been read a few stuff on stick shifting. now for low speed forward/reverse. I let the clutch out till it starts to move and hold it till I back out or into where I need the car to be WITHOUT pressing the gas. Now does this damage the clutch and is this consider riding the clutch?

 

Kinda hard to tell without knowing the exact driving conditions. But, keep in mind that whenever the clutch is not fully in or out it is wearing.

When slowly backing or going forward I try to give it a little gas, engage the clutch some, and then just let the car coast a little. But...........if you have the car at idle and just barely engage the clutch as you say, you must be going "snail speed", like 0.017 MPH.

Bottom line: you're probably not wearing it that much, but I wouldn't creep along that way for a hundred yards or so - you may get a funny, expensive smell.....

WayneTN

 

I agree with Wayne.

Actually, I ride it abit myself (sometimes) in first & reverse.
You are producing a bit of wear but not a lot.

The more classic ride-the-clutch issue is some people drive with foot on the clutch. Without knowing it, they may hold the clutch in and this will result in rapid wear.

 

But dont try to save the clutch all together either ! The smoother the transition between gears, the less stress you put on the tranny and the engine. You are looking for a good balance in clutch use so everything wears normally and you dont have parts going out unusually fast.

 

well thats good to hear. I mainly do that when reversing. Its so damn hard to see out the rear, so don't want to risk running into something that I can't see (like my dogs or neighbor's kid)