Do You Need to Press the Clutch When Turning a Car?
3 Answers
When turning a car, you need to press the clutch. Before turning, you should first press the brake to slow down. If the engine shakes severely, you need to downshift and then press the clutch to change gears. This is because when turning, pressing the brake to slow down is the priority, while pressing the clutch only cuts off the power, but the car still has inertia. Degree of pressing the clutch: When the car speed is slow during a turn but the gear is too high, and the car tends to jerk or stall, you need to press the clutch to downshift. At this time, the clutch must be pressed all the way down; otherwise, it may be difficult to engage the gear or the gear may not stay stable during downshifting. Correct way to press the clutch and brake when turning: Press the brake before turning to slow down in advance, then shift into the appropriate gear based on the size of the curve and the car speed. After entering the curve, press the brake to slow down and press the clutch. After exiting the curve, press the accelerator to speed up. If you press the clutch directly without slowing down, the car will enter a coasting state, or the power will become weak. In case of an emergency, the driver will have to control the steering wheel, pay attention to the speed, and possibly change gears, which can easily lead to confusion. Precautions when turning: When turning a car, you need to control the speed according to the size of the curve. Try to slow down as much as possible to avoid phenomena such as loss of control or skidding. If a skid occurs, immediately release the accelerator pedal and turn the steering wheel toward the side where the rear wheels are skidding. Once the car returns to the normal driving direction, straighten the steering wheel and proceed. When turning, the operation of the steering wheel should match the curvature of the road and coordinate with the car speed, ensuring appropriate steering angle, timely steering, and prompt return of the steering wheel. It is strictly forbidden to take both hands off the steering wheel to prevent deviation and danger.
When I first started learning to drive, I always thought I should press the clutch when turning, believing it would be safer. As a result, the car suddenly lost power and slid around, which felt extremely dangerous. The instructor immediately reminded me that the clutch is used for shifting gears and isn’t necessary when turning—otherwise, the engine and wheels disconnect, making the speed unstable and prone to loss of control. The correct approach is to select the appropriate gear before entering the turn, such as downshifting to second gear, maintaining slight throttle to control speed and direction, and adjusting as needed after exiting the turn. After developing this habit, driving became smoother and safer, especially on slippery roads where maintaining power continuity is crucial. After driving manual transmission cars more, I realized that overusing the clutch increases wear and may lead beginners to rely on incorrect techniques. In reality, turning is simple: slow down and shift before the turn, then operate naturally through the curve.
When driving a manual transmission car, there's no need to press the clutch additionally during turns. Just complete the gear shifting in advance. With more experience, I instinctively manage the speed, judge the position before the curve, downshift to a lower gear while maintaining slight throttle control, and only press the clutch momentarily during gear changes. Stepping on it unnecessarily is meaningless and even harmful—interrupting power can reduce tire grip, potentially causing skids or accidents in rain or snow. Automatic transmission cars are more convenient as they eliminate clutch concerns altogether. Avoid unnecessary operations, focus on holding the steering wheel steady. The core of turning is maintaining continuous power output—don't let trivial matters distract you.
