Should the accelerator be released when shifting gears?
2 Answers
When shifting gears in a car, the accelerator needs to be released. Detailed instructions on releasing the accelerator when shifting gears are as follows: 1. 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 apply the brakes, shift down, and release the clutch. Apply throttle as needed. Generally, the accelerator should be released when shifting gears. Operating a manual transmission car without releasing the accelerator during gear shifts is challenging. 2. When downshifting, release the accelerator and lightly apply the brakes to control the speed within the range suitable for the target gear, depress the clutch, engage the corresponding gear, and then slowly release the clutch. Downshifting is a deceleration process, but it doesn't mean completely ignoring the accelerator pedal. After completing the shift and fully releasing the clutch pedal, the accelerator pedal should be pressed immediately to achieve smooth power transition. 3. It is possible to shift gears while pressing the accelerator pedal, but this will lead to excessive wear of the clutch plates.
Driving a manual transmission car indeed requires some skills. After driving for over a decade, I've found that the coordination between the throttle and clutch is particularly crucial. About one second before shifting gears, you need to lift your right foot off the accelerator pedal, allowing the engine speed to naturally drop. Simultaneously, decisively press the clutch pedal all the way down with your left foot, then complete the gear shift. It's like dancing to a rhythm - the three movements of releasing the throttle, pressing the clutch, and shifting gears should flow smoothly. If you don't release the throttle in time, the clutch plates will grind harshly, and prolonged operation like this will lead to clutch slippage, which isn't cheap to repair. I've seen cases where people kept dragging without releasing the throttle, resulting in complete clutch failure after just 30,000 kilometers. Automatic transmissions are much more worry-free as the computer automatically controls the throttle, but even when using manual mode, it's better to ease off the throttle slightly before shifting.
