Can the clutch be released in neutral gear?
2 Answers
No. After depressing the clutch and shifting gears, when the car's speed hasn't picked up yet, the clutch should be released slowly. Releasing the clutch too quickly may cause the engine to stall. You can wait until the clutch is fully released before applying throttle, as coordinating the clutch and throttle requires relatively high skill. Below is relevant information: Hill start: Hill start is the most challenging aspect of driving. Don't even think about releasing the clutch immediately - sometimes even slowly releasing it can cause the engine to stall. The correct operation is to gradually release the clutch until the engine vibrates, then immediately step on the accelerator after releasing the brake pedal. If you're not skilled enough, you can also use the handbrake to ensure driving safety. Driving precautions: Never coast in neutral gear when going downhill with an automatic transmission. As mentioned in the precautions for coasting in neutral gear downhill, coasting in neutral is equivalent to idling while parked. The fuel injectors continue to spray fuel, which doesn't save much fuel but can easily cause carbon buildup and is not environmentally friendly.
When I first got my driver's license, my instructor taught me to drive a manual transmission. Every time I shifted into neutral while parking, he said it was perfectly fine to release the clutch pedal—it wouldn't stall the car or cause it to move, and it would give my foot a rest, avoiding fatigue from keeping it pressed for too long. After driving for several years now, commuting daily, I've gotten used to releasing the clutch when in neutral at red lights or in traffic jams, which feels much more comfortable for my legs. However, it's important to develop good habits: remember to press the clutch again before starting, and avoid accidentally releasing the clutch while in gear, as this could stall the car and cause damage. Additionally, here's a related tip: proper manual transmission operation can extend the vehicle's lifespan, such as minimizing half-clutch usage, which benefits the gearbox by reducing unnecessary wear—great for beginners to practice more.
