What happens if you shift gears without pressing the clutch?
2 Answers
Shifting gears without pressing the clutch can damage the clutch plate. The method for shifting gears with the clutch is as follows: 1. When upshifting, follow the principle of "press (clutch), shift (neutral), press (clutch), engage (higher gear)" by quickly pressing the clutch pedal twice to easily shift to a higher gear. When downshifting, follow the principle of "press (clutch), shift (neutral), release (clutch), rev (throttle), press (clutch), engage (lower gear)". 2. Press the clutch pedal twice, rev the engine once in neutral after the first press, hold for a moment, then press the clutch pedal a second time while shifting the gear lever to the lower gear.
I've been driving for over 30 years. Once during a long-distance trip when I was in a hurry, I tried shifting gears without depressing the clutch. The transmission made loud clunking noises and the whole car shook violently. Later I learned that forcing the gearshift without using the clutch can damage the gear synchronizers, and in severe cases may require a complete transmission overhaul. This operation is like forcibly jamming together two gears rotating at different speeds - the gear edges get chipped, making shifting progressively rougher over time. Even now, I still regret those expensive repair bills. My advice is to always develop the habit of depressing the clutch before shifting, no matter what. Don't destroy a transmission worth tens of thousands just to save one second. This is far more dangerous than a flat tire, as you might suddenly lose power while driving on the highway.
