Clutch question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,088
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From: St. Petersburg Florida
Clutch question
For all of my fellow manual trans friends... a few stupid questions. Is it bad to hold on to the clutch when at a full stop? Is the only way to burn the clutch by letting it slowly? How do get into first or reverse without letting slipping the clutch? I'm on my third manual trans car and I suddenly find myself unsure about my technique. 
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,882
Likes: 4,333
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Keep in mind that these are my thoughts and are not the be all to end all 
1. It doesn't hurt the clutch to sit with the clutch pedal depressed. Often I will shift to neutral and release the clutch but that is a personal preference. I guess if you sit enough with the clutch pedal depressed, you could wear the throwout bearing. Many will say that you don't want to be out of gear so that you can maneuver instantly....
2. The way you really burn the clutch is to partially release the clutch and goose the gas. AKA slipping the clutch. Slowly releasing while feeding in the gas is normal.
3. I just move the shift leaver. If the trans is balky, you can double clutch (shift to neutral, release reengage and shift to the desired gear)
No need to slip the clutch for this.
1. It doesn't hurt the clutch to sit with the clutch pedal depressed. Often I will shift to neutral and release the clutch but that is a personal preference. I guess if you sit enough with the clutch pedal depressed, you could wear the throwout bearing. Many will say that you don't want to be out of gear so that you can maneuver instantly....
2. The way you really burn the clutch is to partially release the clutch and goose the gas. AKA slipping the clutch. Slowly releasing while feeding in the gas is normal.
3. I just move the shift leaver. If the trans is balky, you can double clutch (shift to neutral, release reengage and shift to the desired gear)
No need to slip the clutch for this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
The Corvette is a ultra high performance car and the clutch is intended to support that. Holding it in at a stop won't hurt it at all, and small slipping starting out will cause normal, intended wear on it. Popping or sidestepping the clutch at 2000-2500 for max acceleration now and then is also fine, as the car is intended to be driven hard now and again from a stop. If you do it every time you take off, or on the other hand, granny start letting the clutch out for 5 seconds, you will get accelerated wear. Common sense prevails. I found after opening the shroud (Free Cold Air thread), my take off from a stop, cold, in 1st is much smoother. I have no answer as to why, but it is a fact. Maybe the computer learned for the much cooler, denser air that I now get underway and an adjustment at idle took place. For whatever reason, it is far better than it was and definitely eases normal clutch wear. 
