Clutches

IMO comparing the gear selector brake bands with mechanically clutches boxes needs a lot of qualification to be taken as a contribution to this discussion.
The massive difference between the gear selector brake bands of torque converter or fluid coupling automatic gear boxes, with mechanical clutches in autos is their role and thus duty they are asked to perform.
All transmissions from a running engine to moving a vehicle from stationary involves either variable ratio “gearing”or some level of “slip” to be catered for, or a combination of both as offered by torque converters.
That inevitable "slip" that is required in taking up drive is 100% undertaken across mechanical clutches. However, only a small momentary part of the required slip is taken across the gear selector brake bands of all hydro kinetic clutches, fluid couplings and there more sophisticated cousins, torque converters. In their case the slip is near wholly within the oil, or offset by the torque conversion's ratio changing feature.
In the torque converter the very process of converting torque is gaining a variable “gearing” ratio, a double benefit in taking up “slip”. Their gear selector bands also in almost all cases are oil immersed so the remaining slip attrition, in part is quite harmlessly taken up through the oil's viscous drag before friction finally brakes any movement.
Dry clutches only can work with friction taking up the drag and converting it to plate heat, if we ignore a miniscule contribution in air shearing drag. Hence they take 100% of that work.
However, like auto selector brake bands wet mechanical clutches also benefit from not insignificant oil's viscous drag offsetting plate wear and placing the slip heat directly into the oil. So these clutches are saved a significant amount of friction work load.

I'm an expert as well, you name it and I know all about it No need to tell you all about myself, just believe it

A manual clutch is a round thingy that with your foot moves it away from another round thingy, an auto is something else doing it.

At last, a post I understand👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😊

Enjoy 

I am no expert, far from it. But common sense tells me that selecting a vehicle fit for purpose, (in this case towing a caravan, perhaps for a lot of miles, perhaps up some steep hills), then learning how to properly use whatever form of transmission is chosen, in a sympathetic and sensible manner is the best option, and likely to be the most successful. 

There are cars built to effortlessly cruise the motorways, there are cars built to tootle around towns, there are cars designed to be work horses and mud pluggers. Few combine everything in one package. 

Makes perfect sense to me 😂

and me, as long as they all have an auto box

We had a Peugeot 406 a few years ago for 10 years without having to change the clutch. Towed all over Europe and the UK.

Depends how heavy footed you are.

Awesome!!

Back on topic!

Merry clutchmas everyone 

What Vulcan says ..... I've considered a Grand Cherokee myself so e-mailed Jeep to ask (the local dealer I phoned didn't really know). This was the reply :-

Subject: new Grand Cherokee transmission

Dear MollysMummy

Thank you for contacting Jeep and for your interest in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Further to your enquiry, we would like to confirm that this model is fitted with a conventional type automatic transmission with torque converter.

Should you require any further assistance, our Customer Service team remains available at your own convenience from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 18:00 and Saturday from 08:00 until 17:00, on 00800 0426 5337 choosing option number 2.

Yours sincerely,

James Thorpe
Customer Care Jeep