Can the clutch be released directly in second gear?
2 Answers
No, the clutch cannot be released directly. Here is the relevant introduction about the clutch: Clutch: The clutch is located in the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission. The clutch assembly is fixed to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws, and the output shaft of the clutch is the input shaft of the transmission. During driving, the driver can press or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily separate or gradually engage the engine and the transmission, thereby cutting off or transmitting the power from the engine to the transmission. The principle of releasing the clutch: The principle of releasing the clutch is: "slow at first, fast in the middle, and coordinated at the end." When initially pressing down, it should be done quickly and all the way to the bottom. When lifting the pedal, the free travel should be quick, slow when nearing contact, and pause slightly at the semi-engagement point before releasing completely. The key point of this process is to accurately locate the semi-engagement point. To control the vehicle speed effectively, the semi-engagement point serves as the boundary: lifting quickly above it and lowering slowly below it, adjusting downward to select a speed suitable for oneself.
When I first learned manual transmission, I also wondered about this issue. The instructor repeatedly emphasized that you must never release the clutch pedal abruptly in second gear. Think about it—second gear is a low-speed gear, typically used at speeds between 15-30 km/h, where the engine RPM and wheel speed aren’t perfectly matched. If you suddenly lift your left foot completely, the clutch engages instantly, causing the car to jerk violently as if someone kicked you in the back, with loud clunks and severe shuddering. Worse yet, you might stall in the middle of the road. The correct method is to keep your foot on the clutch pedal for an extra second or two, maintaining the semi-engaged state longer while gently pressing the accelerator with your right foot to blip the throttle. Wait until the tachometer needle rises steadily before fully releasing the clutch. This is especially crucial when climbing hills, following traffic, or carrying heavy loads—mastering the finesse of throttle-clutch coordination defines the driving quality of a manual transmission.
