Miata Mailing List: June 1997, Message #18
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From: 	Lanny Chambers <lanny@derived.com>

Subject: Re: "riding the clutch"

Date: 	Sun, 1 Jun 1997 12:06:47 -0500



On 6/1/97 11:21, richard sorrentino (sorrentino@SSCL.UWO.CA) wrote:



>I would like to ask the list's wisdom on exactly what "riding

>the clutch" is and what gear we should have the car in when

>idle. I am told that driving schools now tell their students

>that "riding the clutch" occurs when you have the clutch pedal

>down while idling, and therefore you should keep the car in neutral

>to avoid this. Is this correct? I always thought riding the clutch

>was when the clutch pedal was needlessly down while the car is

>in motion.



It means resting your foot on the clutch pedal while in motion, to the 

point that all the slack is taken up, thus causing unintended slippage. 

This results in premature clutch wear and glazing of the flywheel.



---

Lanny Chambers, St. Louis

'94C. Red, of course.

Team "My other car is a...er...hmmm...gee, I can't remember..."