Do You Need to Press the Clutch When Making a U-Turn in Second Gear?

[Laila]

You do not need to press the clutch when making a U-turn in second gear. Here are the relevant details: 1. When turning: When encountering a turn, slow down and turn while in gear. If the speed is too fast and you press the clutch, the car may accelerate, leading to a skid. 2. In heavy traffic: If making a turn at a congested intersection, you can use first or second gear, press the clutch, and rely on the car's idle speed to turn. Keep your foot on the brake to prepare for any sudden situations. 3. Real-world scenarios: In actual situations, the conditions may be more complex. You should also consider the size of the curve and road conditions. However, always remember to control your speed before turning—brake to reduce speed, decelerate less for wide turns and more for sharp turns.

[SanCora]

Whether to press the clutch when making a U-turn in second gear with a manual transmission depends on the situation. Generally, U-turns require very low speed, and second gear can easily cause stalling due to lugging. I always press the clutch in advance, control the speed to around 5-10 km/h, and then turn the steering wheel slowly. This makes steering easier and prevents stalling. If you force the turn without pressing the clutch, the engine might stall, especially if pedestrians or electric bikes suddenly appear mid-turn, making sudden stops more likely to cause stalling. In fact, experienced drivers often shift to first gear before making a U-turn. But if you're already in second gear, it's safer to press the clutch. Remember to check the road conditions before turning and never rush.

[Robin]

I recommend pressing the clutch when making a U-turn in second gear. Because the turning speed drops very low, the engine RPM can't keep up at such low speeds in second gear, making it easy to stall. When I make U-turns, I always press the clutch to control the speed, leaving about a palm's width of space for steering wheel movement. Especially when the road has a slope or is carrying heavy loads, the risk is greater without pressing the clutch. Actually, the clutch acts as a buffer for speed changes at this time, temporarily disconnecting the engine from the drive wheels. Additionally, when making U-turns, you often need to stop suddenly to yield, and the response is quicker in a semi-engaged clutch state. I've seen beginners try to force a turn in second gear without pressing the clutch, resulting in the steering wheel getting stuck in the middle of the road—way too dangerous.

[Eleanor]

It's best to depress the clutch when making a U-turn in second gear with a manual transmission. During the turn, the vehicle speed will drop, and the minimum matching speed for second gear is about 15 km/h. Falling below this speed can easily cause the engine to stall. When making a U-turn, I depress the clutch to let the car coast through the turn, which allows me to focus on steering without being constrained by the engine. If the clutch isn't depressed, the engine might suddenly stall halfway through turning the steering wheel, and losing power steering can be quite troublesome. Actually, first gear is the optimal choice for U-turns, but if there's no time to shift, operating second gear with the clutch is much safer. This technique is even more crucial when driving on slippery roads in the rain.