The clutch pedal mistake that even experienced stick riders can make – Jalopnik

Although automatic transmissions have become increasingly popular, it is still very possible to get a car with a manual transmission. Drivers who have never driven with a stick shift have a lot to learn. The balanced motor skill required to accelerate with the right foot while simultaneously smoothly applying just the right amount of clutch with the left foot is just the beginning. Add to that the shifting through the gearbox while accelerating and decelerating, and feeling when to release the clutch when coming to a stop, and it quickly becomes clear that there are more pedals than feet to operate them.

Multitasking is just one of the things driving a stick teaches you that an automatic never will. While the synchronized movements of your feet and the shifting hand become second nature with time and experience when driving a manual transmission car, even experienced stick drivers can make the mistake of resting their foot on the clutch pedal while waiting for the next shift. Instead of keeping your foot on the clutch pedal, keep your clutch pedal foot on the floor or the footrest if the car has one.

If you’re lucky enough to learn to drive a manual transmission at Mini’s Stick-Shift School, you’ll learn it the right way and hopefully avoid bad habits from the start. Resting your foot on the clutch pedal, or clutch driving as it is often called, is one of the bad habits drivers should avoid when shifting gears to extend the life of the car’s clutch components.

The pressure placed on the clutch pedal by resting a foot on it can damage the drivetrain in several ways. A car’s clutch relies on spring pressure to clamp the clutch disc between the flywheel and the pressure plate. When the clutch is depressed, even slightly, the pressure decreases and the clutch disc can slide between the clamping parts. This leads to premature wear of the clutch disc and overheating of surrounding components, including springs that can weaken from the excess heat.

Another common part that is damaged by clutch riding is the throwout bearing. This bearing transfers the pressure from the stationary clutch to the rotating pressure plate. When the clutch is disengaged, the release bearing moves on the pressure plate springs, with the inner and outer parts of the bearing rotating freely. The slightest pressure on the clutch pedal stops one half of the bearing, while the other half continues to rotate. Prolonged pressure can generate heat, corrode the grease inside and damage the bearing.

Regardless of which clutch component fails, repairs often involve removing the engine, transmission, or both. A faulty clutch can also leave you stranded on the side of the road while a disabled vehicle waits for a wreck.