Can You Press the Accelerator Before Fully Releasing the Clutch?

[HarmonyMarie]

It is possible to gently press the accelerator before fully releasing the clutch, but you should avoid pressing it abruptly. In certain special situations, coordination between the accelerator and clutch is necessary. During this coordination, the left foot should slowly lift the clutch pedal while the right foot gradually presses the accelerator pedal. The clutch is part of the car's transmission system. It is installed between the engine and the gearbox, with the pressure plate fixed to the engine's flywheel. The clutch disc is located between the pressure plate and the flywheel. The clutch disc is a wear-prone component that requires regular replacement. As the car's mileage increases, the clutch disc will continue to wear out. Failure to replace it over time can lead to clutch slippage.

[CaydenFitz]

I've been driving for over a decade, and not fully releasing the clutch while stepping on the gas is something I do practically every day. When starting with a manual transmission, isn't it all about partially engaging the clutch while giving it some gas? My driving instructor used to say that hill starts absolutely require this technique, otherwise you're guaranteed to stall. The real issue is you can't maintain this state long-term. Last month when I was getting my car serviced, I saw my neighbor kid's clutch plate completely burnt to a crisp—all because he'd habitually ride the clutch and shake his leg at red lights, causing the metal plates to overheat from friction and fail completely. During normal driving, you must develop the habit of quick clutch engagement and release. When moving your right foot from the gas to the brake, you should also fully depress the clutch, otherwise that awful grinding sound will break your heart.

[JoyFitz]

To be honest, riding the clutch while giving it gas is like making the clutch disc dance on a barbecue grill. I've seen quite a few burnt-out clutches dismantled at repair shops, their surfaces all grooved from wear. The principle is simple: when the clutch isn't fully engaged, the engine speed and transmission speed are out of sync, causing the metal plates to grind against each other and generate astonishing heat. This is especially true when crawling in traffic in first gear with the clutch partially engaged—the temperature just keeps climbing. I made this mistake myself when delivering goods in a small truck. After just three months of this habit, the clutch started slipping—I'd floor the gas on steep hills and the truck wouldn't move. Later, I learned to limit clutch riding to under 3 seconds per start, and went 60,000 kilometers without needing new clutch plates.

[McJulia]

When I first got my driver's license, I also struggled with this issue. The instructor taught: when starting at a red light turning green, slowly lift your left foot to the half-clutch position, give a little gas when the car trembles slightly, and immediately release the clutch completely once the car moves. The key is in the word "immediately"! Once, I was stuck in traffic at a roundabout, moving with half-clutch and stepping on the gas for five minutes, and when I got out of the car, I smelled a burning odor. The mechanic pointed at the clutch plate and said the blue oxidation layer on it was proof of high-temperature burning. Now it's muscle memory for me—as soon as the speed exceeds 5 km/h, I completely release the clutch. It's fine to use it occasionally in daily driving, but never make it a regular practice.