How to Control Vehicle Speed with the Clutch?
2 Answers
Clutch control of vehicle speed is achieved by: 1. For manual transmission vehicles, start by pressing the clutch, engage first gear, use the half-clutch state to start the vehicle, lightly press the accelerator, then shift up and press the accelerator; 2. In emergency situations, first press the brake, and after the vehicle speed slows down, press the clutch to prevent stalling from sudden braking. The clutch is located within the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission, with the clutch assembly secured to the rear plane of the flywheel by screws. The output shaft of the clutch is the input shaft of the transmission. During vehicle operation, the driver can press or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily separate or gradually engage the engine and transmission, thereby cutting off or transmitting the engine's power input to the transmission.
Clutch control for speed regulation mainly relies on the semi-engaged state, which is particularly useful during low-speed driving. During driving school, instructors repeatedly emphasize the foot feel of the clutch: pressing it all the way down cuts off power, fully releasing it transmits power, and stopping in the middle is the semi-engaged state. In city traffic jams, I often use this technique by gently lifting the clutch with my left foot until the car body slightly vibrates, allowing the vehicle to crawl smoothly at a snail's pace of 2-3 km/h, with my right foot always ready to brake. However, experienced drivers remind me that keeping the clutch semi-engaged for over 30 seconds can easily burn the clutch plate. It's safer to use a low gear when going down steep garage ramps. Beginners should focus on practicing semi-engaged clutch control for hill starts, which prevents rolling back and saves fuel.
