Should You Keep the Clutch Pedal Pressed in a Manual Transmission Car?
2 Answers
When driving a manual transmission car, you should not keep the clutch pedal pressed all the time. Additional Information: Reasons for not keeping it pressed: The clutch should not be pressed while driving. During normal driving, the clutch is in a fully engaged state, with no slipping. The clutch is disengaged by pressing the clutch pedal. While driving, the clutch pedal should only be pressed when starting the car, shifting gears, or braking at low speeds. At all other times, the clutch pedal should not be pressed. Effects of keeping it pressed: Pressing the clutch pedal continuously or keeping your foot on it for extended periods causes the clutch to frequently engage, disengage, or partially slip, accelerating wear on the clutch friction disc and pressure plate. This prevents the engine's power from being fully transmitted to the drive wheels, leading to increased fuel consumption, vehicle wear, and higher driving costs. Therefore, when driving a manual transmission car, avoid keeping your foot on the clutch pedal for long periods, and never press the clutch continuously, as it can cause damage to the clutch.
When I first started learning to drive, I also kept asking this question. With a manual transmission, you don't need to keep pressing the clutch all the time—only when shifting gears. At first, I always kept my foot on it, afraid the car would stall, but my instructor said this would burn out the clutch plate and tire my foot out over time. The right way is to gently press the clutch when starting or shifting, then release it naturally like stepping on a pedal once the operation is done. If you keep pressing it, the clutch stays in a semi-engaged state, which increases fuel consumption and accelerates part wear. After driving thousands of kilometers now, I find manual transmission quite smooth—just relax and develop a rhythm.
