Question from a newbie
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
Question from a newbie
As I've recently posted, I finally own a Ford truck, and couldn't be happier. 1996 F150, Eddie Bauer, 4x4, 300 straight 6, 5 speed manual,3.55 axle. Here's a pic:
I have never owned a stick, and only actually drove one for a short time about 30 years ago. I need to know the right way to drive one so as not to abuse the clutch. One practice I employ is when I'm driving say, 45 mph and approaching a stop light. Many times it's possible that the light will change and I won't have to take it out of 4th gear. What I do is push the clutch pedal all the way down just to disengage the trans and I coast - waiting to see if the light changes or if I need to actually slow down. If the light changes, I just lift off the clutch and continue on. Will that damage the clutch in any way?
I have never owned a stick, and only actually drove one for a short time about 30 years ago. I need to know the right way to drive one so as not to abuse the clutch. One practice I employ is when I'm driving say, 45 mph and approaching a stop light. Many times it's possible that the light will change and I won't have to take it out of 4th gear. What I do is push the clutch pedal all the way down just to disengage the trans and I coast - waiting to see if the light changes or if I need to actually slow down. If the light changes, I just lift off the clutch and continue on. Will that damage the clutch in any way?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
OK, how about this situation: I come to a stoplight on a uphill incline. A car is right behind me. What I do here is put it in first, foot partially depressing clutch, and balancing the gas pedal and clutch pedal just enough to keep the truck from rolling back. To me, this seems to be putting a lot of pressure on the clutch, but until I get better at the manual, seems to be the best way for me. Is there a better way (from the clutch's perspective) to handle this?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,538
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From: Des Moines
That practice can definitely harm the clutch if you do it too often. What will eventually happen is that you will "burn" the clutch. This becomes a problem because the pressure plate can't grip the clutch, and so then it's useless until you replace it. It's not that it won't work, it's just that it won't work very well. I'd advise you to get the hang of full clutch use ASAP. 
Welcome.
Welcome.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
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From: Concord, NC
If you are nervous about rolling backwards on a hill, set the parking brake. That will let you concentrate on engaging the clutch and modulating the throttle, then once you feel the clutch grab and pull against the parking brake, release the parking brake and you begin moving forward without rolling back. You should not use the clutch to hold a vehicle on a hill at a stop light - use the brakes instead.
The least amount of time you can spend on the clutch pedal, the easier you will be on clutch components and the longer the clutch will live. The only time I push the pedal is when I'm shifting. I coast down in gear with my foot off the pedal until the engine reaches idle speed then either downshift if I'll be speeding back up, or shift to neutral and let it idle in neutral at stop lights with my foot off the clutch pedal.
The least amount of time you can spend on the clutch pedal, the easier you will be on clutch components and the longer the clutch will live. The only time I push the pedal is when I'm shifting. I coast down in gear with my foot off the pedal until the engine reaches idle speed then either downshift if I'll be speeding back up, or shift to neutral and let it idle in neutral at stop lights with my foot off the clutch pedal.
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