What exactly is "riding the clutch?"
- Thread starter psteng19
- Start date
It's somewhat that, but it's more of what I said. Even just the weight of your foot can make a little bit of slippage difference, and every little bit of slippage is wear.
Basically it means not letting the clutch out fast enough when taking off; I've also heard it used when you're on a hill at a stop, revving the engine a bit and letting the clutch engage just enough to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards.
Or driving with your foot on the pedal, as Eli described, I suppose.
Really though, the true meaning comes from not letting the clutch pedal all the way out, whether starting off or holding still on a hill.
You can ride the clutch a bit to have really smooth takeoffs and shifts, too. If you can't shift smooth normally, that is.
Or driving with your foot on the pedal, as Eli described, I suppose.
Really though, the true meaning comes from not letting the clutch pedal all the way out, whether starting off or holding still on a hill.
You can ride the clutch a bit to have really smooth takeoffs and shifts, too. If you can't shift smooth normally, that is.
It is holding or feathering your clutch pedel inbetween it's fully engaged position and fully disengaged position. This is also referred to as "slipping" In this state the pressure plate does not have enough pressure to hold the clutch against the flywheel, causing them to spin at different speeds. This difference in speed between the flywheel and clutch surface will eventually cause enough heat to "glaze" or smooth the surface of both of them to where the friciton nesecary for a full contact will no longer be possible.
Yeah. I agree. It's some combination of both.Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Basically it means not letting the clutch out fast enough when taking off; I've also heard it used when you're on a hill at a stop, revving the engine a bit and letting the clutch engage just enough to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards.
Or driving with your foot on the pedal, as Eli described, I suppose.
Really though, the true meaning comes from not letting the clutch pedal all the way out, whether starting off or holding still on a hill.
You can ride the clutch a bit to have really smooth takeoffs and shifts, too. If you can't shift smooth normally, that is.
Basically, its driving/moving("riding") with the clutch not fully engaged or disengaged. The less you leave it in the middle ground, the better, and the longer your clutch will last.
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Basically it means not letting the clutch out fast enough when taking off; I've also heard it used when you're on a hill at a stop, revving the engine a bit and letting the clutch engage just enough to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards.
Or driving with your foot on the pedal, as Eli described, I suppose.
Really though, the true meaning comes from not letting the clutch pedal all the way out, whether starting off or holding still on a hill.
You can ride the clutch a bit to have really smooth takeoffs and shifts, too. If you can't shift smooth normally, that is.
Well, I guess I ride the clutch then, becuase that's the only way I can get smooth shifts. Especially when shifting to first, and first to second.
But I don't leave the foot on the clutch pedal when I don't have to.
Originally posted by: Eli
Yeah. I agree. It's some combination of both.Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Basically it means not letting the clutch out fast enough when taking off; I've also heard it used when you're on a hill at a stop, revving the engine a bit and letting the clutch engage just enough to keep the vehicle from rolling backwards.
Or driving with your foot on the pedal, as Eli described, I suppose.
Really though, the true meaning comes from not letting the clutch pedal all the way out, whether starting off or holding still on a hill.
You can ride the clutch a bit to have really smooth takeoffs and shifts, too. If you can't shift smooth normally, that is.
Basically, its driving/moving("riding") with the clutch not fully engaged or disengaged. The less you leave it in the middle ground, the better, and the longer your clutch will last.
So when driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic, aren't you essentially riding the clutch for a good percentage of the time?
If not, then the ride will become very jerky with the clutch fully engaged and moving at 5-10 mph speeds in 1st gear.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,512
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Only if you have no clue how to be smooth with the throttle and clutch. I can start my car in first gear without touching the throttle and it will idle along at ~5 mph just fine with no jerking. Have to be smooth with the throttle, but it's definitely do-able.
If you can't make that work, you should engage the clutch fully, then disengage it fully once you're rolling and coast as much as possible. Don't ride it.
ZV
Ditto. Even in heavy traffic, I rarely have to step on the clutch as long as we average about 5 mph. I just leave a sizeable gap between me and the car in front of me. As long as no one cuts right in front of me, I'll be fine by just letting the car roll.
Get in the habit of keeping your foot literally OFF the clutch pedal when you are not shifting. If you hover your foot over the pedal surface, make sure you don't get lazy and start resting it on the pedal again. Even a slight pressure (like from lightly resting your foot on the pedal in between actual shifts) is often enough to engage the bearing which pushes the clutch in - over time this will lead to premature wear....
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
It's not horrible, to an extent. In city driving it can be useful, and the fact that the clutch on my 164k mile Accord is still doing great with my dad and I riding the clutch in slow city driving, not all the time, just at lights, stop signs, slight hills, etc.
nooo don't even say that...it's worth learning how to drive a manual RIGHT, rather than wimp out and get an auto.
blurredvision
Lifer
- Oct 19, 2000
- 17,860
- 4
- 81
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,512
- 22
- 81
Congrats.Originally posted by: vshah
i succesfully heel and toed for the first time today
-Vivan
That's a great feeling, isn't it? ZV
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,512
- 22
- 81
There are a lot of people to whom a car is an appliance. There's nothing wrong with that view and if they would rather have an automatic, that's their prerogative.
I do agree with you though that if you have a standard transmission and want to drive a standard transmission you should learn to drive it properly, but there's nothing wrong with choosing an automatic.
ZV
Originally posted by: blurredvision
REAL men trust the car to shift for them.
That's like saying REAL men aren't threatened by going to gay bars dressed in pink dresses.
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