What I do is when I'm slowing down, I clutch, then put the car in the gear I'm intending to use after I slow or stop and hold the clutch down while I'm waiting or I clutch and put the car in neutral and release the clutch until I'm ready to go. My hubby says I'm riding the clutch. Is this good or bad? I can change gears very smoothly with no problem, but he doesn't like me clutching style. I had to teach myself to drive a standard many years ago and this is only my 2nd standard car. What am I doing wrong? He's a trucker, but I know the clutching is different between an 18 wheeler and a 5 speed. Any advice from you professionals out there to help me settle this dispute and maybe save my clutch and pressure plate and tranny? I'd appreciate only mature answers and none of the I'm too old for this kind of car insults. It's just a car. I love it and don't want to tear it up. My first manual tranny was a Mustang and replaced a clutch with in 3 months. I thank you for helping. God Bless you.
2007-09-22 03:18:22 · 15 answers · asked by kystarlyte_kystarlight 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
You are only 'riding the clutch' if it is partially engaged which means you have it half way up or down...
If your foot is on the clutch and it is completely down on the floor, your clutch is NOT engaged whiich means you are not riding it..only when you start moving and you are letting up on it but don;t let it up all the way..this is riding the clutch...a good rule of thumb is either have it depressed all the way down or have your foot off it....when you start moving keep your foot off it as little as possible...
2007-09-22 09:37:46 · answer #1 · answered by Ernie G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So far from what I have read, everybody is telling you that you are right or wrong, but not what is happening to the car so you can make your own decision. When you have the clutch pedal I, you are moving an actuator similar to a fork, that presses a bearing (clutch bearing) down on the fingers of the pressure plate. The pressure plate is what captures the clutch plate by pressing it against the fly wheel (back of the engine) and transmits the power to the transmission. While you are pressing the clutch pedal down, the bearing is carrying all of the forces and at the same time spinning at the same rate of the engine. Here is what your husband is worried about, the bearing is not meant for continual pressure and the lubricants in it will not take the amount of heat developed. The bearing can freeze up and when it happens it can either tear up the actuating fork or the fingers on the pressure plate, either of these will make it so you can not use the clutch and will be expensive. With that being said if you expect the light to be short, 5 to 10 seconds, go ahead and keep the clutch in but if you figure you will be there for more than 10 seconds, let it rest.
2007-09-22 05:04:38 · answer #2 · answered by george m 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
>>What I do is when I'm slowing down, I clutch, then put the car in the gear I'm intending to use after I slow or stop<<
You don't say how fast you're going.
It is common for people to down shift to use the engine to slow the vehicle, saving the brakes some. If you're talking about coming to a light that is changing or turning a corner, not sure why shifting before you stop would be a problem. It is unconventional but at low speeds, not sure where it would be a problem.
>>hold the clutch down while I'm waiting or I clutch and put the car in neutral and release the clutch until I'm ready to go<<
If you put it in neuteral, could release the clutch.
Riding the clutch usually refers to keeping your foot on the clutch when you're not using it. This keeps constant pressure on the clutch causing premature failure.
For the most part, limiting how much the clutch is used increases its' life span. And to repair a clutch will require dropping the transmission.
2007-09-22 06:12:54 · answer #3 · answered by Not so Fast 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Riding the clutch is when you have your foot resting on the pedal but not fully depressed while the car is moving and causes the clutch to slip thus overheating it and causing premature failure. Nothing wrong with the way you're doing it but semi drivers tend to avoid using the clutch because they have to shift so much so they cheat by revving the engine enough to slip the shifter into neutral when stopping or slowing down and then rev again to pick the next gear which is hard on the synchro's in the trans....well, semi transmissions are much beefier than car ones and can handle that kind of shifting much better. Talk to some trans mechanics for their advice. Cheaper to replace a clutch setup on a car from normal use than a whole trans or rebuild.....keep shifting the way you do.
2007-09-22 03:53:15 · answer #4 · answered by paul h 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong with holding the clutch down when waiting to go except the pressure plate is doing unnecessary work If you are riding the clutch you are not releasing the clutch pedal quickly enough when changing gear and havent fully released your foot from the accelerator at the same time.Listen to hubby he knows. I owned a garage and a lady customer burnt clutches out like fury because she had a very difficult access to her garage and slipped the clutch badly to get in there. It is all about co--ordination between your feet controlling the clutch and accelerator pedals
2007-09-22 03:33:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When slowing down, push the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor, while you are moving the shift lever to the next lower gear, give the accelerator pedal a quick shove to bring your engine rpm's up to your now faster transmission rpm's. Then let the clutch out smoothly and relatively quickly. Never drive with your foot touching the clutch pedal. When starting off in first gear, you must learn to " feather " your fuel feed [ gas pedal ] and letting out the clutch pedal smoothly with moderate speed. Avoiding stalling, tire spinning, hopping, etc. This all takes a lot of practice and should be learned to the point where it happens naturally, without much thought. Driver training is usually easier and more successful without a spouse or relative, patience and understanding is truly helpful.
2007-09-22 04:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by locksmith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When not using the clutch keep your foot off it. Only put your foot on it when it is going to be used. Resting your foot on the clutch will reduce the pressure on the pressure plate and let it slip and burn the clutch. I see nothing wrong with your shifting method. I can't shift mine to 1st gear till I stop and if I don't down shift I just let off the gas and slip it into neutral and most of the time I don't use the clutch I shift by RPM change and just use the clutch to take off.
2007-09-22 03:55:26 · answer #7 · answered by Dana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your hubby. And riding the clutch is probably the reason you had to replace the clutch so soon in your Mustang (riding the clutch is very hard on it). I have had a number of cars with manual transmissions, and they only time I have had to replace a clutch wasn't until the car was 16 years old.
2007-09-22 03:24:23 · answer #8 · answered by D D 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're sitting still, holding the clutch ALL THE WAY down, you're not "riding the clutch". Riding the clutch is keeping your foot on it while you're moving and the car is in gear, and that IS bad. I've driven more manual transmissions in my life than automatics.
2007-09-22 03:29:00 · answer #9 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should try and not ''ride'' the clutch as you drive as you will eventually burn it out...instead,come down the gears and gently use your brake as you are slowing down,then select the appropriate gear for pulling away,either 1st or 2nd...1st if you are at a stand still,2nd if you are still moving...try not to ''freewheel'' ie-coast in gear with your foot on the clutch,as you are not fully in control...hope this helps a wee bit.
2007-09-22 05:17:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋