I have seen a lot terms associated with the clutch; riding the clutch, feathering the clutch, slipping the clutch, etc...etc. What exactly are they? Would someone be kind enough to explain to me and others who are like me have no clue on this matter? like how do you know when these situations happen? how does your car react when these happen??
This is how I have been shifting my gear. Let say shitf into First gear. I step on the clutch to an engage point(which means I dont step it ALL the way in) but just enough so I can shift into my gear. so when the gear is Shifted. I GRADUALLY let go of the clutch, and step on my gas at the same time. I don't let go the clutch ALL at once but I slowly let it go back out(you know what I mean??). So is this consider riding the clutch or what? Is there anything wrong with the way I am shifting?? thanks guys

 

well.. lets start out with:

Riding the Clutch (same as Burning the clutch, slipping the clutch)
How do you know when these situations happen? Ususally its my girl driving the car. (sorry honey .. I love you )
How does your car react when this happens? : you smell the clutch cooking away, and I am ususally yelling at her to stop it

Your shifting fine.

 

There's nothing wrong with the way you're shifting. Riding the clutch means that you're not releasing the clutch as quickly as you should. So if you're shifting and your left foot is involved for more than 2-3 seconds...you're riding the clutch.

Dropping the clutch means that you very quickly release the clutch...not gradually.

At least that's my impression of those terms.

 

so the way you are shifting, you are "slipping" the clutch. most of the time, during regular driving, you have to slip the clutch at least a little to have smooth shifts.

 

Your doing fine.

 

*You're +1