How to Press the Clutch?
3 Answers
Pressing the clutch is done by pressing the clutch pedal downward with the sole of your foot. Related information: 1. Introduction: The clutch refers to the separation device between the car engine and the transmission, also known as the clutch. In automatic transmission cars, the clutch is integrated into the transmission to achieve automatic shifting. 2. Expansion: The clutch is not the brake. In purely automatic transmission cars, there is no clutch, only the brake and accelerator. The clutch cannot be used as a brake either. If you press the clutch while going downhill, the car will speed up because the transmission is disconnected from the wheels, and the engine cannot control the car. The car's speed will increase under the effect of gravity.
Operating the clutch requires skill. Having driven manual for over five years, the key is finding the friction point: gently press the clutch pedal all the way down with your left foot, keep your heel planted after shifting, then slowly release the clutch with the ball of your foot as if stepping on cotton—pay attention to the slight vibration of the car's front end. At this point, your right foot should follow up with a bit of throttle to raise the RPM to around 1500 for stability. For hill starts, remember to use the handbrake in coordination—beginners can master it with about ten practice attempts. If the engine stalls or the car shakes excessively, it's likely due to releasing the clutch too quickly, so you'll need to recalibrate and feel for that critical point again.
When learning to drive, my instructor taught me the 'three slow and one fast' mantra—press quickly, lift slowly, and start steadily. Operating the clutch is like playing on a seesaw; when your left foot presses down, your right foot must simultaneously ease off the accelerator. My initial mistake was lifting my entire foot with the heel off the ground, which easily caused jerking. Later, I learned to keep my heel on the floor, using only the ankle to control the initial lift and lowering, making the car much smoother. After each gear shift, waiting half a second before lifting the clutch, especially when following at low speeds, helps avoid the car nodding.
