Should the Clutch Be Fully Depressed When Shifting Gears?
2 Answers
When shifting gears, the clutch must be fully depressed. Fully depressing the clutch during gear shifting is necessary to completely disengage the engine from the transmission gears, allowing the gear lever to change the gear set before re-engaging. Since the gear sets before and after shifting are different, there is a speed difference between the gear sets to be engaged after shifting, which is synchronized by the synchronizer. If the clutch is not fully depressed during the gear engagement process, there will be a significant speed difference between the shifting gear set and the transmission gear set, making smooth meshing difficult. In mild cases, this can accelerate wear, while in severe cases, it may cause gear grinding and damage to the transmission. Below are explanations of clutch operation in different scenarios: When moving at low speed: For manual transmission vehicles, if the car is stationary and the brake is fully applied without disengaging the clutch, the engine cannot move the car, causing the crankshaft to stop and the engine to stall. During movement, as long as the car's speed is higher than the speed corresponding to the transmission gear ratio at engine idle, the car will not stall. When braking at low speeds, the clutch must be depressed first to disconnect the engine's power transmission and prevent stalling. When moving at high speed: When decelerating, if the speed is above 40, it is advisable to brake while in gear (this effectively utilizes the engine's resistance to decelerate, reducing brake pad wear and avoiding clutch wear). Once the speed drops below 40, depress the clutch to shift to neutral or an appropriate lower gear. At high speeds, brake without depressing the clutch initially, and only depress the clutch after slowing down to prevent stalling.
When I first started learning to drive, I also struggled with this issue. In fact, you must press the clutch pedal all the way down when shifting gears, otherwise the gears in the transmission may collide, making a grinding noise, and it can easily damage the synchronizer. I remember one time when I didn't press it all the way down, the car suddenly shook, which scared me into braking immediately. Later, my instructor told me that pressing it all the way down completely disconnects the engine from the power transmission, allowing for smooth and unobstructed gear shifting. It's best for beginners to develop this habit, and also pay attention to avoiding partial clutch engagement when stopping. After practicing a few times, I understood why it's important—not only does it protect the vehicle, but it also extends the lifespan of the components. If you don't press it properly, the gears may not engage firmly, which could create a safety hazard, especially when turning or changing lanes.
