How Have I destroyed My Clutch

Cocksure

Currently having to fork out for a new clutch, flywheel and bearings on my 6 month old VW T6 as I have completely destroyed it. I'm therefore trying to work out what I did wrong and what was ok to do so as I don't repeat it.
Guilty of
1) resting foot on clutch pedal when driving
2) do 2 plus reverse hill starts with clutch only partially released to control the speed a day, and a few forward hills starts
3) have been holding clutch down for long periods at traffic lights to stop start/stop from kicking in.

Not keen to have to fork out again so no more clutch riding and I'm no longer afraid to use the start/stop so that side of things will end. Can change hill start to forward instead of reverse if that will also help? Just trying to understand

duffbeerdrinker

Does it have Hill Hold Assist?  I think the button says "Auto Hold".

Cocksure

Yes (when I remember to use it). Half the time with the hill starts I'm start of from a parked position (handbrake on) that I don't even think to tap the brake pedal to engage it first, instead its just clutch bite point, handbrake release and accelerator pedal.

duffbeerdrinker

You don't need to remember to use the auto hold.  Once you turn it on or off it will stay that way even after you turn the engine off.

Stop resting your left foot on the clutch and use the foot rest instead?

I find the stop/start feature really annoying and doesn't help me save any fuel at all with the kind of driving I do.  I always turn it off immediately after I start the engine.  I don't even have to think about it now - it's become a habit.

Cocksure

I had the driver's seat set too low, so foot moving wasn't the easiest. Only downside with the van is lack of leg space. Lifting the sit up has corrected that at least.

Start/stop wise I always forget to use the button, just hold the clutch down without thinking instead (no more).

I dont know if it remembers the hill start but I do know that it only works for 3 seconds, starting the van, wiping the windows etc soon uses that time period up. Do know that the few times I have assumed its there waiting for me the van has rolled either forward or backwards. Pretty sure (but could be wrong) that applying the handbrake removes the hill start function until reactivated (one to ask the dealership when I pick the van up).

So its likely my clutch riding and lack of use of hill start that has caused the issue then

cosmicma

surely it's still under warranty ?
it would be quite difficult to wear a clutch out in 6 months despite some of your habits

PSM1

I would have said the clutch riding was probably the biggest issue. Hill starts are part of normal driving and would not see clutches die so quickly even when we did not have things like Hill Assist. The only way I could see the hill starts being an issue if you were towing a lot of weight all the time and riding the clutch excessively with a lot of revs (and you would be smelling the clutch burning!!!).

Cocksure

The garage sent me a video of it, deep grooves on the flywheel, clutch pad in pieces etc, no signs of any leaks or manufacture faults. Overheated and completely shot, zero chance of a warranty claim, at £1100 plus VAT it's an expensive lesson.

Thanks @PSM1 its helpful to know what I was doing wrong, the clutch did smell a bit at 1st when the van was new on the hill starts, but can't say I have noticed it since but it might have been. Do new clutches always smell for a time when new, or is this another case of my ignorance catching me out?

Edit
Its a petrol if that makes a difference so they do rev more

djcla

@Cocksure those bad habits you list i must say im guilty of at times especially hovering my foot over the clutch pedal but never burnt a clutch out.  Certainly doesnt seem right to get through a clutch in 6 months unless you are doing some serious mileage?

rousetafarian

I must say you’ve had more car woes I’m the last few months than I’ve had in 30 years of driving.

New clutches don’t wear out in 6 months.