 |
Clutch control
Clutch control is controlling the speed of the car when driving slowly (below 5mph) with the clutch and gas pedal.
Clutch control is one of the hardest parts to master for most people when they're learning to drive a manual/stick shift car. You'll feel at one with the car once you've mastered it though and in complete control of the car at slow speeds.
Watch our video below on clutch control as we demonstrate when it would be used on hills, creeping up to and out of junctions and in slow moving traffic. You'll also be using a lot of clutch control during the reverse manoeuvres such as parallel parking.
|
|
Video on clutch control
|
Practice the following somewhere quiet where you'll be left alone.
The biting point
It's important to get used to where the biting point is in your car.
To find the biting point:
1. Press the clutch down
2. Select 1st gear
3. Press the gas (accelerator) to get the revs up to around 1 and a half on the rev counter (more if moving off uphill or no gas for moving off downhill). Remember this: Using the gas will not necessarily make you go faster but it will help the car not stall. You'll only move off fast if you release the clutch quickly.
4. Raise the clutch slowly until you feel the biting point. You will know when you've got the biting point as the back of the car will dip down slightly and the engine sound will change. When you feel it, keep the clutch still. |
How to do clutch control
Once it's safe all around, signal if needed and release the handbrake, but keep your feet still.
The car will now move. Raising the clutch slightly (about the thickness of a pound coin) will make the car move slightly quicker. Lowering the clutch down (again, about the thickness of a pound coin) will slow you down and that's clutch control.
Raising the clutch completely with a little gas will allow you to drive on and accelerate if required.
When you feel confident, practice clutch control on a hill and in traffic or creeping at a junction.
This is just a rough guide to clutch control. It's not a replacement to good quality driving lessons with a driving instructor. |
What the clutch technically does video
 |
 |
 |
| Finding a good driving school is difficult, find out here why you've just discovered one of the best ones... (click) |
Refresher driving lessons are getting more and more popular, find out more about it here... (click) |
Intensive lessons for people wanting to learn to drive quick. Click here to find out if you're up for it... (click) |
|
|
|
