Have you ever thought about why cars have pedals other than gas and brake? Or do you know what this third pedal actually does and why we actually need it? When you first started driving, you probably stopped a few times. So why does the car stop? Now, let’s take a closer look at what an important function that clutch, which we despise, actually has.
What is the function of the clutch when shifting gears?
The word clutch comes from the French word d’embrayage, which means clutch. This gives us a great clue as to the actual function of the clutch. The clutch system establishes the connection between the lining, engine and wheels. Due to its rough surface, the lining is a disc-shaped piece with high friction feature. When pressed on a surface, it moves with the surface and fully grasps the surface. This system also forms the clutch system.
When the vehicle is in gear, when you press the clutch all the way down, you break the connection between the engine and the wheels. In other words, you separate the pad from the engine disc and you get the vehicle in neutral. After this stage, when your vehicle changes gear, one gear replaces the other and when you release the clutch, you continue on your way with the other gear.
What is the reason behind the stopping of cars?
Okay, we understand that one gear is shifting to the other when changing gears, but what does this clutch do when starting the car? We talked about the friction feature of the pads. When we release the clutch slowly, the pads begin to rub against the discs on the engine. The torque of the vehicle goes towards the wheels. The more the engine rotates, the more the pads and wheels continue to rotate by adapting to it. The power from the engine is not fully transmitted to the wheels unless you fully release the clutch. In other words, if you pull your foot back quickly within a second after fully depressing the clutch, you won’t give your vehicle time to collect itself.
Giving such a great power to the wheels will either cause the vehicle to jump or the engine to stop. Of course, considering the weight of the vehicle’s launch, it can only be a scene from cartoons. So, you probably have the car stopped. Even if you are just learning to drive, you may find yourself in the passenger seat after making this mistake a few times. It is useful to pay attention to what we say so that you do not get offended by driving and do not anger the person who taught you.
So how should we use the clutch on slopes?
Understanding the working logic, its purpose, is of great benefit in everything we use. Now you know how to act in order not to stop the car. Let’s add some gravity to this situation now. Let’s talk about how you should use the clutch when driving your vehicle uphill. In the previous paragraph, we mentioned that we take our foot off the clutch slowly and let the gears move forward slowly. If your foot is fully depressed on the clutch while climbing a hill, your vehicle will slide backwards.
To prevent this from happening, we slowly take our foot off the clutch while pressing the brake. As the clutch lining starts to rub against the engine, your vehicle will want to go forward, but it will not be able to go because our foot is on the brake. From here on, your vehicle starts to vibrate to indicate that it no longer needs the brake, and you won’t slide backwards when you take your foot off the brake. When the vehicle wants to go forward, gravity pulls it backwards and thus a balance is achieved. Now you can go uphill without skidding by pressing the accelerator while slowly taking your foot off the clutch.
In addition, although we do not recommend it, if you want to drift in traffic-free areas, it is possible to draw zero with half clutch and gas, with sweet brake touches according to your place. Come and try this on an automatic transmission car, it’s hard. . . In crowded cities like Istanbul and Izmir, the clutch that makes us angry while we are steering for hours sometimes does not feel so bad. Of course, we still recommend that you do this in traffic-free areas and with professional trainers who will guide you.
We talked about the working system of the clutch and the moments you need to use it. It should not be forgotten that if the clutch pads are used continuously, they may melt and lose their friction feature. Using the clutch outside of necessary conditions will damage the linings of your vehicle. Other than these situations, keeping your foot on the clutch pedal creates a small amount of pressure. Even if you say you don’t press it, your vehicle will detect that little pressure and the pads will melt in a shorter time, then you may hear a sound like the piston is down. In order for your pads to stay healthy for a long time, it is beneficial to keep your foot in the space next to the clutch.
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