Why Do You Need to Press the Clutch When Shifting Gears?
2 Answers
Manual transmission cars require you to press the clutch pedal all the way down. If not fully depressed, the car may produce abnormal noises or even cause the clutch to vibrate. The function of the clutch: The clutch, as the name suggests, serves to separate and engage. It disconnects the engine from the wheel transmission system. In other words, when the clutch is pressed, the engine's transmission is disconnected from the wheels, preventing the engine's power from being transferred to the wheels to drive the car. When the clutch is released, the engine's transmission reconnects with the wheels, transferring power to them and allowing the car to move. The principle of the clutch: When the driver presses the clutch pedal, the mechanism causes the diaphragm spring to push the pressure plate backward, separating the driven part from the driving part. Different speeds from the engine's transmission need to be transferred to the wheels at varying speeds. This requires disengaging the slower gear from the wheels and engaging the higher-speed gear with them. This process of disengagement and engagement is facilitated by the clutch.
When I first learned to drive, I couldn't understand why shifting gears required pressing the clutch. The instructor always said it was to prevent the car from stalling or making grinding noises. Later, I realized this action actually temporarily disconnects the engine from the transmission to avoid direct gear clashes. During gear shifting, the engine is still running, and if you don't press the clutch, the power isn't cut off, making it easy for the new gears to grind and wear out, which can be costly to repair. As a beginner, I tried skipping this step out of laziness, and the car jerked violently, with the steering wheel shaking terribly—it was terrifying. After more practice, I realized pressing the clutch is like giving the car a buffer period; shifting becomes smooth only when the RPMs match. Safety first—new drivers should practice this action diligently to protect both the car and themselves, not cutting corners for convenience. Once it becomes a habit, it doesn't feel troublesome anymore.
