I am just starting out, learning how to drive on a stick shift. I was just wondering when you start the car and it starts to pull and you give it gas. how slowly can I let the clutch out before problems start happening?How long can I hold down the clutch while I am pressing the gas on a stick shift?Problems don't start when you let the clutch out too slowly; all that does is prevent the full power of the engine crankshaft from reaching the wheels. As long as the tachometer is below the engine red line, you should be fine although you'll use more fuel. Problems start when you let the clutch out too quickly; this puts the rotation of the crankshaft and the wheels in sync and stalls the engine if the car isn't moving.
You need to fully depress the clutch when you turn the ignition, then put it in first gear (or reverse) and release the parking brake while keeping your other foot on the brake pedal.
If you're on a fairly level surface, then ease your foot off the brake and slowly release pressure from the clutch. You don't need to give any gas at this point. As you feel the gears begin to catch, the car will slowly begin to move and you will notice the RPM gauge slightly decrease as there is more load on the engine. Practice this in an empty parking lot until you can start and drive consistently without stalling.
It's a bit tricker when you're stopped on an incline (you'll need to give some gas at the same time to prevent the car from rolling), which is why it's helpful to learn on a flat surface so that you can get used to the car and at what pedal pressure the clutch catches the gears.
It also helps to examine a diagram of the gearbox and transmission so you can understand exactly what the car is doing when you depress the clutch.How long can I hold down the clutch while I am pressing the gas on a stick shift?There are two possible ways that what you're talking about could hurt your car. One way is that you'll over-rev the engine. Now, most cars have a rev limiter - that means that if you floor the gas with the clutch pushed in, the engine will rev up to its redline and the computer won't let it rev any higher. But, some cars don't have this, and if you rev the engine too fast, it could be damaged. Your car should have a tachometer, and as long as the needle's not in the red part, you're not hurting the car - just wasting gas. ;) The other way you could hurt your car is that if you rev the engine too fast and let off the clutch too slowly, you'll wear out the clutch lining and eventually have to replace the clutch (not cheap!). You;ll know if this is happening, though, 'cause you'll smell it. It's a very distinctive smell that's hard to describe. Kinda like burning pennies, maybe.
Otherwise, your car is fine.
You'll get the hang of it.How long can I hold down the clutch while I am pressing the gas on a stick shift?at first i couldent drive stick then my driving instructor told me to try in reverse, and that did it. i dont know how but it did. the only thing i could think of would be weariing down the clutch faster, but since your new you will probably do that anyways. just take things easy until you really get the hang of it.
