Can a car drive in first gear with the clutch pressed?
3 Answers
Driving in first gear with the clutch pressed is not possible. The speed of a car depends on its own gravity and inertia. Once the braking system of the car fails, the direct consequence is that the driver cannot control the vehicle at all. Tips for driving in first gear: When braking in first gear, the most correct method is to press the clutch. Since the speed is relatively slow in first gear, not pressing the clutch while braking can easily cause the vehicle to stall. For manual transmission vehicles, in low-speed situations like first gear, the best way to decelerate without stalling the engine is to press both the clutch and brake simultaneously. Precautions for driving: Apply light brakes over a long distance when approaching a red light. This is a common technique used by many drivers on the road, especially in urban areas with frequent traffic lights, to maintain as much distance as possible from the vehicle ahead. Utilize engine braking wisely when going downhill. Avoid pressing the clutch when descending a slope; instead, use the engine's own braking force to control the speed.
Last time I drove a manual, I forgot to release the clutch, and the car inched forward like a snail climbing a hill for about two meters, with the dashboard shaking violently. Actually, you can crawl in first gear by slipping the clutch, but the clutch disc grinding against the flywheel makes a screeching sound, and within half a minute, the smell of burning fills the air. The mechanic said doing this a few times would cost around 2,000 yuan to replace the clutch set. This maneuver should only be used for emergency moves—never treat it as normal driving. If you're a beginner practicing hill starts and afraid of rolling back, it's safer to use the handbrake. If you really need to move the car after stalling, slipping the clutch for about a meter and then quickly shifting to neutral is the right way to go.
When driving a manual transmission car, pressing the clutch and shifting into first gear while the engine revs loudly but the car moves as slow as a turtle, the principle is that the clutch isn't fully engaged, causing the power to grind between the flywheel and clutch disc. Moving a short distance of three to five meters might be acceptable, but exceeding ten seconds will overheat the clutch disc. Once, I saw a neighbor drive like this, and the burning smell filled the entire street. A special reminder: rear-wheel-drive cars should never attempt this, as the force on the driveshaft can easily damage the transmission gears. If you really need to move the car temporarily, it's better to push it directly or, when starting, lightly press the accelerator and quickly release the clutch. Always remember, safety comes first.
