Things you shouldn't do when driving a manual car.
(Baonghean.vn) - Due to its design requiring significant driver intervention, incorrect operation can affect both the durability and safety of a manual transmission vehicle. Below are 8 things you should avoid doing when driving a manual transmission car.
1. Do not leave the gear engaged when stopped at a red light.
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| Shifting to neutral (N) is most beneficial for the vehicle when stopped at traffic lights or in traffic jams. Although the bearings directly connected to the clutch assembly have a relatively long lifespan, this doesn't guarantee durability if the driver uses the vehicle incorrectly. Shifting to neutral disconnects the clutch from the gearbox, preventing the bearings from contacting the clutch springs, thus increasing the lifespan of the vehicle's drivetrain. |
2. Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal.
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| The clutch pedal's function is to disengage the clutch, separating the transmission from the engine so the vehicle can shift gears. When resting your foot on the clutch pedal, you will inevitably apply some force, especially in vehicles with very light clutch pedals. This will cause the clutch plates to not fully engage with the engine, resulting in clutch slippage. Consequently, the transmission will not transmit 100% of the engine's power, leading to increased fuel consumption and premature wear of the clutch plates. |
3. Do not disengage the clutch first, then apply the brake.
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| The habit of disengaging the clutch before braking is most common among new drivers, but sometimes even experienced drivers, due to the fear of stalling. At low speeds, this doesn't have a significant impact because the vehicle's inertia is low. However, if the vehicle is traveling at high speed and you want to stop but disengage the clutch first, the brakes will become ineffective, and the vehicle will lose traction, similar to disengaging the clutch while cornering. The correct approach in all cases is to brake first, and only when you feel the vehicle is about to stall should you depress the clutch to disengage the brake before downshifting or continuing to drive. |
4. Rest your hand on the gear lever.
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The operating mechanism of a manual transmission involves depressing the clutch, engaging a gear, releasing the clutch, and accelerating; the car will then move slowly. Sometimes, some drivers place one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear lever for convenience when shifting gears, or this is simply a habit when driving on the highway – this action directly affects the gearbox. When engaging a gear, the gear lever is directly connected to the shift lever – which is shaped like a three-way junction. This shift lever connects directly to the synchronizer and engages the synchronizer with the gear teeth, allowing the car to shift into gear. |
5.Improper use of the parking brake.
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| The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle, but only to keep it stationary once it has stopped. Therefore, engaging the parking brake while rolling downhill is a dangerous mistake. Conversely, if you accidentally forget to fully release the parking brake (due to an incomplete release), the brakes will wear out, and more dangerously, the heat generated could cause the brake fluid to boil, resulting in brake failure. |
6. Do not "suspend the clutch" to keep the car steady on a slope.
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| When stopping on a slope, many drivers are accustomed to releasing the clutch to the point where the car remains stationary, and even during driving lessons, some students are taught this method for the "start-up" exercise. However, this is the most damaging method for the gearbox, as components such as the clutch plates, drive gears, and bearings will have to withstand very high friction forces to keep the entire weight of the car stationary on the slope, while the brakes on all four wheels can handle this responsibility more easily. |
7. Do not shift to N when going downhill.
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| Shifting to neutral (N) when going downhill is similar to disengaging the clutch when cornering, but even more dangerous. This is because the steep slope increases the gravitational force acting on the vehicle, causing inertia to increase rapidly. Steep roads are often found in hilly or mountainous terrain, with continuous curves requiring frequent steering maneuvers. Shifting to neutral increases the risk more than ever. In this case, it's necessary to shift to a lower gear to use engine braking, following the principle of "use the same gear going down as going up." |
8. Do not disengage the clutch when cornering.
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| When the clutch is disengaged, the car only moves by inertia without being braked by the engine, giving a smooth, effortless feel when cornering, which many drivers prefer. However, this is a dangerous habit. When only rolling by inertia, the braking system becomes less effective, requiring a longer braking distance, and the driver has difficulty controlling speed if steering too much or too little. In addition, the wheels lose traction, increasing the risk of losing control. |
