Why Do Driving School Cars Move When the Clutch is Released?
2 Answers
Vehicles in driving schools are adjusted by instructors or staff to increase the idle speed, making it easier for students to operate. This adjustment also enhances safety and the learning process, making it simpler to pass the driving test. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Private cars: Privately owned cars typically have lower idle speeds. If only the clutch is released, it might work fine on downhill roads, but during normal driving or uphill, there's a higher chance of stalling. 2. Idle speed: Idle speed refers to the speed generated by the engine during normal operation without pressing the accelerator. If the idle speed is high, simply releasing the clutch to a semi-engaged state will cause the vehicle to move forward.
I remember when I was learning to drive at driving school, the first time I felt the car slowly move as I released the clutch was quite magical. At first, I thought you had to press the accelerator, but later the instructor explained that this is mainly because the engine has enough RPM and power at idle to drive the wheels, especially on flat ground—the engine can start the car moving on its own. Driving school vehicles are usually set with a slightly higher idle speed to prevent students from stalling frequently. This is actually a common principle of manual transmission cars: the clutch connects the engine to the transmission, and when released, power is gradually transferred to the tires, allowing the car to move slowly without additional throttle input. I think this is especially beginner-friendly, making it easier to master hill-start techniques and avoid panic in traffic jams at intersections.
