How to drive a Wuling Hongguang manual transmission?
2 Answers
You need to engage first gear, then slowly lift the clutch pedal with your left foot. Pause briefly when the clutch reaches the engagement point as there is a significant speed difference between the flywheel and clutch disc. Then continue gradually lifting the clutch pedal with your left foot while simultaneously pressing the accelerator pedal slowly with your right foot. This will allow the vehicle to start smoothly. Downshifting in advance is necessary to increase torque on the wheels, enabling quicker overtaking. Always shift to a lower gear beforehand. When going downhill, don't rely solely on the braking system to slow down.
When I first started learning to drive, I drove a Wuling Hongguang manual transmission, which was quite challenging. After getting in the car, the first thing was to press the clutch pedal firmly, shift to neutral, and then start the engine. When starting off, slowly release the clutch with your left foot while gently pressing the accelerator with your right foot to keep the RPM steady at around 1500. Once the car starts moving, hold the clutch steady and don’t release it too quickly. The timing for shifting gears depends on the speed—shift to second gear at around 20 km/h, third gear above 30 km/h, and then upshift to fourth and fifth gears after accelerating further to prevent the engine from groaning. When stopping, press the clutch and brake first, shift to neutral, and engage the handbrake. With a lightweight car like the Wuling, you need to start off gently and avoid sudden acceleration to prevent stalling. Remember to use lower gears when going downhill to control speed and avoid overheating the brakes. Regularly check the clutch tension, as it’s crucial for the vehicle’s safety.
