Should the clutch be released quickly or slowly after shifting gears?
1 Answers
The speed of releasing the clutch is related to the driving conditions. Generally, when the vehicle is at low speed (such as starting or shifting from first to second gear), the clutch should be released slowly. When the vehicle reaches a certain speed (such as shifting from second to third gear, third to fourth gear, etc.), the clutch can be released quickly. During the process of starting the vehicle (0-1st gear), a larger torque is required, especially when starting on a slope. To prevent the engine from stalling due to insufficient torque, the driver usually releases the clutch slowly. There is a difference between the engine speed and the transmission input speed to ensure sufficient torque while maintaining the minimum engine speed for continuous operation. When shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the vehicle already has some speed, and its inertia can prevent the engine from stalling. However, to ensure smooth driving, it is recommended to release the clutch slowly. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, the vehicle has reached a certain speed, and quickly releasing the clutch has minimal impact on driving smoothness, so the clutch can be released faster. After the vehicle reaches normal driving speeds, the clutch can be released quickly, as this has little effect on driving smoothness. The purpose of shifting gears: The engine's output characteristics are fixed. If the engine's speed is directly transmitted to the wheels without change, the wheel speed and torque would also remain constant, making it difficult to adapt to different conditions. For example, when climbing a slope, high speed is not needed, but high torque is required, so a higher gear ratio is used. During high-speed driving, torque requirements are lower, and a lower gear ratio is used. The switching of gear ratios is the function of shifting gears. Converting fixed torque output into varying torque suitable for different road conditions makes the vehicle more flexible and adaptable.
