What to Do If the Clutch of the Exam Car Is Too Loose?
3 Answers
Before stepping on the clutch, it is essential to first get a feel for the clutch of the vehicle you are using. Some clutches are loose, some are tight, some are high, and some are low. You must adjust your seating position according to the vehicle model. The heel should serve as the pivot point, allowing the ball of your foot to effortlessly press the clutch all the way down while keeping your thigh relaxed. When pressing the clutch, keep your heel on the ground and use the strength of your ankle and knee to control it—this method is suitable for beginners. Alternatively, you can lift your heel and use the strength of your thigh to control the clutch.
I also encountered a test car with an overly loose clutch when getting my driver's license, which really affected my operation. With this kind of car, the vehicle lurches forward as soon as you lift your foot, and the semi-engagement point is particularly vague. My suggestion is to press the clutch a few more times before starting to get a feel for it, and remember to lift the clutch half as fast as usual while pressing the accelerator a bit more than normal. When starting on a slope, hold the handbrake and don't release it in a hurry—wait until you feel the front of the car slightly rise before letting go of the handbrake. This way, even if the clutch is released a bit, it's less likely to roll back. If you really can't control the speed, you can drive with the clutch half-pressed instead of fully releasing it. After all, speed isn't important in Subject 2, but stalling means an immediate fail, so safety comes first!
The clutch issue in exam vehicles should be viewed dialectically. The soft tuning primarily reduces gearshift shocks and protects the transmission, but it's indeed less user-friendly for trainees. Before swiping your ID card, immediately test the clutch pedal depth. From my observation, the clutch pedal travel in test vehicles is typically 30% longer than in training cars. Key points: When shifting gears, fully depress the clutch before engaging, and pause for 1 second at the bite point before fully releasing—don't pursue perfect smoothness, as this helps maintain control even if the car shakes. If stalled, stay calm: first shift to neutral before restarting; at worst you'll lose 10 points with chances remaining.