What Causes Severe Shaking When Slowly Releasing the Clutch in First Gear?
2 Answers
Reasons for car shaking when slowly releasing the clutch: Uneven pressure distribution in the car's clutch, incorrect pressure position; or the clutch pressure spring is too strong; oil contamination or breakage of the driven disc lining; bending of the main or driven disc, inconsistent height of the release levers. The following are details about the clutch: Function of the Clutch: The role of the clutch pedal switch is to ensure smooth starting of the car, achieve smooth gear shifting, and prevent overload of the transmission system. The switch on the clutch pedal is a normally closed switch. When the clutch is depressed, the switch opens, and the engine control unit does not receive a signal from the clutch, indicating that the engine connection is to be disconnected. Therefore, it reduces the ignition advance angle and decreases fuel injection for power reserve. Working Principle of the Clutch: The driving and driven parts of the clutch transmit torque through the friction between contact surfaces, or use liquid as a transmission medium (hydraulic coupler), or magnetic transmission (electromagnetic clutch), allowing temporary separation and gradual engagement, while permitting mutual rotation of the two parts during transmission.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for twenty years and often encounter this situation. When slowly releasing the clutch in first gear, severe shaking usually indicates excessive wear on the clutch disc—thinner friction surfaces lead to unstable engagement and uneven power transfer. Another possibility is thermal deformation or unevenness of the flywheel, causing jerking during initial engagement. I remember my old car had this issue last year, and upon inspection, the pressure plate springs were found to be loose, causing uneven pressure and vibrations. If you frequently drive in city traffic with frequent stop-and-go, excessive use of the half-clutch state can accelerate wear. For maintenance, avoid slamming the clutch and release it smoothly when starting. If the shaking becomes severe, it's best to get a comprehensive check at the workshop—replacing the disc usually solves the problem. Don’t delay until you stall on the road. Safety first—minor repairs cost a few hundred, but major delays could run into thousands. Better to address it early.
