Should the heel be off the ground when lifting the clutch pedal?
2 Answers
When lifting the clutch pedal, the heel should be off the ground. Keeping the heel off the ground provides much better control over the clutch and is also more effortless. When starting the car, the right foot should be suspended over the accelerator pedal, while the left foot slowly lifts the clutch pedal. Once you feel the car starting to move forward slightly, you can press the accelerator. Key points for correctly operating the clutch: 1. Clutch pedal posture: The ball of the foot should be on the clutch pedal, with the heel touching the ground. When the clutch is fully depressed, the knee should remain slightly bent. 2. When starting the car: (1) Quickly depress the clutch pedal all the way in one motion. (2) Rapidly release to the half-engagement point while slightly pressing the accelerator to increase engine RPM. (3) Slowly lift the clutch pedal, pausing slightly when reaching full engagement. 3. Downshifting: First reduce the car's speed until it reaches the appropriate speed for downshifting, then quickly depress the clutch pedal. 4. Upshifting: Increase the accelerator to raise engine RPM, quickly depress the clutch pedal, then slowly release the accelerator. 5. When stopping the car: Depress the clutch pedal when the car's speed is below 15 KM/H, then use the brake to bring the car to a complete stop. After stopping, slowly release the clutch pedal.
As a beginner learning manual transmission, I'm particularly concerned about clutch operation issues. Initially, I kept unconsciously operating with my heel lifted, which made my legs extremely tired - every drive felt like martial arts training. My instructor corrected me, saying this posture was completely wrong: keeping the heel off the ground destabilizes the ankle, causing jerky clutch release that leads to stalling or lurching. Now I keep my heel grounded and only lift the clutch with my toes, which gives much better control. Not only do I get smoother starts, but repeated operation in traffic doesn't cause fatigue. This technique proves incredibly useful, especially when combined with proper seat adjustment that keeps knees slightly bent and feet naturally flat. After persisting for a month, driving manual feels as effortless as automatic. Proper posture saves effort and ensures safety - I advise beginners not to develop bad habits through laziness, as it tires you out and harms the vehicle.
