Why Do You Need to Press the Clutch When Braking?
1 Answers
If you brake without pressing the clutch, the wheels are forced to stop rotating, and the resistance is transmitted to the engine through the drivetrain. The engine cannot overcome such a large resistance and will stop working, i.e., stall. Below are the functions of the clutch: 1. Facilitates car starting: Before the car starts, it is stationary. Since the engine and transmission are rigidly connected, once a gear is engaged, the car will suddenly surge forward due to the abrupt connection of power. This not only causes damage to mechanical components but also makes the driving force insufficient to overcome the huge inertia generated by the sudden forward movement, causing the engine speed to drop sharply and stall. 2. Reduces torsional vibration impact: The output torque of a car engine is usually unstable. During the operating stroke, the inertia of the engine's rotating system can reduce torsional vibration, but the remaining impact still adversely affects the subsequent transmission and driveshaft. The damping springs in the clutch can significantly reduce the torsional vibration impact from the engine, extending the lifespan of the transmission gears. 3. Prevents excessive pressure on the drivetrain from causing damage: During emergency braking, the wheels suddenly decelerate sharply, while the drivetrain connected to the engine maintains its original speed due to rotational inertia. This often generates an inertia torque in the drivetrain far greater than the engine torque, making the drivetrain components prone to damage.