Should You Release the Clutch When Pressing the Accelerator?
2 Answers
You do not need to press the clutch when stepping on the accelerator. Here are some related tips about the clutch: 1. Clutch operation techniques: Use the ball of your left foot to control the clutch pedal, with your heel as the pivot point. When starting the car, first press the clutch pedal, then find the semi-engaged state. Simultaneously, lightly press the accelerator with your right foot to increase the engine speed, then slowly release the clutch, pausing slightly when reaching the semi-engaged state. When downshifting, first reduce the car's speed until it reaches the appropriate speed for the lower gear, then press the clutch and follow the 'one fast, two slow, three linkage' principle to control the clutch.
I remember being really confused about this when I first learned to drive. The instructor said that pressing the accelerator and releasing the clutch need to be coordinated—you can't just step on the gas without releasing the clutch, or the car won't move at all and will just rev pointlessly, wasting fuel. When starting, first press the clutch all the way down to shift into gear, then slowly release the clutch to the semi-engagement point—when you feel the car slightly vibrate—and immediately give it a little gas by lightly pressing the accelerator, and the car will start smoothly. If you release the clutch too quickly or don't give enough gas, it'll definitely stall. I've tried it many times and got honked at by cars behind me, which made me panic. Now, every time I drive, I remind myself to practice the coordination between the accelerator and clutch more. It's easy to get flustered as a beginner, but there's no need to rush—just take it slow, and it'll become second nature with practice. Watching driving tutorials regularly also helps a lot, like when starting on a slope, you need to give it more gas to prevent rolling back. In short, if you want the car to move when pressing the accelerator, you have to release the clutch—it's all about timing and pressure. Otherwise, you'll waste money, damage the car, and put yourself in danger. Driving a manual transmission is all about mastering these details as the foundation.
