Am I riding the clutch?

Question

Today, I was reading over the manual for my standard car. Somewhere in the manual I read that you should not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. The thing is, I do that but im not sure to what extent.( I don't actively pay attention to what im doing with my foot while driving)

For me, it feels uncomfortable to have my left foot off to the side. If i need to quickly come to a stop or shift gears quickly, I dont feel at home going the extra 3 inches to the right(to the clutch).

My questions to you are:
Is this riding the clutch?
Where do you keep your left foot?

Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, you are putting pressure on your clutch components.

But my question is, why do you feel you need to have instant access to the clutch pedal????

You can bring your speed way down on your brakes before needing to throw in your clutch, changing gear doesn't need fast changing unless your racing, (in that case you wouldn't use the clutch at all!)

Relax, get comfortable, and take your time changing gears.

Answer 2

As far as riding the clutch goes, yes you are. This is not a good thing because you will either burn the clutch up if there is enough pressure on the pedal, or with even a small amount of pressure you can glaze the clutch plate and won't grab well. When it comes to where you should keep your left foot when coasting in a stick shift, most cars have a dead pedal right next to the clutch pedal that you can rest your foot on when you are not shifting. The only time your foot should even be touching the clutch pedal is when you are changing gears. It may feel uncomfortable but that repair bill that you get when you entirely fry the clutch will make you feel a lot more uncomfortable.

Answer 3

Try to think of your clutch as an "on" and "off" switch. That is exactly what it is. You need to retrain yourself to keep your left foot on the floor, and not use the clutch pedal as a footrest!!!!! If it concerns you about quick changes of gears, remember that you can easily and simply push the shifter into neutral without using the clutch peal at all. Some cars actually have a clutch foot resting space engineered into the floor. Learn to pay attention to what you are doing consciously.

Answer 4

Yes. If the manual says not to rest your foot on the pedal, you shouldn't do it. I usually keep my left foot just to the side of the pedal. From that position, your left foot can get to the clutch just as fast as your right foot can get from the gas to the brake. It will take some getting used to, but you need to keep your foot off of that pedal, or else you will burn out your clutch.

Answer 5

It is very possible to be "riding the clutch" even if you do not think there is any pressure on the pedal. I always kept mine just to the left of the pedal and never had a problem getting it to the clutch in time for what ever came up. I have followed people who thought they were not riding their brakes when they unknowingly were. My car I had to change the brakes just for that very reason, at 24k the brakes were gone, now at over 67k the brakes are about halfway used. I have always kept my foot off the controls that I am not immediatly using.

Answer 6

I see no one has mentioned the throughout bearing.Foot on the clutch keeps the bearing on the fingers in turn releasing the pressure plate from the disc, causing excessive heat and undo wear to disc ,plate and bearing. Good luck with your foot just left of the pedal on the floor and Yes! it is riding the clutch.

Answer 7

if your foot is resting on the pedal even touching it with any pressure you are riding the clutch keep your foot onthe floor in front of the pedal to get to it fast to shift i leave my foot in front of the pedal on the floor while the right foot works the brake and gas pedals

Answer 8

if your foot is on the pedal, you be a ridin the clutch, which makes it slip and will burn it out over time, in a pick up I just fold my left foot up infront of the drivers seat, in my freightliner there is a mini ramp between the clutch pedal and air button on the floor for the tilt on the steering wheel

Answer 9

"using the grab" is once you have your left foot on the grab pedal and your precise foot on the gas pedal. the load of your foot on the grab pedal is sufficient to disengage the grab ever so slightly and reason the grab to slide and rub the grab plate barely adequate to "sand" the grab textile off of the grab disc. it rather is severe positioned on and tear on your grab. additionally if the grab is hydraulic, that's going to positioned on the grab grasp cylinder and grab slave cylinder out. counting on the twelve months make and sort of your automobile, a number of those grab grasp cylinders and slave cylinders are not from now on obtainable even in after marketplace aspects shops. SO end using THE grab !!!! and don't journey the brake pedal the two. Or commerce the wheels for an automated trans type automobile. there grow to be, in all probability, till now it sluggish a asserting we mechanics used plenty.... Pay me now or PAY ME later ....Get the image?

Answer 10

YES THIS IS RIDING THE CLUTCH. YOU SHOULD NOT DO THIS FOR IT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH DISC.YOU WILL WHERE IT OUT FASTER. I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO IT