Manual Trans: "Don't Rest Hand on Gearshift"

[bebersol]

This was news to me:

From page 247 of Owner's Manual, Manual Transmission section:

"Do not rest your hand on the gearshift lever while driving. Over time, the pressure will cause premature wear in the transmission."

Guess I won't be doing that anymore.

VW has been recommending that since the 70's. makes sense if you think about it.

 

[bebersol]

dr_mat, I agree.

And the potential problem is much less prevalent with cable shifters rather than direct linkage.

actually its an issue with FWD cars (which the R basically is).
and this car has rod not cable linkage.

probably creates wear on the shift armature not the gears.

 

[bebersol]

Yes this is a common one. You are potentially forcing the syncro mesh to engage all the time.

Foot off the clutch after you engage a gear - get into the habit of doing this.

agree,

or you'll be doing a clutch job to replace a chattering throw-out bearing.

 

[dr_mat]

actually its an issue with FWD cars (which the R basically is).
and this car has rod not cable linkage.

probably creates wear on the shift armature not the gears.

AFAIK the biggest issue is creating wear on the synchromeshes and the shifter bearings in the box, so it probably effects RWD too where the gear lever sits right on top of the gearbox. But the effect is surely so ridiculously small on all these cars that it's kinda like saying "don't use the steering wheel too much".