Frequently Asked Questions - Clutch

Feathering the clutch is the proper way to activate the clutch pedal when changing gears. That is, rather than a sudden, jerky release of the clutch pedal, you ease-out when releasing it. This reduces stress not only on clutch components, but the entire drivetrain. The engine RPMs should match closely to that of the selected gear you're shifting into as well (see "double clutching").

There is a fine line between sudden release, feathering and letting the clutch slip. Practice this and prolong the life of your clutch! If you smell something burning, or the engine wails as you release, the clutch is slipping.

To double clutch means simply that you're raising engine RPMs to match your selected gear when downshifting. That is, when you downshift from 4th to 3rd, the engine RPMs won't be much different and your downshift will be relatively smooth with no "lurch." If you downshift from 4th to 2nd however, without double-clutching or bringing the engine RPMs up to match 2nd gear, the rear wheels will lurch and you'll place increased stress on the synchronizers in the transmission.

To double clutch, first depress the clutch and move the shift lever to neutral. Release the clutch and rev the engine to desired RPMs. Depress the clutch once again and shift down to selected gear. Since the engine is already turning at the selected RPMs, the shift will be smoother and you'll save yourself some wear-and-tear.

Odors can come from a variety of sources, but one such source is the clutch. If you smell a burning metal odor, it could be your clutch slipping/burning. Do not allow the clutch pedal to sit in the middle of its range of travel for any length of time. Either engage or disengage the clutch quickly and smoothly, with a little "feathering" as the transition. Allowing the clutch to slip will lead to burning/glazing and premature wear - an extensive and costly repair.