driving or on a racetrack, you can decide to manually swap gears like you would with a manual gearbox. On the other side, you can let the gearbox change gears on its own if you’re driving in a city. This implies that you can select between comfort and performance/driver participation! Despite this astonishing improvement in performance, the PDK is still incredibly economical. A contemporary 911 Carrera S with PDK, for instance, boasts a combined fuel consumption figure of 11.7 L/100 km. It performs better mechanically, with 11.3 L/100 km in the combined cycle. However, given the output it produces, the difference is not really that big.
The PDK transmission provides the best of both worlds as a result. You can have your cake and eat it, too, with the PDK, which is quicker than a manual gearbox in manual mode and offers the option to let it shift gears automatically.
How can my PDK be reset?
Start your automobile and allow the transmission and engine to reach 140F/60C and 176F/80C, respectively. If you are starting with a cold motor, you might need to take a little drive to raise your temperatures to the required minimum.
- Make sure the engine is off and the ignition is turned on. Choose “Continue.”
- Now the ECU learning reset will be finished.
- In order to finish an ignition key cycle, follow the accompanying instructions. After finishing, click “Continue.”
Make sure the car is at operating temperature by responding to a sequence of prompts that will appear. If the car complies with these requirements, choose “Continue” to go forward. The Re-Learn will fail if these requirements are not met, and you will have to repeat the procedure after the transmission and engine have reached the proper operating temperature.
- During the retraining process, a prompt will ask you to keep your foot on the brake. Now that the brake has been applied, press “Continue.” It only requires a little pressure.
- Start the engine now. An alert will show up to make sure the car is in “P” Park and that the parking brake is not applied. It will be required to turn off the air conditioning and the headlights. If these requirements are satisfied, choose “Continue” to proceed. **At no point during this procedure should you touch the gas pedal.
Relearned PDK will start. It will take several minutes to finish the process (some vehicles may be around 15 or 20 minutes).
DO NOT FREAK OUT The vehicle’s clutches will need to move in order to complete the clutch re-learning process. During the Re-Learn time period, noises and clunking are completely typical. The engine rpms may also fluctuate.
Is PDK preferable to automatic?
The fact that PDK is still an automatic transmission makes the contrast between it and a manual transmission clear. As much control over the gears is available as with a manual transmission, but there is no clutch pedal. The PDK transmission will still shift for you when you reach the redline, put your foot on the floor, or decelerate abruptly even though you can control the ratios with paddle shifters.
The major difference, other from having transmission control, is shift speed. Back in the day, manual transmissions were the preferred option for performance. This was due to the fact that manual shifts were quicker than automatic shifts at shifting. Additionally, they provided additional control for applications on the racetrack.
These days, manual transmissions are much slower than PDK and dual clutch transmissions. Today, even standard automatics with one clutch are quicker. However, a PDK transmission’s simultaneous shifting results in speedier acceleration and quicker 0-60 times. Additionally, you may use the PDK gearbox virtually as if it were a manual transmission without having to worry with the clutch pedal, sluggish shifts, or power loss during shifts thanks to advancements in transmission technology.
How durable are PDK clutches?
Porsche advertises the PDK as “lifetime,” and in all likelihood, it is — unless you want to use it as a taxi for 600,000 miles.
Less user mistake, such as incorrect shifts, is possible with PDK. Other issues with the manual transmission could arise, such a bad driver damaging the differential.
Therefore, in terms of durability, PDK is superior. Yet dependability? Manual would have my vote. In any situation, there is nothing to be concerned about. Simply select the preferred transmission.
I’m just so old-fashioned. The PDK transmission is fantastic and can always outshift me because of its flawless rev-matches. But if I’m driving, I’d rather leave my left foot at work.
Why is PDK so effective?
Although the PDK transmission was first designed for racing, it also has a lot of other benefits. It is simpler to operate during routine drives because there is no clutch to engage, and it even has an automatic mode. Additional benefits include: the fastest acceleration feasible
Why is it called a 7-speed PDK?
A new transmission system that gives drivers a sporty, dynamic, and agile driving experience is the 7-speed Porsche PDK transmission. The 7-speed PDK transmission can shift gears quickly and without stopping the power source.
Has PDK got an auto mode?
The Porsche PDK gives a quicker acceleration response and more versatility as compared to a manual transmission. For ultimate comfort, you can choose to drive in automated mode or manually swap gears using the paddle shifters placed on the steering wheel.
How quickly can the PDK shift?
Now that eight-speed PDK transmissions are standard, gear changes happen in milliseconds. With the Sport Chrono option, the sports vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.6 seconds.
Is PDK trustworthy?
Compared to other dual-clutch gearboxes, the PDK transmission is relatively dependable, but its service life is mostly dependent on regular maintenance and adherence to the manufacturer’s operating guidelines.
Does PDK resemble Tiptronic?
finishing up As you can see, the functions of Tiptronic and PDK transmissions are significantly unlike. The Tiptronic is Porsche’s high-tech take on the traditional automatic gearbox, while the PDK is a performance-oriented transmission with racing heritage.
What transmission has the quickest shifting?
The newly redone Chevrolet Camaro is already being hailed as one of the greatest muscle cars to emerge from the Motor City, and it can now add yet another accolade to its remarkable list.
Later in the year, the 2017 Camaro ZL1 will be offered with a brand-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The newest conventional automatic transmission (developed in collaboration with Ford) will have the quickest gearshifts ever. “The shifts happen so swiftly and without pause that it almost feels like an extension of your reflexes,” claims lead ZL1 engineer Aaron Link.
According to GM’s tests, the 10-speed transmission outshines Porsche’s already rapid PDK dual-clutch automatic manual transmission from first to second by 36%, second to third by 27%, and third to fourth by 26%. This will be not only one of the world’s quickest automatic transmissions, but also one of the smoothest, if the test results are accurate. And best of all, it shares the same dimensions as the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro’s 8-speed automatic transmission.