Do You Need to Press the Clutch When Turning a Car?
4 Answers
Whether you need to press the clutch when turning a car depends on the following two situations: 1. If the turn is not sharp and the road is clear, there will be no sudden acceleration or deceleration during the turn, so there is no risk of stalling due to gear mismatch. In this case, you don't need to press the clutch and can proceed directly. 2. In other situations, which means most of the time, you still need to press the clutch, stay in gear, and adjust speed or even stop as needed. If the speed is sufficient, you can fully depress the clutch to coast through the turn and release the clutch while accelerating out of the turn. 3. When turning to prevent unexpected actions from pedestrians, electric bikes, or tricycles, it's common to lower the speed. In general, it's advisable to use the semi-engaged clutch for control. Alternatively, you can use the throttle and brake in low gear without pressing the clutch, but this is less effective and may lead to stalling if not careful.
Never depress the clutch when cornering with a manual transmission! My driving instructor repeatedly emphasized this during my license test. The clutch should only be used when starting or shifting gears. During turns, you need to rely on the engine's traction to control speed. If you fully depress the clutch in a corner, the wheels suddenly lose power and can easily skid or lose control. The correct approach is to downshift to second gear before entering the turn, lightly press the brake with your right foot to control speed, and steadily steer through the turn. Remember, your foot must absolutely stay off the clutch pedal during the turn—this is a critical safety issue. Practice downshifting with rev-matching regularly, and once you're familiar with it, cornering will feel especially stable.
It depends on the situation. For normal curves, you definitely shouldn't press the clutch, but for particularly sharp right-angle turns or U-turns, I occasionally use half-clutch to control speed. Driving schools teach that pressing the clutch in curves is absolutely forbidden, but with more experience, I've found that half-clutch at ultra-low speeds can prevent stalling when maneuvering. However, remember not to do this if the speed exceeds 10 km/h, as insufficient tire grip can cause skidding. Additionally, when turning in rain or snow, it's better to downshift early—even half a second of clutch engagement can be dangerous. Ultimately, turning relies on anticipation; experienced drivers release the throttle and prepare to brake 200 meters in advance.
Stepping on the clutch while turning is a suicidal move! I've personally witnessed a novice driver doing this and veering off a mountain road. When the engine is connected to the wheels, it provides stable traction, akin to someone holding onto a rope for you. Pressing the clutch is like suddenly cutting that rope, causing the car to slide out like a bar of soap. Three steps for cornering: check the rearview mirror → brake and reduce speed 50 meters in advance → downshift to third gear and maintain steady throttle through the turn. Don't rush to accelerate when exiting the turn; straighten the steering wheel before applying throttle. Remember: your left foot should always rest on the floor except when shifting gears.
