Your interpretation of "riding the clutch"

[iScott]

Yesterday my (stupid) uncle accused me of "riding the clutch". This is the first vehicle I've owned that has a manual trans-mish but I drove my girlfriend's Miata a good bit so I'm pretty good with the stick. But he said I was being too gentle and that I should make quicker shifts and that I was going to run the clutch down much quicker.

A penny for your thoughts.

[Billsbug]

I think the only issue is holding a hill. 'Too gentle'? 'Quicker shifts'? He's trippin'...:rolleyes:

[noR]

There's lots of interpretations.

My personal rules are;
_ let the clutch out as fast as possible w/o stalling. (the less time it's partially engaged the better)
_ don't hold the clutch while at a stop, just put it in neutral.

... that's bout it.

Try to use the clutch as a toggle switch.

[SeeMKay]

Personally I have owned 8 cars ( two were old VWs - not including the one I have now) and ALL but 1 were Manual transmissions.

I have never had a problem with the clutch on any of them.
People told me when I first started driving not to ride the clutch (especially during braking) because that would wear down the clutch fast. So...I am aware of it....and I guess soft clutching could be a problem..But considering the better engineering now I am sure the kinks have been worked out about clutches...(I don't think they make them the same as years ago!!) Personally I haven't tried this with mine..but at high speeds you could actually shift without the clutch. Something about syncromesh transmission!????
I could do this with my Rav 4 and my Grand am........:cool:
Hope this helps.

[Billsbug]

The throw-out bearing is only negatively affected if u r holding a hill, not if u r standing at a stop light. I've owned a bunch of dubs and I always hold the clutch in a stop lights...:D

[from Margaritaville...]

Yesterday my (stupid) uncle accused me of "riding the clutch". This is the first vehicle I've owned that has a manual trans-mish but I drove my girlfriend's Miata a good bit so I'm pretty good with the stick. But he said I was being too gentle and that I should make quicker shifts and that I was going to run the clutch down much quicker.

A penny for your thoughts.

Yeah, and then he'll be complaining that you're jerkin' the car too much. We are ALL critical of the driving habits of others. I'm sure that even after 38 years of driving, my style doesn't please everyone. I just let people be...

[iScott]

Cool. Thanks once again, friends.

[jdesigns]

When I am slowing down, I put the clutch in and leave it there, rather than downshifting. It's cheaper to replace some brake parts then it is to change a clutch.

I do the same thing as noR, let the clutch out as quick as possible.


Don't rest your foot on the clutch either.

[iScott]

I am sometimes guilty of resting my foot on the clutch as I'm going up through the gears.

[Oyveychris]

Riding the clutch is subjective at best, and maybe a holdover from the "good 'ol days" when cars and parts didn't hold up as long. As long as you are not using the clutch pedal as a footrest (that's why there's a dead pedal) you should be good to go...

[noR]

should...

But NB clutches ARE notoriously weak. So I would deffinately say to take the safer method always.

[Sambeaux]

Yesterday my (stupid) uncle accused me of "riding the clutch"

bah!

Kick him outta the car and let him ride his loafers home!

That's my thought. Where's my penny??

:cool:

[dvious]

I have never owned a vehicle that WASN'T a standard (yes even my trucks). Riding the clutch to me would be holding the clutch only half engaged. To me it should either be in, or out. That doesn't mean I don't ride the clutch EVER like on a hill or something like that.

[Lnzbug]

Sounds like your doing ok to me. I would give him a couple of really fast starts(headrest bangers). That should shut him up.;)
Yes I know popping the clutch is also bad, but it's a good bad :crazy:

[qtbug03]

I know this is an old thread, but.....
I have had many manual trans...never had a clutch prob....
I always pride myself with the fact that when people are in my car they should not be able to tell that I am driving them around in a manual trans......!:)

[SMG]

_ don't hold the clutch while at a stop, just put it in neutral.Try to use the clutch as a toggle switch.

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying here. I had a bad habit where I would put the car in neutral at stoplights and let the clutch out because I had been told by a friend that it was a good idea. According to the shop this is what killed my pressureplate within 2 years of being replaced the last time, but I upgraded to a VR6 clutch and got rid of that habit.

When you come to a stop, put the transmission in neutral, and press the clutch to the floor.

[Deserion]

I hear people say "Oh, if you hold the clutch in it'll wear the throwout bearings prematurely". :eek13: Yeah, sure.

But on a different note, holy thread resurrection, Batman!