Does pressing the clutch tighter make the car faster or slower?
3 Answers
Pressing the clutch down makes the car faster. Here are the specific details about the clutch: 1. Three key points of clutch operation: Fast, Slow, and Linkage. When lifting the clutch pedal, follow the principle of "Fast, Slow, and Linkage." When starting, press the clutch pedal swiftly and firmly to ensure complete separation. 2. Fast, Slow, and Linkage: The process of lifting the clutch pedal is divided into three stages. Initially, lift quickly. Once you feel the clutch pressure plate gradually engaging to the semi-linkage point, slow down the lifting speed. From semi-linkage to full engagement, lift the clutch pedal slowly.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over ten years. When you press the clutch pedal firmly, the speed definitely slows down. Because at the moment you press it, the connection between the engine and the transmission is cut off, and power is no longer transmitted to the wheels. The car starts to coast on inertia, similar to being in neutral. I often use this technique when shifting gears: for example, when downshifting from third to second gear, I press the clutch firmly to let the speed drop first to match the new gear, avoiding jerking. In city traffic jams, this trick is very useful—lightly pressing the clutch while braking helps slow down and prevent rear-end collisions. But don’t press it too hard on highways, as losing engine traction can cause the car to decelerate sharply, which is risky. Remember, slow and smooth clutch operation saves fuel and protects the system. The basic principle is that pressing the clutch firmly reduces speed.
As a novice who just got my driver's license, my manual transmission instructor kept emphasizing: The tighter you press the clutch, the slower the car goes. Pressing it deeply disconnects the engine from the drive wheels, cutting off power and causing the car to coast and decelerate. At the training ground, I personally experienced that pressing it all the way down makes the speed drop rapidly, especially when stopping on slopes where the car tends to roll back. Gear shifting also relies on this action—pressing it firmly to reduce speed before shifting makes the process smoother. The instructor said safety comes first; don't press it all the way for too long, or you'll lose control and damage the car. Through practice, I've learned that pressing firmly isn't for acceleration but deceleration, helping to avoid accidents.
