I have just started driving lessons and i would just like someone to explain to me about the clutch and the breaks, every time you have your foot on the break do you have to push right down on the clutch, or just when your totally break the car?
2007-05-23 00:02:19 · 9 answers · asked by rachel h 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Brakes to Slow,
Gears for Go!
The clutch basically connects the engine to the wheels. When you want to stop, press the brakes and then the clutch, because you don't want the engine to keep the car moving when you want to stop. Not pressing the clutch in this instance will cause a stall.
The only other time you need to press the clutch is for changing the gears, which is when you are speeding up.
So you can slow the car a little with just the brake, and then go back on the accelerator to keep going, but if you slow the car alot with the brakes and you need power to pull away and speed up, then you would press the clutch to change the gear to a lower one, then release the brake and complete the gear change as usual.
DO NOT ROUTINELY PRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN! Slowing down is the job ofthe brakes
2007-05-23 01:54:26 · answer #1 · answered by Trevor h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The clutch disconnects the engine from the wheels.
It's mainly used when you're changing gears (You move a gearwheel out of the 'drivetrain' and put another one in. This would be more difficult if the engine was trying to drive the wheels at the same time).
When the wheels stop turning, you will also stop the engine if you can't disconnect it from the wheels. The engine can run very slowly, so you don't need to apply the clutch unless you're going to stop completely.
So the clutch is used just before the car comes to a standstill.
In an emergency stop, you need to apply the brake immediately, and not worry about using the clutch until you've almost stopped moving. Partly, this is because the engine can help to slow the wheels down, if it's still connected to the wheels (engine braking).
2007-05-23 00:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by Fitology 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For starters, it is "brake" and not "break".
If slowing slightly, it will not be necessary to depress the clutch.
For more significant slowing (e.g. to a 30mph limit from 60mph), you may have to change down a gear or two, for which you will need the clutch.
If you are slowing to a stop, you will need to press the clutch before the car comes to a stop.
The clutch allows the engine to be disengaged from the gearbox (and hence the wheels). If you stop without using the clutch, you stop the engine too - which is not a good idea. Also, as you slow to a stop, if you don't use the clutch the brakes will be trying to slow the car, but the engine will still be trying to drive it forward, so your braking distance will be increased, and your brakes will wear more quickly.
2007-05-23 02:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the clutch alone at higher speeds and you will benefit from the braking effect of the engine. As the car slows down, you will feel it start to judder as it reaches stalling speed. Ideally, you should disengage the clutch just before this happens and you will soon get to know when this should be. It varies from car to car, even those of similar models.
2007-05-23 01:00:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jellicoe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The CLUTCH disconnects the ENGINE from the WHEELS when it is depressed.
The BRAKE slows down the WHEELS
Thus, you need to depress the clutch just before you come to a halt. If you are going down a steep hill, or approching a junction you may drop to a lower gear and when you let the clutch up, the effect will be the car slows down via the gearbox/engine. Very convenient at a junction/roundabout, as you need to be in a lower gear anyway.
2007-05-23 00:49:23 · answer #5 · answered by johncob 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you slow to a stop you must press the clutch to prevent the car stalling. If you are just slowing slightly you do not need to do so unless changed up or down a gear. Good luck with the lessons.
2007-05-23 00:06:36 · answer #6 · answered by simon j 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should not coast and while the car is moving and the clutch is pressed you are coasting except when you are changing gears (this is unavoidable). Therefore brake in good time so that you do not make a sudden stop and just before you stop depress the clutch fully.
2007-05-23 00:12:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anthony B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wooo not just me, who got confused. But i found out that if your breaking to slow down you don't need to put your foot on the clutch... but if you slowing down and then stopping that is when you have to put your foot on the clutch... my instructer comented on what i was doing cos everytime i slowed i put my foot on the clutch... n he asked if it was a natural reaction lol i just said yeah so id idnt look stupid! lol
2007-05-23 00:08:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you sound to me as if you need a good instructor because if he's allowing you to drive on the road and your asking questions like that i would say your endangering your life and perhaps someone else's as well
2007-05-26 07:46:24 · answer #9 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋