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What does the clutch actually do?

The clutch pedal engages and disengages the engine and the gearbox. When depressed, your powertrain is disengaged, causing the same effect as shifting to neutral. To move off, you release the clutch pedal to set the vehicle in motion whereas when you approach a stop, you depress the clutch pedal to separate the engine from the wheels to prevent it from stalling. If you depress the clutch pedal while driving at high speeds your vehicle will coast for a relatively long distance on a flat road, gain momentum going downhill, and slow down considerably going uphill. On the other hand when parking, if you're on a flat road, the vehicle stops almost immediately when you depress the clutch pedal.
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About the author

Carlos Tomas

Carlos Tomas is President and Founder of Shifters, Canada's first manual transmission driving school. He has taught standard-shift with Young Drivers of Canada, worked with disabled drivers, and even instructed instructors. 

Known for his extreme patience, Carlos helps you how understand the clutch, gets you up-to-speed (all puns intended) quickly, and inspires, with  and an unmatched comfort level that puts you at ease from the start.

Related posts

Can I brake without de-clutching?

Each gear has a range of speed that you can drive in. Keep in mind that gear ranges overlap each other. As long as you drive within this allowable speed range any modulations in speed are usually moderate enough not require a gear change, and therefore no need to depress the clutch. If your speed drops below

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Why do I need to downshift when turning?

Since most turns are done at low speeds, your vehicle should be driven in the gear that corresponds with that speed—usually 2nd when not required to stop and 1st when you are. Taking a normal turn in too high a gear, say 3rd or 4th gear over-burdens the engine at too low RPM and over time

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What engine RPM should I be shifting up at?

It depends on your vehicle and your power requirements at that moment. Each shift is a compromise between power and economy. Rev the engine to a higher rpm when more power is needed, such as when climbing steeper hills or when passing. Shift at lower rpm for better economy. In the past most experts would

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How can I keep my car from rolling backwards when starting on a hill?

Even vehicles equipped with hill assist feature may roll slightly if stopped on a gradual incline when you release the brake pedal. On steeper grades the hill assist feature does not necessarily give a beginner the time they need to set up the clutch and gas pedals to prevent rolling. However, you can hold your vehicle momentarily on

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Can I brake without de-clutching?

Each gear has a range of speed that you can drive in. Keep in mind that gear ranges overlap each other. As long as you drive within this allowable speed range any modulations in speed are usually moderate enough not require a gear change, and therefore no need to depress the clutch. If your speed drops below

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Why do I need to downshift when turning?

Since most turns are done at low speeds, your vehicle should be driven in the gear that corresponds with that speed—usually 2nd when not required to stop and 1st when you are. Taking a normal turn in too high a gear, say 3rd or 4th gear over-burdens the engine at too low RPM and over time

Read More

What engine RPM should I be shifting up at?

It depends on your vehicle and your power requirements at that moment. Each shift is a compromise between power and economy. Rev the engine to a higher rpm when more power is needed, such as when climbing steeper hills or when passing. Shift at lower rpm for better economy. In the past most experts would

Read More