Should You Press the Clutch When Shifting Gears in Subject Three?
2 Answers
In Subject Three, you should press the clutch when shifting gears because the engine output shaft needs to engage with the next gear in the transmission. If the engine output shaft is not disconnected from the transmission input shaft during gear shifting, the transition between the two sets of gears cannot be completed, and the gear lever cannot be moved to the next position. Forcing a gear shift may break the gear lever and damage the gears in the transmission. Different gears have different matching points, and it is difficult to match them without pressing the clutch. Generally, manual transmissions have a protection mechanism—forcing a gear shift will not work, and you will hear the sound of metal grinding. Subject Three regulations stipulate that the clutch should not be pressed continuously for more than 10 seconds (5 seconds in some provinces and cities), meaning the time spent pressing the clutch before and after shifting should not be too long.
You must press the clutch when shifting gears; otherwise, the transmission will grind and get damaged. I've driven a manual transmission car for ten years and have always made it a habit to press the clutch when shifting—it's not only crucial for protecting the vehicle but also for driving safety. During the driving test (Subject 3), if you shift without pressing the clutch, the examiner will deduct points or even fail you outright. Beginners often forget this when first learning, so I recommend repeatedly practicing the shift from 1st to 2nd gear on flat roads to build muscle memory. During the test, stay calm and use the engine sound and tachometer to assist your operation, avoiding gear shifts on slopes that could lead to dangerous rolling. Even in daily driving, frequent shifts without the clutch accelerate wear and tear, and repairs aren’t cheap.
