Should You Press the Accelerator After Fully Releasing the Clutch?
3 Answers
No, you can press the accelerator while releasing the clutch. Below is an introduction to the related content: 1. Coordination Between Clutch and Accelerator: When starting a manual transmission car, you need to release the clutch and press the accelerator simultaneously. This is called the coordination between clutch and accelerator. 2. Adjustment: Proper coordination between clutch and accelerator requires adjustments based on the vehicle speed. During the starting phase, place the gear in neutral. After starting, press the clutch pedal all the way down, shift the gear lever into first gear, and slowly release the clutch while pressing the accelerator pedal to ensure a smooth start. 3. Note: When pressing the clutch pedal, make sure to press it all the way down. While slowly releasing the clutch pedal, feel the vehicle's vibration and movement tendency. Once the vehicle starts to vibrate slightly and shows signs of moving, gently press the accelerator and continue to slowly release the clutch pedal until it is fully released, ensuring a smooth start. 4. Gear Shifting: Coordination between clutch and accelerator is equally important when shifting gears while the vehicle is in motion.
When I first learned manual transmission, this issue really bothered me. The instructor taught that it's completely normal to press the accelerator after fully releasing the clutch, because at that point the engine and transmission are connected, and directly applying throttle can accelerate the car. But when starting, I was often in a hurry - I'd stomp on the gas as soon as I released the clutch, causing the car to lurch forward like being kicked, which gave me quite a scare. Only after more practice did I understand: you need to lightly tap the throttle during the half-clutch state, slowly release the clutch, and then apply steady acceleration after fully releasing it. It's okay to start slowly - otherwise you risk clutch wear or stalling. I recommend beginners practice in open areas to get a feel for coordinating the throttle and clutch. Remember: the timing of acceleration after clutch release is crucial - too early wastes power, too late makes the car sluggish. Safety first.
Having driven manual transmission for over a decade, releasing the clutch and stepping on the accelerator has become second nature to me. After completing a gear shift and fully releasing the clutch, all the power is transmitted, and applying throttle at this point ensures smooth acceleration. On highways, shifting gears and stepping on the accelerator after releasing the clutch makes the car run more smoothly without dragging. However, be careful not to stomp on the accelerator the moment the clutch is fully released, especially when climbing hills or in lower gears, as this can cause the engine RPM to skyrocket, wasting fuel and damaging the car. I’ve developed a habit of applying slight throttle during the half-clutch phase when starting, then transitioning to full acceleration after completely releasing the clutch to reduce jerking. Operating this way over time extends the lifespan of the clutch plates and makes gear shifts smoother. In city traffic jams, lighter movements save effort and reduce wear.
