Riding the clutch

[naaman]

I am recently learning how to drive a stick shift out of necessity for work. I need to be able to drvie cars short distances (a few meters at a time) and some of them are stick shifts. When confronted with the first manual transmission, I relied on my mechanical understanding of how a car works to operate it. Never having actually done it before, I got in, pressed the clutch all the way to the floor with my left foot, and pressed the brake with my right. I started the car, and then selected 1st gear. I let off the brake, and then slowly let the clutch out until it caught, and the car started to roll. I let it "ride" until I needed to stop. Then I pressed in the clutch and the brake together and when the car stopped, I put it in neutral and set the parking brake, and then turned off the car.

When I explained this to my uncle (whom I had been talking about learning stick shift with) he said that riding the clutch is really bad for it and it wears out the plates faster. However, I don't understand how the car is supposed to otherwise move at a slow rate of speed from a stop without applying the throttle (which will move it way too quickly for what I need to do with it). For example, how does one back out of a tight parking spot without riding the clutch? Or is riding the clutch not at all bad for the car?

 

[Carguy!]

I am recently learning how to drive a stick shift out of necessity for work. I need to be able to drvie cars short distances (a few meters at a time) and some of them are stick shifts. When confronted with the first manual transmission, I relied on my mechanical understanding of how a car works to operate it. Never having actually done it before, I got in, pressed the clutch all the way to the floor with my left foot, and pressed the brake with my right. I started the car, and then selected 1st gear. I let off the brake, and then slowly let the clutch out until it caught, and the car started to roll. I let it "ride" until I needed to stop. Then I pressed in the clutch and the brake together and when the car stopped, I put it in neutral and set the parking brake, and then turned off the car.

When I explained this to my uncle (whom I had been talking about learning stick shift with) he said that riding the clutch is really bad for it and it wears out the plates faster. However, I don't understand how the car is supposed to otherwise move at a slow rate of speed from a stop without applying the throttle (which will move it way too quickly for what I need to do with it). For example, how does one back out of a tight parking spot without riding the clutch? Or is riding the clutch not at all bad for the car?

A clutch is basically two or more plates that rub together to transfer the power from the engine to the transmission. Normally keeping the clutch partially pressed while moving the car is a bad idea as the two plates are slipping and this is causing excessive wear on the clutch. Since you aren't giving it any throttle it probably isn't too bad. Normally when backing out of a parking spot or when stuck in a traffic jam you let the clutch completely out and then fully in when you are stopping. I have seen people who feather the clutch to hold the car while waiting at a light that is up hill. This is very bad for the clutch and will wear it out very quickly.

Basically you want to release the clutch as fast as you can without jerking or stalling the car to minimize wear.

Good Luck and practice!

 

[rickysals]

i think riding the clutch is only really bad when doing normal driving... riding it for a long period of time. I guess some people will leave their foot lightly on the clutch pedal, leaing it slightly depressed... and riding it. When I was learnin to drive manual, a dealer mentioned that to me.

to my understanding, thats how you back up... its how i do. if you're moving a car across a lot, you should be able to go 8-10mph and let out the clutch in first and keep the revs low... depends on the car i guess.

i'd say ride it as little as possible...?

 

[W]

Yeah, ride it as little as possible. The more you ride it, the faster it wears out. Anyways, you'll figure it out.

 

[Joel]

For example, how does one back out of a tight parking spot without riding the clutch? Or is riding the clutch not at all bad for the car?

When I'm backing out, I don't use the throttle at all. I just let out the clutch enough that it will roll by itself.

 

[CokerRat]

On an NSX, yep, there's enough torque off idle to avoid stalling the engine. On lesser cars, like my 99 Accord, riding the clutch is the only way to travel either short distances or at very low speed. I use it like impulse thrust when backing out or inching forward... let the clutch out with some gas/revs to get rolling, then put the clutch all the way back in and let the car roll for a short distance. Lather, rinse, repeat as necessary.

 

[naaman]

Thanks guys. I've been trying to get someone to teach me manual for years, but now I'm realizing that I probably won't need a teacher.

On an NSX, yep, there's enough torque off idle to avoid stalling the engine. On lesser cars, like my 99 Accord, riding the clutch is the only way to travel either short distances or at very low speed. I use it like impulse thrust when backing out or inching forward... let the clutch out with some gas/revs to get rolling, then put the clutch all the way back in and let the car roll for a short distance. Lather, rinse, repeat as necessary.

That's good to know, as I'm trying to work things out so that I can buy an NSX in the next year or two, and I just want to go straight into manual.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

A good technique is the "pop and roll" Let the clutch out a little, give it some gas, and when it bites push the clutch back in all the way and get off the gas. This way you won't be riding the clutch, you'll just gain some momentum and let the car roll in neutral. In my Scion before I had the better clutch installed I could start off with absolutely NO gas input in 5th gear just by feathering the clutch and get it to start moving (without stalling).