Driving a car with a manual transmission requires knowledge and skill. It also requires proper finesse and good judgment. Driving with a manual transmission requires respect for the clutch and you must be conscious of your habits. Bad habits can be damaging to the clutch, which will require replacements over time. If you want to learn more about what bad habits you should avoid when driving a manual car, continue to read this article.
Riding the Clutch
According to mechanicbase, Riding the clutch is bad habit that you must avoid when driving a manual car. Riding the clutch is when you press down lightly on the pedal before engaging the clutch fully. This leads to the clutch being partially engaged between the transmission and the flywheel. Subsequently, this will cause a lot of heat and wear&tear that can damage the clutch. According to Nasford (2020), riding the clutch creates wear and tear on the clutch transmission and for every activity, this wear and tear will increase. To avoid this, get into the practice of pressing the clutch pedal firmly before you shift into the next gear.
Using the Clutch as a Brake
Using the clutch as a brake is another bad habit that you should avoid when driving a manual car. When you come to a stop or slow down, the vehicle’s brakes are used to reduce the speed not the clutch. Using the clutch to reduce the speed is basically similar to riding the clutch and it can damage the transmission and the flywheel. According to Knight (2020), if you use the clutch to reduce the speed regularly, the pressure plate, disc and other parts of the clutch can be worn out quickly. To prevent damage, use the brake to slow down the vehicle before coming to a complete stop.
Shifting Without Clutch
Shifting without using the clutch is not something that you should ever attempt. Shifting without using the clutch is something that can happen accidentally and it can cause a lot of damage to the clutch. According to Ferrell (2020), shifting the car without the clutch puts a lot of stress on the transmission, which can cause the transmission to jam or lock up. Without the clutch, the transmission will not be able to shift and the flywheel will not be able to stop spinning. To avoid problems, use the clutch when shifting the car.
Inefficient Launch
When you launch the car, always make sure that you do it efficiently. An inefficient launch requires a lot of pressure on the clutch, which can cause it to wear quickly. According manufacturers, you should always engage the clutch first before launching the car. According to Ananda (2020), an efficient launch is when you press down on the clutch, engage the transmission and then slowly lift your foot off the clutch and then press down on the gas. An efficient launch will increase fuel economy and reduce wear on the clutch and transmission.
Clutch Slippage
Clutch slippage is a problem that can happen if you put too much pressure on the clutch. Clutch slippage occurs when the clutch is slipping and not engaging the transmission correctly. According to Phillips (2020), clutch slippage is usually caused by a loose flywheel or an excessive buildup of heat caused by using the clutch improperly. To prevent clutch slippage, make sure that the clutch is properly adjusted and installed. Also, make sure to use the clutch correctly and avoid overloading it with excessive pressure.
High Revs
Revving your engine too much can also be damaging to the clutch. High revs are when you press down on the gas and launch the car with the clutch still engaged. This puts a lot of pressure on the clutch and can cause it to wear quickly. According to Roanrd (2020), a quick launch with excessive revs can also cause the transmission to walk and will pull apart the flywheel. To avoid this problem, make sure you fully engage the clutch before launching the car.
Clutch Fade
Clutch fade occurs when you put too much pressure on the clutch when handing more load than it can handle. According to Toole (2020), clutch fade can be caused by using the clutch too much or by adding more pressure than the clutch can handle. Furthermore, clutch fade can also be caused by using the clutch heavily while driving too fast or accelerating too quickly. To avoid this, make sure not to overload the clutch and to drive responsibly.
It is important to be aware of your habits when driving a manual car. Having bad habits when driving can result in unwanted damage to the clutch and transmission. To prevent damage, make sure to avoid riding the clutch, using the clutch as a brake, shifting without the clutch, an inefficient launch, clutch slippage, high revs and clutch fade. All of these habits can be damaging to the clutch and transmission and they can result in expensive repairs.
Content created and supplied by: Wildest_Imagination (via Opera News )
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