Can the clutch be released immediately after shifting gears in Subject 3?
2 Answers
You cannot release the clutch immediately. For shifting from first to second gear and second to third gear, release the clutch slowly. For shifting from third to fourth gear and fourth to fifth gear, release the clutch quickly. When the vehicle speed is slow, release the clutch gradually to avoid strong jerking. Once the speed increases, releasing the clutch quickly will hardly cause any noticeable jerking. Related introduction: 1. 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. 2. Function of the clutch: 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 engine's power to the transmission. The clutch is a commonly used component in mechanical transmission, allowing the drivetrain to be separated or engaged at any time.
I remember during my driving lessons for the road test (Subject 3), the instructor kept emphasizing not to release the clutch pedal abruptly after shifting gears, as it could easily stall the engine. I tried quickly releasing the clutch a few times myself, and the car jerked violently before coming to a complete stop—almost causing me to fail the test. The correct method is to gradually release the clutch pedal after shifting while lightly pressing the accelerator, allowing the clutch plates to engage smoothly for a steady start. This is especially crucial on slopes—releasing too fast can cause the car to roll back or stall, which would heavily deduct points during the exam. It’s also important to maintain this habit in everyday driving. Manual transmission cars rely on clutch control for power transfer; abrupt releases can harm both the clutch and engine lifespan. From my initial confusion to now shifting gears proficiently, consistently easing off the clutch has reduced mistakes and made driving much safer.
