overcome1236

im actually pretty new to driving manual and im always worried about wearing my clutch... when u guys go in reverse do u let off the clutch b.c i balance out the clutch with the brakes idk how bad that is? and when shifting i dont fully let go of the clutch until i give it some gas but i dont really do it in that fast of a motion idk how bad that is either.

East87

I've learned to live with the fact that I'm probably doing damage to my clutch on a daily basis by slipping at almost every traffic light to get moving (not to stabilize, I use my brakes ), but the stock clutch is actually pretty hardy and can take a lot of abuse. I think Ford understood that these cars would be "driven" pretty hard, so many of the OEM drivetrain components were built with that in mind.

Norm Peterson

You can't avoid having to slip it a little when starting from a dead stop.

If you don't let some slip occur, the engine speed and the tire revolutions would have to become matched instantaneously. Either the engine rpm's would drop to zero, nothing would be turning and you'd have stalled or you'd spin the tires up to some rpm and you'd have left some rubber on the pavement. The trick for long clutch life is learning how to minimize how much slip is actually necessary.


Norm

overcome1236

BUMP

im actually pretty new to driving manual and im always worried about wearing my clutch... when u guys go in reverse do u let off the clutch b.c i balance out the clutch with the brakes idk how bad that is? and when shifting i dont fully let go of the clutch until i give it some gas but i dont really do it in that fast of a motion idk how bad that is either..

and any manual tricks or tips would be very appreciated.

Norm Peterson

I don't think I ever have the clutch and the brake working against each other. I probably do let a little more slip happen in reverse, but driving in reverse usually involves very low speed under very little power for very short distances - under two or three car lengths, and only once per separate trip. For longer distances in reverse I'll have the clutch fully engaged and would probably be using a tiny bit of throttle.


Norm

moosestang

I let the clutch out completely going in reverse out of my drive way. Now if i'm backing into a parking space then I slip it. I don't even give it gas coming out of my drive way.

If you think your clutch is toast, then try driving in 5th at about 35-40mph and floor it. If it revs up, then you know you need a new clutch. If it just accelerates slowly, then you don't.