Is it okay to shift gears without fully depressing the clutch?
1 Answers
No, this is an incorrect operation method. Shifting gears without fully depressing the clutch will produce significant abnormal noises and accelerate the wear of the clutch disc. Here are some relevant details: 1. When shifting gears: Depressing the clutch during gear shifting is necessary to disconnect the engine flywheel from the clutch disc. During gear shifting and starting, there is a significant speed difference between the engine flywheel and the clutch disc. Therefore, the semi-engaged clutch (half-clutch) technique is used when starting to gradually synchronize the speed of the clutch disc with that of the engine flywheel. 2. When downshifting: When downshifting, you can tap the accelerator with your right foot. This prevents the car from experiencing significant jerking after engaging the clutch, a technique known as rev-matching or throttle blipping. With some practice, you can master the rev-matching technique. If there is noticeable jerking after completing the gear shift and engaging the clutch, it indicates a significant speed difference between the engine flywheel and the clutch disc. Such jerking can cause some damage to the transmission and drivetrain.