Should You Press the Clutch or Release the Throttle First When Shifting Gears?

[Eloise]

Clutch and throttle control should be synchronized. The correct steps are as follows: 1. Release the throttle. 2. Press the clutch. 3. Shift gears. 4. Slowly release the clutch. 5. Gently apply throttle simultaneously. Gear shifting, abbreviated from "gear lever operation method," refers to the driver's continuous adjustment of the gear lever position through various psychological and physiological movements in response to road conditions and vehicle speed changes. When shifting gears in a car, if you press the clutch first without releasing the throttle, the connection between the engine and the drive wheels is disconnected. The engine then operates without load, but since the throttle is not released in time, the engine speed will surge, or you may hear a sudden roar from the engine. If you simply release the throttle when shifting gears, the vehicle speed will briefly drop. Then, when you press the clutch to shift, the car will experience noticeable jerking. The process is: acceleration → deceleration → acceleration, resulting in discontinuous power and strong jerking sensations for passengers. If the clutch is released too quickly, the car may jerk repeatedly, causing discomfort and potentially leading to motion sickness. Therefore, the most crucial skill in driving a manual transmission car is the coordination between the clutch and throttle. Mastering this coordination means mastering the essence of manual transmission driving, making your driving smoother and more seamless.