Why can a manual transmission car move in first gear without pressing the accelerator?
3 Answers
It depends on the minimum throttle setting from the factory (the fuel supply amount when idling at startup), which varies from model to model. If the factory-set minimum throttle value is slightly higher, the car can indeed move in first gear without pressing the accelerator. Some cars can even move in third gear without stepping on the accelerator. Introduction to manual transmission cars: Cars that use a manual shift mechanical transmission (also known as manual transmission, MT) to adjust speed. This means the driver must manually shift the gear lever to change the gear meshing position inside the transmission, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed variation. The gear lever can only be moved when the clutch is depressed. Function of manual transmission cars: Drivers can save fuel by selecting the appropriate gear. The commonly mentioned fuel efficiency of mechanical transmission cars is due to their higher transmission efficiency, which reduces power loss. Driving a manual transmission car requires higher skill levels, and proper and timely gear selection is essential for true fuel savings.
I've noticed many manual transmission beginners are curious about this. Actually, even at idle, the engine keeps rotating, typically at 700-800 RPM. When the clutch is gradually released, the flywheel transfers power to the transmission. First gear has the largest gear ratio, equivalent to using an extra-long lever to pry something - the idle power is sufficient to move the car body. It's just like when riding a geared bicycle, you can start moving with just a light pedal push in the lowest gear. If the car is particularly heavy or parked on a slope, it might still shudder and stall - that's when you need to quickly give it a bit more throttle. Experienced drivers often say this is the 'temperament' of manual transmissions - with a few more practices, you'll find the balance point between the clutch's half-engagement and idle speed.
Last year when I was teaching my wife to drive, she always asked why the car could creep forward without pressing the gas pedal. I had her try this: start the engine, shift into first gear, and slowly release the clutch—the car really could inch forward like a crawling turtle. Later, I took her to see a transmission disassembled at a repair shop. The first gear was much larger than the other gears, and the shop owner said this design was specifically meant to amplify the engine's idle power dozens of times. Now, she relies on this trick for parallel parking, especially in tight spaces—slowly releasing the clutch to adjust the position is steadier than using the gas pedal. However, you have to be careful when the engine is cold; if the coolant temperature hasn’t risen, the idle might be unstable, making it easier to stall the engine.
