Does pressing the clutch reduce speed?
3 Answers
Pressing the clutch does reduce speed. Below are relevant introductions about the clutch: 1. Clutch operation techniques: Use the heel of your left foot as a pivot point and control the clutch pedal with the ball of your foot; when starting the car, first press the clutch pedal down, then find the semi-engaged state while slightly pressing the accelerator with your right foot to increase the engine speed, then slowly release the clutch, pausing slightly when reaching the semi-engaged state. When downshifting, first reduce the car's speed until it reaches the required speed for the lower gear, then press the clutch and follow the principle of 'one fast, two slow, three linkage' to control the clutch.
When I was younger and drove manual transmission cars, this often happened. Pressing the clutch would indeed cause the speed to gradually decrease because the connection between the engine and the wheels was cut, leaving only inertia to push the car forward, much like letting go while skating—resistance would cause the speed to drop. Normally, when shifting gears on flat roads, I’d press the clutch, and the car would coast a bit farther before slowing down, but don’t worry, this is completely normal. Occasionally pressing the clutch to decelerate on long highway drives can even save fuel. I recommend beginners practice in open areas first and avoid trying this on slopes—rolling backward can be dangerous. Experienced drivers know that mastering clutch control can make driving smoother.
From a physics perspective, this is quite straightforward. The engine's power is transmitted to the wheels via the clutch connection. When you press the clutch pedal, you're essentially disconnecting the power source, leaving only the wheel inertia to propel the vehicle. However, due to air resistance and ground friction, the speed naturally decreases. I've often observed this phenomenon while driving manual transmission cars. For instance, releasing the accelerator on a flat road and then pressing the clutch causes the speed to drop faster than anything else. This design is primarily for safe gear shifting—don't mistake it for engine failure. But remember, holding the clutch pedal down for too long may damage the transmission, so daily operations should be swift and decisive.
