Sounds like a stupid question; I know. However, with my shoe size being 8-1/2, I have to release the clutch by letting my entire foot ride up with the pedal as my feet are not big enough to keep my heel on the floor while letting the pedal up. Does anyone else with smaller shoe sizes have the same issue? Do you have a better, more consistent way to release the clutch? Any input will be appreciated. Thanks, and Happy New Year!

 

That's how I've always released the clutch.

 

With my left foot. You're welcome.

 

Get one of these:

 

I don't even think about it. That's like asking centipede how he manages to walk.

 

 

 

I released mine with "Fly! You're free!"

 

Amusing question. No offense intended... I'm smilin' because it shows either your age or mine. Manuals were so common when I was younger that everyone who could drive, could drive either a manual or an auto. (There was a time when autos were so "new", folks didn't know how to use'm when a pedal was missing. )

But I digress... I think most everyone back then was taught to lift the entire foot away from the floor. I think that's because most folks had feet that weren't size 12s, and *couldn't* keep the heel down, so nobody ever asked; by convention we all did the same so what's to ask? It never occurred to us. Now, there are so few folks who can drive stick I think there's a driver out here ain't my age who needs to ask, and I find it amusin'... and I think so did most of the authors before me.

But to be serious--there ARE folks out there who've had to quit their manual Vettes because their left knees or hips have gone bad and all the flexing while driving makes it unacceptable to them--and that might be your answer... ain't gotta flex the knee and hip nearly as much if you can keep the heel down.

 

I wear a size 11 and lift my foot off the floor, Not sure anybody keeps their heel on the floor when using the clutch since it grabs fairly high in the pedal travel. I think leaving the heel on the floor would be tough trying to bend the toe back far to get the clutch engaged.

Bill

 

 

I agree. I'm 6' 3" and I find that I can easily slide my left foot over to the dead pedal in between shifts.

However, I did notice that shoes make a huge difference as I usually drive with a set a low profile driving shoes from Puma and Adidas. I picked up my M7 Z07 from the shop that installed my window tint and Xpel wearing my business wing tips and I stalled the car twice from dead stop to first gear just because I lost all pedal feel. I got it the third time, but it was embarrassing.

 

 

I just floor the pedal on the right, and dump the pedal on the left. So long as I don't need the pedal in the middle I consider it a success!

 

Always someone in the crowd! Anyway, thanks for the amusing responses. I'm 61 years old, BTW. I've owned several manual trans cars over the years. None were as finicky as my C7. Even my old 1968 Formula S Barracuda with it's rock hard clutch action was easier to manipulate than this clutch. Regardless, just thought I'd ask to see if anyone had come up with a consistent way to operate this clutch pedal.

 

With rev-match enabled - hopefully you have this enabled - you'll be spending so short a time on the clutch (in-and-out) that you can't go wrong doing whatever is the most comfortable for you. I drive an A8 now, but wish I had rev-match in my previous stick-shift car of 20yrs.

 

Ya I cant imagine how you could keep your heel on the floor when engaging the clutch.

I strictly drive clutch cars with bare feet. The ball of your foot can feel the engagement point exactly.

 

Nice and easy without much if any throttle. Ideal.

 

 

I wear size 11 1/2 and lift my foot. I can't imagine being able to keep my heal on the floor.