Should the Clutch Pedal Be Kept Depressed in a Manual Transmission?
2 Answers
Manual transmission clutch should not be kept depressed continuously, as unnecessary clutch engagement will inevitably accelerate clutch wear. Moreover, depressing the clutch while going downhill is equivalent to "coasting in neutral," which is a highly unsafe practice. Under the influence of the vehicle's own weight and momentum inertia, the car is prone to losing control. Clutch Mechanism: The clutch is located within the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission. The clutch assembly is secured to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws, and the output shaft of the clutch serves as the input shaft of the transmission. During driving, the driver can depress or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily disconnect or gradually engage the engine with the transmission, thereby cutting off or transmitting the engine's power to the transmission. Principles of Clutch Release: The principle of clutch release follows: "slow at first, quick in the middle, and coordinated at the end." Initial depression should be quick and fully executed in one motion. The upward release should be rapid during the free travel phase, slow as it approaches engagement, with a brief pause at the halfway engagement point before complete release—this encapsulates the entire process.
Over the years of driving manual transmission cars, I've noticed that novices always keep their foot on the clutch pedal, which is actually very damaging to the car. During normal driving, you don't need to touch the clutch at all unless you're shifting gears or starting from a stop. I once witnessed a friend ruin his release bearing in just six months because he kept resting his left foot on the pedal in traffic. Keeping the clutch pressure plate partially engaged for long periods generates high heat, which not only burns out the friction disc but also leads to repair costs equivalent to half a year's fuel expenses. Especially on highways—once you've shifted to 5th gear for cruising, your left foot should comfortably rest on the dead pedal. Remember this tip: When shifting gears, press the clutch decisively and release it completely immediately after, as if shaking off a hot potato. This driving technique saves effort, protects the car, and prevents accidents caused by mistakenly hitting the accelerator.
