How does the clutch and the gas work in a car?

Question

I am learning to drive and find setting off on hills really difficult. I either stall or make a horrible revving engine sound. How does it actualy work, and how can I find the "biting point" quickly and correctly?

Answer 1

Ok, the car is stationary and the Hand brake is on. Push the clutch to the floor and put the gearlever into first, apply a little throttle (you will need a bit more throttle than a level start), and start to bring the clutch pedal back up slowly, when you feel the car wanting to move forward - the back of the car will feel like it has dropped slightly - that is the biting point. Then release the hand brake and drive off as usual.

You will learn where this is the more often you do it, and will be able to find it instantly after a while. It's all about practice, not many people get it straight away.

Good luck

Answer 2

Have you ever noticed that automatic transmissions roll when your foot is not on the gas? Well if you slowly let the clutch out without adding gas, you car will start to drive too. This would be the "biting point", or the necessary spot to start adding the gas pedal.

If you practice a little on flat ground you will make the learning process easier.

Also, because of the same logic above, you can hold you car in place on a hill by holding the clutch half out or at the point you would have rolled forward, however, this will eat you clutch up pretty fast and be a costly way to learn.

Answer 3

Everyone has so far, made sense, but to learn the 'biting point' of the clutch without damaging the vehicle or clutch, or chance rolling into another vehicle, Try this;
With the car sitting on level ground, and where no other cars are close, start the engine with the clutch pushed in. Put it in first gear and slowly let out on the clutch without pushing on the gas. When the car starts to roll, that's where the biting point is. Do this several times until you think you've got it whipped, then try it using the gas, then try the hill, small one first to reduce the chance of rolling back into another car.
It's not a good habit to get into using the parking break on a hill. Yes, there are times when it's a good thing, but not every time you find yourself on a hill.

Answer 4

This is the way I learnt it (petrol car, diesel is much different):
1. Put car in 1st gear.
2. Set the acceleration - hill start, apply accelerator until the needle of the RPM counter rises to ~ 2 (meaning 2k of 20k rpm). Keep it steady.
3. Raise clutch slowly, usually for most cars around half-way the clutch will begin to interact with the engine. At this point you should see the needle on the RPM counter drop a little. Hold your feet there. This will all depend on the car and the angle of the hill. But the steeper you go the more acceleration you need to apply and the higher you have to bring the clutch (usually very small feet movements).
4. Release handbrake and the car WILL move forward providing your feet are still. As soon as the car moves accelerate harder, while SLOWLY bringing up the clutch further (put accelerator down faster than clutch comes up at this stage).
5. Into gear 2 and your away!

All the best.

Answer 5

thats how I teach people that want to learn and they drive very well 2 this daytrial and error ! go to a parking lot with a slight grade and no or very few cars and practice there for at least 2 hours a day for 3 days then find the steepest hill were you live and stop in the middle and then finish the hill without stalling out drifting back and you should be good to go

Answer 6

the biting point is when you are letting ease of the clutch and putting down the gas pedal at the same time.
the clutch is on the the left and the gas is on the right handside.
put the gear in 1, as soon as your starting to let go of the clutch same time press the gas pedal, it has to be abit accurate or you will stall again. it has to be balanced.

Answer 7

the clutch is just two plates(simple version) that separate when you put your foot on the pedal(by10mm), once you get used to this car you will find the point of 'bite' BUT remember that while your foot is on the pedal there is nothing stopping the engine (load) from free revving.....its all just trial and errorrorror!!

Answer 8

Practice soon you will get it just right! If you have a hand brake even eaiser. If the car does not roll back you won't rev the engine as much. Practice makes perfect

Answer 9

magical mouse that make the engine move

Answer 10

it comes with practise