Hey, I've got a few more questions on manual transmission since I'm new to it all, so please dont criticize me or flame me for asking BS questions!

1.) What does riding the clutch mean?

2.) Am I hurting the clutch if I'm letting go of it too slow when up-shifting (especially from N to 1)? Am I hurting the clutch if I don't let it off completely in reverse?

3.) Does stalling really damage the car a lot?

Thx

 

1. Riding the clutch means that you've got pressure on the clutch at all times. Get off it! You're gonna burn it up.

2. Similar to riding clutch. If you don't get good contact with the clutch, you're gonna burn it up. Get off it!

3. Could cause a small thermo -nuclear explosion in Oklahoma. Maybe...

 

^^^what he said.

 

Well I kinda press on gas and let go of the clutch until my car starts to roll a little bit, but if I just stay like this for a long time, will it constantly burn up the clutch?

 

I think, like your name, you are joking.

Why don't you just keep riding it like that and find out. The expense will be a good lesson.

 

OUCH........................ +1^^^^^^

 

you must be learning..once you get used to manual you wont need to worry about question 2 and 3...as far as 1, put your car in neutral at stops unless its about to change.

 

also if you are worried about your new car..take a driving class at a school where they supply the car.

 

I agree with this guy, its probably best to be taught. It would be different if u were driving an accent or something else relatively cheap. Do you really want to learn the expensive way, in ur z?

 

When you release the clutch two plates press together tightly, transmitting power from the engine to the drive shaft. If you keep your foot on the clutch you decrease the pressure between these two plates and the plate on the clutch will slip as they rotate. The slippage leads to wear on the clutch plate. If there is enough wear you will need major repairs. When you are shifting, the quicker you can bring up the clutch and engage it completely the better it will be for the mechanism. Experience helps you learn how to do this smoothly.

 

It doesn't apply to if I depress the clutch fully when the car is rolling, but not stepping on gas pedal right? You're only talking about if I depress the clutch and at the same time have my foot stepping on the gas pedal right?

Also, I'm kind of confused about N-1 and N-R right now. This is what I do (tell me if this is wearing the clutch): I have my left foot fully depressed on the clutch, and then rev to about 1.5k and slowly release the clutch to the engaging point, but the thing is, I'm still having trouble finding the engaging point accurately, so it takes awhile. Also, in reverse, I also do the same thing, I let go of my clutch to the engaging point, and then start revving it a little more so the car starts to roll.

What Im currently doing gives me a feeling of like the brake pads constantly rubbing against the plate while I am stepping on gas.

 

2) Yes, you are shortening the life of your clutch. Practice so the release of the clutch is at same time as applying gas.

3) Stalling is not going to hurt your car.

I'd suggest practice and error on side of stalling rather then holding (riding) the clutch in to long.

 

hehe...and this is the guy that welcomes all new forum members.....j/k bro

 

u have to ride the clutch when in reverse or very slow speeds in order to obtain smooth movement otherwise youll get too much power or jerk.

 

Thx, finally someone who's willing to answer my question.
It wont hurt the clutch too much if it's at lower speed right?

 

thats not riding the clutch...riding the clutch refers to the practice of keeping the clutch partially disengaged when not required. ..

 

The combination of the name "thejoker" and the simplicity of the questions led me to believe that it was a pseudonym for one or our famous pranksters who like to jerk nice people's chains.

Joker, if you are sincere, I sincerely apologize. I assumed you were talking about a Z and I found it hard to imagine someone buying a car like that without first knowing the most rudimentary questions about shifting or having seen how people clutch manuals.

Here is an explanation of the principles. These, along with the good advice and explanations on clutch wear that have been given, should send you on the right learning path. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

The clutch is made to slip so you can avoid the jerks and it will eventually wear out, even with great technique. I'm sure you can burn a clutch out in a few thousand miles, but also I have a '93 pathfinder with 320,000 miles on the original clutch (what's left of it). Except for starting from a standstill or speed shifting, you can avoid almost all wear by rev-matching when you shift up or down.

A good way for first timers is to start on slight down grades in the lower gears until you feel confident, then level ground and work your way up to starting on hills. A trick for starting on very steep inclines (which can make most anybody nervous) is to pull on your emergency break while stopped and when ready to go, start out as normal and take the hand break slowly off as you feel the car want to pull forward. This will prevent you from rolling back into the car of girls behind you.

 

riding the clutch

Example: Using the clutch to hold the car on a hill.

 

Well you gotta ride the clutch once you stop on a hill and want to roll again right? But you just don't do it as much as when you try to hold the car on a hill with a car. When I reverse while not letting go of clutch, that's riding the clutch too right?

 

no riding the clutch is unnecessary partial disengagement...you are too fixated on "riding the clutch".

just learn how to use a stick and you will stop worrying.