Did anyone else struggle with clutch control?

I really can't get used to it. I've gotten so used to using my handbrake at hill junctions and now my instructor wants me to be stopping still using just the clutch. :s-smilie:

I was just wondering how other people found this stopping using clutch only?
Did it come to you at ease or did you keep moving back/forwards?

Reply 1

lodzinski

If you can, just spend time purely on the clutch work - just go somewhere quiet and get used to it - sit on a hill and keep it still, then work on moving it forward and then hold it on the clutch - even if you have to spend 30mins or whatever on it, it will be worth it as you will know the clutch, which is important for more than just hill starts.

Reply 2

Ilora-Danon

For some reason I'm the complete opposite - I find using biting point easier and less stressful than using the handbrake..... lol.

Reply 3

sophie_05

yeh just keep practising purely with the clutch control can understand that ur instuctor dosnt want u using the handbreak all the time for stopping i rarely use the handbreak just the clutch dont even think about it now u will get there tho

Reply 4

Cessie

I found it easy in my instructors car (diesel clio) but really hard in my mums car which doesn't move at all when you get the biting point and you have to bring the clutch up a lot further or you roll back. It's easy once you're used to it thoughQ

Reply 5

Spiffy

I had one heck of a job with clutch control but one day it just kind of clicked. Having confidence in youself being able to do it works wonders, dont think "oh no, im not going to be able to do this now", think positive, if it goes wrong just keep on trying and eventually it will click for you too :smile:

Reply 6

DiscoPirate

Cheers for the replies.

Reply 7

r0manticide17

Spend a lesson entirely on clutch control. I had trouble with this, but I spent a lesson on it and that's as long as it took. I tried to get into the habit of using clutch control to keep me on a hill rather than the handbrake.

Reply 8

pikaboo

Wear shoes with as thin soles as you can find - I have my lucky 'driving shoes' and they're great for feeling the clutch. The more practice you get the more used to the bite you will get, and soon you'll be moving it up and down to control the car unconsciously :smile:

Reply 9

Spannerism

What I did was I got in my dads car with my Dad and shuffled it back and forth 2 metres at a time in the driveway. Every time I came to top he told me 'Keep your *****ing leg down' so I didn't stall it and after that I had the clutch sorted and the brake. I'm currently trying to smooth out my gear change more

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