This can cause the clutch release bearing to be in contact with the clutch cover and creating friction when it doesn't need to be and over time, will lead to noise and failure of the clutch, which is an expensive repair.
What will happen if you hold the clutch pedal down for too long? This will lead to freewheeling or 'coasting' of your vehicle. Doing this is dangerous as it means you have less control over your vehicle.
Does holding the clutch down damage it? There is a part called a clutch release bearing, which is what transfers force between the rotating assembly and the non-rotating parts that the pedal actuates. Holding down the clutch a lot puts a little bit of wear on that bearing.
The clutch is subjected to constant friction, so it is unsurprising that it will wear out eventually. You may find that your clutch lasts 10,000 miles before you need to get a new one or you could drive 150,000 before it gives up.
In addition to grinding, you may notice other strange noises when you have clutch problems. The pedal can be squeaky or you may hear screeching and squealing every time you shift. Any unusual noises should be cause for concern.
You can put it in the lower gear and leave it pushed down. Like I said before, it's better to keep it in neutral if you are going to sit for any period of time, pushing it down it will simply it wear out faster. The fingers will start getting more strain on the springs inside and will wear out quickly.
Keeping the clutch pressed down disengages the the gears and the engine from the road wheels, so it's essentially offering far less control. If you continue to do this on a practical driving test, the examiner is likely to fail your test.
However, if the clutch is released slowly the clutch disc will "slip" against the flywheel; this friction permits the engine a smoother transition to its new rotation speed. Such routine slippage causes wear on the clutch analogous to the wear-and-tear on a brake pad when stopping.
Vehicle Damage
Coasting has no real affect on the internal mechanics of your car. However, it does lead to the overuse of one clutch component in particular for manual cars: the throw out bearing. The throw out bearing is the part of the clutch system that disengages the engine while the clutch pedal is pressed.
If you know that the car has to remain stationary for some time, stop and put the car in neutral. Doing so disengages the clutch completely and also lets you relax your leg or a while. Keeping the clutch pinned down for long periods continuously can cause damage the ball bearing in the clutch assembly.
The trick is to let the clutch out to the engagement point quickly and then more slowly from there. The only way you can know where this engagement point is, is by getting a feel for the car.
Yes, If you use it continuously then it increases the wear of the clutch plates. But do not worry the clutch plates are meant to wear the real damage that you do is you waste a lot of fuel. In terms of money the decreased mileage will cost you much more than the clutch plates.
You need only change to a lower gear when you need the accelerator again to 'drive' the car. Selective gear changing means you sometimes miss out gears, for example, by changing from fifth or fourth gear to second gear. This method is called 'selective' or 'block' gear changing.
Before turning the car on, locate the clutch. The clutch must be pressed down when shifting gears! Practice pressing and releasing the clutch pedal with your left foot. You will begin to feel (in your foot) when the clutch is engaged or disengaged.
As long as you are letting go of the clutch by a little bit and at the same time, you give it a little bit of gas. If you just let go of the clutch without giving any gas in first gear, you can go forward/fast then the car will just stall.
The clutch feels soft
The clutch should take a bit of pressure to move, and when you press down, you should be met with some resistance. If the clutch pedal feels 'spongey' or feels like you're pushing it into a block of warm butter, your clutch is likely going to need to be replaced soon.
Clutch Pedal Feels Loose or Spongey. Clutch Pedal is Hard to Engage. Transmission Makes A Grinding, Whirling or Chirping Noise in Neutral. Grinding Occurs When Shifting Gears.
As a general rule, your car clutch will need to be replaced every 100,000 kilometres. However, you may need a clutch service or replacement more often depending on how you use your car.
Though riding the clutch on the odd occasion won't cause any significant damage, doing this long-term could cause excessive wear on your clutch. This will mean you need a replacement sooner than expected. The clutch is considered a wear-and-tear item, so is unlikely to be covered by your car's warranty.
The primary purpose of double-clutching is smooth downshifting to accelerate. It helps take care of the wear and tear of certain transmission parts and provides power to the vehicle. Double-clutching is also beneficial as a backup plan in case of a clutch linkage failure.
If you're driving slowly below 10mph and want to stop then press the clutch before the brake so that the car doesn't stall. You're more likely to stall or have a shaky stop if you're driving slowly below 10mph and press the brake first then clutch.
As a rule of thumb, most clutches will last in the region of 60,000 miles before the need for replacing. However, we have had to replace some at around 30,000 (or less), and we've seen some clutches that have continued to keep going past 100,000 miles.