
In Subject Three, controlling speed with the accelerator requires gentle pressure. Avoid excessive force when pressing or releasing the accelerator. Press it lightly and lift it slowly. The accelerator and clutch should be coordinated to control speed. During driving, learn to increase or decrease the accelerator based on actual conditions and voice prompts. Below are tips on coordinating the clutch and accelerator in Subject Three road tests: 1. Press the clutch quickly but release it slowly, especially in 1st and 2nd gears. The clutch release should be slower but not as slow as during startup. Practice to get a feel for the right timing. Shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear at 25 km/h with a quick release is generally fine. Press the accelerator slowly, especially when starting in 1st gear or just shifting to 2nd. 2. During gear shifts in Subject Three, release the accelerator, quickly press the clutch, and shift gears slowly. No excessive force is needed—lightly push to neutral and then gently engage the next gear. It should engage smoothly; too much force may cause mis-shifts or jamming. 3. Do not press the clutch and accelerator simultaneously. When shifting, fully release the accelerator, then immediately press the clutch completely. After shifting, release the clutch slightly slower (slower than pressing it, but not as slow as during startup), then press the accelerator. 4. After releasing the clutch, move your foot away—resting it on the pedal counts as pressing. Prolonged pressing leads to coasting in neutral. For gear shifts, brake to reduce speed first, then press the clutch to shift. For stopping, press the clutch and brake directly. 5. During the roadside parking test, if not already in the rightmost lane, lightly brake to shift right before pressing the clutch.

As a driving instructor who has taught thousands of students, I believe throttle control depends on developing a feel through practice. A common issue for beginners is having stiff legs—keep your heel planted on the floor and only pivot your ankle to gently press the throttle, as if stepping on an egg. During tests, pay special attention to pedestrian crossings and school zones; lift off the throttle early when you see the signs and coast. Gear changes test clutch-throttle coordination the most—shift when the RPM reaches around 2000, don't wait until the engine screams. Practice hill starts often; when partially engaging the clutch, apply throttle until the tachometer slightly trembles, then hold steady—master this feel and you'll ace it.

When I first got my license last year, my instructor always yelled at me for pressing the accelerator too hard. Later, I discovered a little trick: using socks to press the pedal! Thin-soled sports socks allow you to clearly feel the vibration of the accelerator, making your right foot as if it had eyes during the test. Don’t panic when passing bus stops or intersections; releasing the accelerator half a second early to slow down is safer than slamming the brakes. The biggest fear during straight-line driving is shaky hands causing the car to veer off course. Gently resting your right foot on the accelerator to maintain 30 km/h works better than staring at the dashboard.

A veteran driver with ten years of manual transmission experience tells you that throttle control is all about anticipation. When you see a red light a hundred meters away, ease off the gas and let the engine's braking force coast you forward slowly. Remember the mantra 'slow in, fast out' when turning at intersections—release the throttle to slow down before entering the turn, then gently apply gas once you spot the exit point. Be extra gentle on rainy days, as throttle response lags slightly, so press the pedal a bit earlier. During tests, don’t be rattled by honking from cars behind—stick to your own rhythm for the steadiest drive.


