Does pressing the clutch pedal accelerate or decelerate?

[SanGeorge]

When driving, pressing the clutch pedal will decelerate the vehicle. If you need to slow down while driving, you should first apply the brakes. Avoid pressing the clutch pedal with your left foot while braking with your right foot, as this can cause the vehicle to suddenly lose traction, especially on slippery roads, increasing the risk of skidding. Developing good driving habits is crucial for safety. Relevant information about the clutch is as follows: 1. Introduction: The clutch is located in the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission. The clutch assembly is secured to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws, and the output shaft of the clutch is the input shaft of the transmission. 2. Friction Clutch: The friction clutch is the most widely used and historically oldest type of clutch. It mainly consists of four parts: the driving part, the driven part, the pressure mechanism, and the operating mechanism.

[VonGavin]

As a veteran driver with decades of experience driving manual transmission cars, I clearly understand that the clutch's function is not to directly accelerate or decelerate. When you press the clutch pedal, you're actually disconnecting the engine from the drivetrain, allowing the wheels to spin freely. This is particularly crucial during gear shifts—for example, when shifting from second to third gear, you need to press the clutch to cut off power, then release it while matching the throttle to accelerate after shifting to the new gear. If you keep the clutch pressed continuously, such as when stopped at a red light, the car will naturally slow down due to wind resistance and friction, but this is merely a side effect, not the intended purpose. Acceleration always depends on the throttle pedal to increase engine RPM. I remember when I first learned to drive, I often mistakenly thought the clutch could slow the car down like the brake, but the clutch only manages power transmission—it's the brake that controls wheel deceleration. Proper usage includes slowly releasing the clutch during takeoff to avoid stalling and reducing wear during long-distance driving. The core principle is that the clutch is a control tool, helping with smooth transitions rather than speed adjustment.

[LeAlivia]

From the perspective of a car's internal structure, I understand that the clutch system includes components such as the pedal, release bearing, and pressure plate. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the hydraulic or cable mechanism pushes the release fork, causing the pressure plate to separate from the flywheel, thereby interrupting power transmission. This action itself does not accelerate or decelerate the vehicle; acceleration requires pressing the throttle while releasing the clutch to transfer power, whereas pressing the clutch results in no power output, causing the vehicle to gradually decelerate due to rolling resistance. This is crucial for avoiding gear clashes during gear shifts, such as achieving smooth transitions by matching engine speed during downshifts. Improper clutch maintenance, like partially releasing it, can accelerate wear on the friction disc and affect its lifespan. During my repair training, I tested that coasting with the clutch pressed, while temporarily saving fuel, increases the burden on the drivetrain. Mastering this point is essential for operation, especially in mountain driving, to avoid loss of control.

[GabrielLynn]

I'm just starting to learn manual transmission, and I've realized that pressing the clutch isn't for accelerating or decelerating. It's more like a switch—pressing it disconnects the power chain from the engine to the wheels. For example, when I slow down to stop, pressing the clutch makes the car coast and decelerate, but that's a natural phenomenon. To accelerate, I need to release the clutch while pressing the gas pedal. When shifting gears, I must first use the clutch to disconnect the power before changing gears to prevent jerking. If I accidentally keep it pressed, the speed drops faster, but it's not active deceleration. My instructor emphasizes that this is very practical for avoiding stalling at intersections. In short, it's all about controlling the power connection and disconnection rather than directly changing speed.