Emergency handling when the clutch pedal is stuck
In the process of driving, unexpected incidents are inevitable. With manual transmission vehicles, if driven for a long time, the clutch pedal may get stuck.
Signs of a stuck clutch pedal include heavy pedaling and not being able to release the pedal, which is dangerous for traffic. Below are some of the causes and quickest ways to deal with a stuck clutch pedal that drivers should know.
Causes of clutch stuck
A stuck clutch pedal is not an uncommon occurrence. The signs are that when the car starts to warm up or is driven for a long time, the clutch pedal is difficult to press or cannot be pressed or the clutch is slow to release.
In this situation, the driver must let the engine cool for about 30 minutes or until it cools completely for the clutch pedal to return to normal and operate as before.
There are many causes of clutch pedal jamming in cars. Some of the most common causes include:
Due to carpet
Due to wear of clutch plate, flywheel, pressure plate
Due to warped connecting part in pedal actuator.
Due to the push rod part of the master cylinder or slave cylinder being warped.
Emergency treatment
To fix a stuck clutch pedal, first check to see if the floor mat is stuck. If not, here are some methods you can try:
Restart the car
Restarting a car when the clutch pedal is stuck is to return the clutch pedal to its original position. There are 3 ways to start the car as follows:
Method 1: Use for old cars without touching the clutch pedal when starting in case the gear is already set. The method is very simple, the driver just needs to turn the key and restart the engine. When starting the engine, the car may jerk because the gear is already set. Therefore, when the car starts moving, you should step on the gas pedal gently and slowly to avoid jerking.
Method 2: Most new car models today are equipped with an electric switch at the clutch pedal and the switch only closes when the driver presses the clutch pedal. If the car is stuck in the clutch pedal and wants to restart, the driver needs to keep the clutch pedal pressed to close the switch and restart the car.
Method 3: If the clutch pedal is stuck when the car is not in gear, the driver can restart and force the car to 1st gear to accelerate. According to the normal principle, the pressure creates friction, at this time the gear will be synchronized with the rotating wheel and the car can slowly move.
When the vehicle starts moving and reaches the required speed of 1st gear, the gear will slip and the vehicle will run normally again. However, when starting by this method, the synchronization is easily damaged because the engine is subjected to a significant pressure. Therefore, the driver should only use it in an emergency.
How to gear up
If the clutch pedal is stuck while the car is moving in 1st gear and does not want to restart, the driver can press the accelerator and release it immediately. Next, shift the gear lever to 0 and push it up to 2nd gear gently. When the car speed reaches the required 2nd gear, the gear lever will automatically slide the groove to 2nd gear to unstick the clutch pedal. If the driver wants to go up to higher gears, the driver can do the same.
How to reduce the number
The way to reduce the gear when the car is moving and the clutch pedal is stuck will be done in reverse of the way to increase the gear as above. The method of implementation is that the driver keeps the car running at a stable speed and pulls the lever to 0. Then gradually accelerate and at the same time push the lever to a lower gear. When the running speed reaches the required gear, the gear lever will automatically slide back into the groove.
How to stop a car when the clutch pedal is stuck
If the clutch pedal is stuck and the driver does not know how to handle it quickly, the driver can stop the car completely. At that time, the driver needs to gradually reduce the throttle until the car stops and put the gear lever to 0. When stopping, press the brake and pay attention to hold the brake because the car is no longer being held back by the engine. Shifting to 0 will help the driver control the speed by braking more easily and not put pressure on the brake.
Things to know when the clutch pedal is stuck
The above solutions when the clutch pedal is stuck are only temporary and will more or less affect the vehicle's operating system. At the same time, they also make it difficult to reduce the speed of the vehicle, potentially posing a high risk. Therefore, the best way to detect a stuck clutch pedal is for the driver to stop the vehicle and call for help.
