Do You Need to Keep Pressing the Accelerator When Driving a Manual Transmission Car?
2 Answers
The accelerator, a device on an internal combustion engine that controls the fuel supply, is generally controlled by a pedal in car engines, also known as the throttle pedal. It is the device used to control the fuel supply in vehicle engines. When driving a manual transmission car, except when shifting gears, the accelerator is usually kept pressed. Techniques for Starting a Manual Transmission Car with the Accelerator: When starting a manual transmission car, press the accelerator after engaging the clutch and shifting into first gear. Once the clutch is fully released (on a flat road where the car doesn't roll back), you can then press the accelerator. First, lightly press the accelerator (just enough to make the tachometer needle move slightly, similar to revving the engine in a race car before starting, but not too much—this acts as a warm-up). This is a crucial step in the quick-start technique for manual transmission cars. Slowly release the clutch (from fully pressed to fully released, it must be done slowly and smoothly—this is key and requires practice to achieve a linear motion). Then press the accelerator. The term 'then press' means releasing the clutch first and then pressing the accelerator, but the time gap should not be too long, or the car will jerk and stall. A 0.5-second gap is ideal, and this should be done by feel rather than deliberate calculation. This is another recurring point in the quick-start technique for manual transmission cars—developing a sense of timing. As one foot slowly releases the clutch, the other foot gradually presses the accelerator. Finally, make sure to give enough gas to reach around 2500 RPM—any higher will waste fuel.
When I first started learning manual transmission, my instructor always emphasized not to floor the accelerator or keep my foot on it constantly. In fact, when driving, your foot can be more flexible. For example, when waiting at a red light or coasting downhill, you can completely take your foot off the accelerator and let the car roll on its own. However, when maintaining speed on flat roads or accelerating uphill, you need to press the accelerator to stabilize the engine RPM. When shifting gears, it's common to release the accelerator and press the clutch, which makes the driving smoother and also saves a bit of fuel. Still, developing good habits is crucial—don't keep your foot firmly on the pedal as soon as you get in the car, as it can lead to fatigue and isn't safe. Overall, the accelerator is a tool for controlling speed, and using it correctly makes driving effortless and enjoyable.
