How to Control the Clutch Well During Subject 2 Practice?

[Quentin]

First, adjust the seat and rearview mirror, then fasten the seatbelt after getting into the car. Adjust the seat forward and backward. Press the clutch pedal all the way down with your left foot. When pressing the clutch, use the heel of your left foot as a pivot and press the clutch pedal with the ball of your foot. For the semi-engaged clutch operation, follow three steps: fast at first, then slow, and finally engage. The car body will shake, and the engine sound will become low and decrease.

[CaliRose]

Controlling the clutch mainly relies on practicing the feel with your left foot. When I first started practicing for Subject 2, I kept stalling the car. Later, I repeatedly practiced finding the semi-engaged position in an open space every day, with the front part of my foot stepping on the clutch and my heel lightly touching the ground as a pivot. Feel the shaking amplitude of the car body, and the moment when the tachometer needle drops significantly is the engagement point. When the speed is too slow, slightly lift the clutch a bit; when it's fast, gently press it down—avoid lifting or stepping on it abruptly. For starting and hill starting, practice more on the semi-engaged pause, mastering the speed of lifting the clutch and coordinating with the throttle. Remember to wear flat shoes for better stability, and adjust your sitting posture properly without hunching. Additionally, the tightness of the clutch varies for each training car, so take a few minutes to readjust when switching cars.

[DeEllie]

Operating the clutch requires patience and stability. The biggest lesson I learned when first learning to drive was being too impatient, especially when reversing into parking spaces—always trying to get it right in one go and ending up stalling. The instructor said controlling the clutch is like holding a cup of water; movements should be gentle and even. Don't use your whole leg to exert force; just use your ankle and the ball of your foot. When finding the half-engagement point, listen for the engine sound becoming muffled and feel the slight vibration under your foot. Slow down in advance for turns and parallel parking to avoid panicking and pressing the clutch too hard midway, which can cause stalling. In the last few days of practice at the driving school, I focused on maintaining a steady speed below 5 km/h, and during the actual test, I didn't stall once.

[SanAva]

Poor clutch control usually stems from three issues: shaky feet when suspended, incorrect seating posture making it hard to apply force, and not observing RPM changes. I recommend first adjusting the seat so your knees are slightly bent, with heels firmly planted for stability. Before each start, count to three silently while slowly releasing the clutch, pausing for 1-2 seconds at the bite point. For hill starts, coordinate clutch and throttle: lift the clutch until vibration occurs, then gently press the accelerator while slowly releasing the handbrake. When reversing into parking spaces, slightly depress the clutch in advance to reduce speed, keeping the clutch position steady while adjusting direction. If the engine stalls, stay calm—shift to neutral, restart, and try again. Practice hill starts ten times to develop muscle memory naturally.