Should the accelerator be released when depressing the clutch to shift gears?
3 Answers
When depressing the clutch to shift gears, the accelerator needs to be released. Here are the extended details: Release the accelerator when shifting: Release the accelerator while depressing the clutch, then change the gear, and release the clutch to the semi-engagement point while simultaneously pressing the accelerator. When upshifting, release the accelerator, depress the clutch, shift up, release the clutch, and press the accelerator. When downshifting, release the accelerator, depress the clutch, lightly tap the brake, shift down, release the clutch, and apply the accelerator as needed. In general, the accelerator should be released during all gear shifts. Depress the clutch after releasing the accelerator: When shifting, release the accelerator first and then depress the clutch. When releasing the clutch, keep your foot on the pedal until it fully returns to its original position to ensure smoother gear engagement. Start gradually pressing the accelerator when the clutch is about halfway released to avoid any jerking sensation in the car.
When shifting gears in a manual transmission, you must release the accelerator pedal. After driving for so many years, it has become a habit for me—the moment my left foot presses the clutch, my right foot immediately lifts off the gas pedal. This allows the engine speed to naturally drop, ensuring smooth gear shifts. If you keep pressing the accelerator, the engine will suddenly rev up, causing the tachometer to spike, which not only sounds unpleasant but also wastes fuel unnecessarily. Once the gear is engaged, gradually release the clutch while applying throttle to avoid jerky movements. Developing this habit is crucial for protecting the clutch disc, as consistently shifting while pressing the accelerator accelerates wear and tear, leading to costly repairs. Especially during stop-and-go traffic in daily commutes, paying attention to this detail can save a significant amount on fuel costs.
As an enthusiast of car modification, releasing the throttle during gear shifts is an essential skill. Every time I approach a corner on mountain roads, I synchronize pressing the clutch and releasing the throttle to precisely control the power transition. If the throttle is still pressed during a gear shift, the engine's free revving will disrupt the RPM matching, causing noticeable gear shift jerks and making acceleration out of the corner less smooth. The joy of driving a manual lies in this coordinated hand-foot control. Remember, during special operations like rev-matching on downshifts, the timing of releasing the throttle needs to be even more precise, but for regular upshifts, releasing the throttle is absolutely necessary. This habit also extends the transmission's lifespan by avoiding mechanical shocks from forced gear engagement at high RPMs.
