Will this mess up the clutch???

[DLMyth]

When you are at a complete stop then put the car into first gear. Is it bad to just make the car start without hitting the gas pedal. I have a bad habit of just using only my clutch to move the car in 1st gear. I do this a lot when I'm in a traffic jam. Will this mess up my clutch??:confused:

[Kit99bar]

not sure

it sounds like would put less stress on the clutch cuz it is at such a low rpm

[2kgtx]

People have their own opinions on this. I do the same thing mainly because I drive in 2 hours of bumper to bumper Atlanta traffic everyday. I have 22,000 miles on my Celica and my clutch feels the same as it did when I bought it. I have asked this question to people who know what they are talking about and they say its not that bad but it does do a little damage the main thing is don't just hold your car with the clutch you can get your self going but don't hold the clutch at that point to long.

[chameleon]

I'm with Kit99bar, it should put a lot less wear on your clutch. Giving the car some gas while releasing the clutch will send more power through it while it is slipping, which would actually wear it out more.

[ishido]

That's exactly how you're supposed to start. When you push the clutch pedal in, there is a spot between engage and disengage called "friction zone." This is the part where your clutch will slowly get worn down. By getting your car in motion by releasing the clutch and giving it a little gas you're fine. Giving gas should be enough to keep it smooth and keep it from stalling or dropping under idle. A lot of newbie stick shifters will err by giving too much gas out of fear of stalling. That will wear out your clutch prematurely. You can tell by hearing the engine rev and then slow down as the clutch is fully engaged. Of course, dropping the clutch very suddenly will hurt your tranny (see the "talked to toyota mechanic" post)

Now, letting your car rest on the clutch while uphill at a stop light, in first gear... that's bad. Don't let up on the clutch until you're ready to go, not when you're waiting.

[torisup27]

from my stick-shift driving experience i thought you must step on the clutch all the way when the car moves less than 5mph otherelse it stalls ?

[MaasNeotek]

Yes - that's true - and false. By 'feathering' the clutch you can control the amount of slippage and therefore - control forward motion and limit stalling...

You too young grasshopper should learn to drive a stick. :)

[xav3x]

if i was to teach a friend how to drive stick.. this would be the first method..

they will learn to feather the clutch.. (slowly let it out so the car will be moving after the clutch is up all the way) that way they get a feel of when it engages...) then throw in the accelerator when they are ready..

[Elik]

hey ishido
when i race i drop my cluthch everytime
so u are saying it is bad?
damn knew it:)

racing = powershifting&quickshifting = sooner death of clutch:(

[TRD StreetRacing]

Originally posted by xav3x

they will learn to feather the clutch.. (slowly let it out so the car will be moving after the clutch is up all the way) that way they get a feel of when it engages...) then throw in the accelerator when they are ready..

that's how i learn to do it...... the first 2-3 weeks i "feather'd" the cluch and then i learn to accelerate when i figured the cluch and it's engaging points;) ....9 months later i'm still learning to master how to drive my car and controll it

[ishido]

Originally posted by Elik
hey ishido
when i race i drop my cluthch everytime
so u are saying it is bad?
damn knew it:)

racing = powershifting&quickshifting = sooner death of clutch:(

Yeah... there will be some sort of abuse of either the tranny or clutch if you plan on racing. If possible, find a median. Slip the clutch a little at launch so you don't spin your tires, then once you hook a little release the clutch and go.