What are the hazards of depressing the clutch in neutral gear?
2 Answers
Depressing the clutch in neutral gear can affect the service life of the clutch release bearing. The following is relevant information about the clutch release bearing: 1. Overview: The clutch release bearing is a relatively important component in a car. If it is not properly maintained and malfunctions, it will not only cause economic losses but also be quite troublesome to disassemble and reassemble, requiring a lot of man-hours. Therefore, understanding the causes of clutch release bearing failures and performing reasonable maintenance and care during use are of great significance for extending the life of the release bearing, improving labor productivity, and achieving better economic benefits. 2. Function: The clutch release bearing is installed between the clutch and the transmission. The release bearing housing is loosely fitted on the tubular extension of the transmission's first shaft bearing cover. A return spring ensures that the shoulder of the release bearing always presses against the release fork and retracts to the rearmost position, maintaining a gap of about 3-4mm with the end of the release lever (release finger).
The habit of pressing the clutch in neutral gear is quite common while driving, but the damage it causes to the car should not be underestimated. In the clutch system, the release bearing suffers the most, as it endures prolonged pressure and friction, making it prone to overheating, wear, and damage. I have a friend who frequently did this and ended up replacing the bearing twice, costing over a thousand dollars each time. The clutch disc also experiences accelerated wear during idle spinning, shortening its lifespan. Additionally, the engine running in idle consumes more fuel and affects power balance. From a safety perspective, there's no immediate danger, but forming this habit can lead to distractions and missteps while driving—mistaken operations might cause the car to lurch unexpectedly. Overall, while it may seem harmless in the short term, long-term maintenance costs increase significantly, and the car's condition deteriorates faster. That's why I always recommend shifting to neutral and releasing the foot when parked, cultivating good driving habits to reduce repairs and enhance safety.
