Should You Shift Gear or Press the Clutch First When Driving?
2 Answers
The correct procedure is to start the car first, then press the clutch, shift into first gear, and release the clutch to start moving. For manual transmission vehicles, pay attention to the following points: 1. Master the operation of the clutch pedal through practice to develop good habits—press it all the way down and release it slowly. 2. Coordinate the throttle and clutch. When starting, shift into first gear first, then slowly release the clutch while applying throttle in the semi-clutch state. Only release the clutch completely once the car starts moving. 3. Learn the right timing for shifting gears. Shift when the engine reaches around 2000 RPM—first press the throttle, then the clutch, to prevent the clutch from being forcibly disengaged. Then shift gears. The upshift sequence must be first gear, second gear, third gear, fourth gear, and fifth gear—skipping gears is not recommended. Downshift according to the vehicle speed. 4. Shift gears frequently while driving, choosing the appropriate gear based on speed and road conditions. Infrequent shifting can lead to lugging the engine or excessive engine noise, increasing wear and fuel consumption. Therefore, develop the habit of shifting gears often. 5. Make shifting actions smooth—press the clutch all the way down in one motion and shift gears decisively. Familiarize yourself with the gear positions and practice the feel. If the gear is not fully engaged, do not release the clutch, as this can easily wear out the transmission gears.
When I first started learning to drive, my instructor would always remind me to "press the clutch before shifting gears," otherwise the car would make a harsh grinding noise. Once, I was in a hurry to shift and forgot to press the clutch, causing the transmission gears to slip. The car jerked violently and almost stalled. From then on, I developed the habit. The key to driving a manual transmission car is protecting the drivetrain: first press the clutch pedal to disconnect the engine from the transmission, then smoothly engage the gear. If you don't press the clutch, it's like forcing open a stuck lock, which can wear out parts and lead to costly and time-consuming repairs. New drivers should practice more—find an open space and repeat the operation several times until it becomes second nature. Also, be careful not to rush on slopes; safety comes first.
