Just in case you aren't memeing... You can let it out to whatever point you want and keep it anywhere in the middle you need for as long as it takes to start smoothly. There's no rule for where you can let it out to or hold it, though generally if you can be smooth while using less of that "middle" it's better for your clutch.
However, you should ALWAYS push it TO THE FLOOR when you're changing gears. If your engine is revving 4000 and you put the clutch halfway in, it's getting burned up while you move out of your current gear and into the next one.
Robert Gomez
I usually keep it there for 2-3 seconds, I'm pretty new it, though, so other people are probably quicker.
Jackson James
Just what ever works mate, there is no rule. Obviously you wouldn't ride the clutch for 10 seconds, and you wouldn't flick your foot to the side and let the spring disengage it.
The more you drive, the more you'll find what works for you.
Jace Evans
Just take as long as you need. When I teach someone how to drive stick for the first time, I make a huge point to start without using the gas and even count off out loud how many seconds I hold the clutch in the middle bite point. Usually I make it between 3-5 seconds just to show them not to be afraid to use the clutch.
Damage to your clutch is mostly due to holding it in the middle at high RPM for too long. It takes a LOT of time at idle to cause significant wear.
Zachary Rivera
t. Americlap
Colton Bailey
I've been driving manual for 5 years now, and I still stall. Especially when I go from driving my Commodore to my friends focus. Don't stress about it, just keep driving.
About downshifting, depends on your speed. If you're doing 40km/h in 3rd or 2nd and are about to stop, just go to neutral and let the clutch out. But if your in 4th going 60km/h or so and you have a lot of room, just downshift to 3rd. That all depends on your speed and distance to stop as well. What ever feels comfortable.
Always remember though, if you are emergency braking, just smash both clutch and brake. Don't worry about gears.
Colton Nelson
While stationary, I do the 3-5 seconds holding one.
While on an incline, I advise the newbie to get the clutch to the bite point and then add gas in the same amount they would in an automatic car, then keep both steady until they're moving well.
For slowing down, just leave your car in whatever gear you're in until you're nearly at a stop. Unless you know how to downshift smoothly/without fucking up the clutch or jerking (rev match downshifting, don't worry about it till you're better at the basics) don't worry about changing down gears.
Just remember to get out of gear before you actually come to a complete stop, otherwise you'll just stall it and feel like an idiot.
Isaac Peterson
>>tfw already stalled out and screeched tires on a hill with lots of people around We all do that at some point, don't sweat it. At least you didn't drop your automotive spaghetti in the middle of the road by trying to switch to third, forgetting where third was, and then realizing you've still got the clutch in and are dropping speed and not sure what gear to put it back in so you make a panic turn onto a side road (clutch still in). Bad move on my part.
>For slowing down to a stop should I be downshifting or shifting into neutrel and using brake or what? I've been using the brake and going into neutral when coming up to a stop sign or red light. Downshifting is a better idea because you'll still be able to accelerate out of the way of a sudden problem, but I'm not very good at revmatching yet. But if it's a sudden stop, like someone backing out of a driveway on a residential street, neutral and brake is usually good enough.
t. has had his car for two weeks but has only driven it a few collected hours because of circumstances
Zachary Jones
>For slowing down, just leave your car in whatever gear you're in until you're nearly at a stop Even in a higher gear can you come close to near stop before getting out of gear? I was paranoid if I slowed down in 3rd it'd stall while going and jerk to a stop or something.
