Miata Mailing List: June 1997, Message #21
sponsored by



     



From: 	russotto@pond.com (Matthew T. Russotto)

Subject: Re:  "riding the clutch"

Date: 	Sun, 1 Jun 1997 14:05:42 -0500



} 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.



"Riding the clutch" is driving around with your foot on the pedal,

holding it partway engaged.  Good for your mechanic, bad for you.

IMO, When idling, the car should either be in neutral, in whatever gear you

were just in, or whatever gear you're about to enter.



} 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.



I assume this is state-required driving schools, not performance

driving schools?  Holding the pedal all the way down with the engine

idling isn't "riding the clutch".  Though if you've got one of those

cars with the graphite throw-out bearing (MG? Triumph?), you want to

avoid that too.