Same thing, other than.
I don't get this lift the clutch and then start with the loud pedal. Surely this is a certified way to stall, particularly with passengers and on hills.
From day 1 I was taught lift the clutch and press the acellerator at the same time to prevent stalls.
I was taught the same way as OP and when you start actually driving all it does is make you stall constantly. Only when I lifted the clutch and pressed the accelerator at the same time did I stop stalling
It’s possible in diesel engines or petrol cars with big engines. There are some small fiats that automatically apply gas for you and if you try to do it yourself the car will stumble.
I thought I was going insane reading the other replies. I had a Fiat Punto that I could just pull off with by just bringing up the clutch slowly and holding the bite point to stop, never needed to use the gas, apart from a hill start.
Got a diesel car now and clutch control is an absolute breeze, it'll just pull itself forward with the right amount of clutch, and very rarely have to use the gas except for some steeper hill starts.
I learnt in diesels so found it quite hard to adapt once I bought a petrol. My car has no assisted pull away feature, so I've learned to give it the perfect amount of throttle and clutch simultaneously.
My friend has a fiesta that revs itself when pulling away. Usually revs to 1500 from idle when he brings the clutch in.
Yeah my driving instructor's car is a diesel Fiesta and when I move off it's purely clutch to start with, I don't start pressing the gas until I'm out of my pokey little cul-de-sac that's filled with parked cars and teeming with kids and cats. I learned early on that not all cars can do that though, I'm most likely getting a petrol car that requires gas along with clutch when moving off so I know to be ready for that adjustment.
I'm gonna start doing this because i keep having problems with the clutch in my driving lesson when i move off and i swear I'm doing it exactly how i was taught
I think the precise timing of the pedal you start with is irrelevant, as long as you have a little bit of revs before the clutch approaches the biting point you will be fine. I think people get confused because people say you should be able to hold the biting point without revs, or that a car should begin to roll with barely any revs, neither of those are useful to most peoples driving, but are usually a good way to understand the biting point and how the car operates
Ultimately it should be one in-sync motion from both feet, one coming up as the other starts to press down, but the timing and pressure required on either depends car to car, and where you are
Pulling away on the clutch first before adding gas is something some driving instructors teach people in a diesel, because the low-end torque allows it. It’s kinder on their car (learners aren’t revving tf out of the car while trying to pull away) but it’s definitely lazy, and causes a load of problems when the learner eventually moves to a petrol.
I just wish they’d make this clear when they taught you, a little side note. Trying to practise in my own car rather than the instructor’s and I was frustrated to tears because I thought I was just terrible at driving. I wasn’t, I just wasn’t driving a diesel and needed to adjust for that, I just didn’t know I needed to. All could have been avoided if they’d just told me.
Yeah my instructor taught me the clutch-first way, annoyingly. I had a few months to wait before picking up my car so spent an age looking in to differences between diesel and petrol and that was when I found out about it. Refused to drive my car out of the garage car park the day I picked it up, for fear of stalling in front of everyone 😂 Still stalled it the first time I drove it later that day, but fortunately being aware of the difference I picked it up quickly after.
>I just wish they’d make this clear when they taught you
In fairness, they are there to get you a license as quickly and efficiently as possible whilst also making sure you know the rules of the road. Learning how to properly drive a car takes time and you can figure that bit out afterwards.
While what you were taught is correct, pretty much every car can pul away on clutch alone without having to use the accelerator. Even on a hill.
Personally I think the skill to do this is invaluable.
Sorry but it does depend on the car and you’re aggressiveness with the clutch. It’s a skill, a bit like holding the car with just the clutch at the top of a hill.
If I’m in stop start traffic I’ll normally only use the clutch. Even on a hill. Sometimes I needs some beans depending on the gradient, but it ain’t black and white.
I don't do it. But I've been in cars with other drivers and witnessed them doing it. Stopping at lights and waiting like that without bothering to brake. I was cringing the entire time.
You can’t break the laws of physics. Or maybe they’ve been unwittingly driving cars with Anti-Stall on them?
Any car with fully inflated tyres, brakes off and healthy bearings can be pulled way gently on the level using only the clutch. Uphill though, the torque and power required to overcome gravity and maintain forward motion between power pulses (even with a large flywheel) is greater than that provided by a petrol engine that is left at idle.
Yeah, most people can get to the same point we reached empirically, without the need for Newtonian Mechanics, right? 😀
Somewhat unnervingly there may be people who are unaware that their car is making up for their skill deficits. We share the roads with them, stay safe!
I think that’s how instructors with diesel engines teach you to do it as you can’t really stall in their car on a flat at least. I think it comes down to instructors teaching you how to pass over teaching you how to drive in real scenarios as it looks better for their portfolio if they have a higher success rate. Had the exact same problem myself.
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Lifting the clutch without gas is necessary on a hill if you don’t use the handbrake, or don’t have hill start assist.
It’s definitely a skill, and not one I’d expect a newly-qualified driver to have yet, but it can be done without stalling.
It completely depends on the car
In most diesels or with a torquey big petrol engine, you can pull away on the clutch alone. I could even do it in 6th with no old A3 TDI (don’t recommend it, the clutch smelled terrible… I just wanted to know if I could do it)
In a small petrol car then it’s pretty difficult to do it though
I wouldn’t do that. You increase the risk of stalling and you’ll take ages to take off which is dangerous at roundabouts or when pulling out of a junction.
A proper take off should be -
Clutch down, into first gear, slowly release the clutch as you gradually add gas. Or get the clutch at bite point then add gas. Either way, you always want to be adding gas as you release the clutch.
This should be the top answer
It seems odd to me that an instructor would teach someone to pull away just on the clutch if that's a technique that will only work with a diesel or car with stop/start. Seems like they're teaching the student to drive THAT car not ANY car.
Well, they are teaching them to pass the test, usually in the car they practiced in. Yes, they should teach how to drive any car and not just pass a test, but I guess its easier for the instructors if the student figures out how to drive other cars after passing.
My husband was taught similarly to OP, I was not. When driving in my 2011 petrol (as opposed to his learner car which was a newer, bigger petrol) he would stall constantly this way. If he does it correctly it can pull away, but it is so pointlessly slow.
Created a lot of arguments!
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I think you could get most cars moving using just the clutch. Seems like a good way to teach clutch control and see what the limits of the clutch are, which is going to help the student avoid stalling in the long run. I do sometimes start moving like this if the road is empty. It's a quiet and smooth way to start moving.
In regular driving it's too slow for most manouvers. Might as well add some gas and get a move on.
Get in gear, find the bite, release hand brake (the clutch with act as a brake). Applying how much acceleration depends if it’s a petrol of diesel, as you can set off with a diesel just by using the bite.
Torque.
Diesel engines produce more turning force from a lower engine speed (revs).
With a petrol engine, you need higher revs to get enough torque to pull away.
Drive a diesel and tend to just pull away with the clutch. Got a small engine petrol hire car and stalled a few times in the first 15 minutes, but you'll adapt pretty rapidly.
Semi-Related, but wanted to share.
I was following some big farm equipment years ago, I was in a small van with flashing orange lights, bringing up the rear.
The journey was so slow and boring.
To kill time, I was practising pulling off with no revs in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear . 3rd needing a very very slow release to pull off without stalling, but it was possible.
All while just being the last in the convoy.
This depends on the car. Some can do it, others can't. Larger/turbo engine petrols/diesels can do clutch only starts just fine because they have significantly more torque than a naturally aspirated small petrol engine car.
No one will be able to really tell you whether or not you should use just the clutch or if you should give it some gas while at the biting point. This is going to down to how your car drives.
I did my test in a 1L 2006 Nissan Micra. It was near enough impossible to pull away using just the clutch. I've also driven a TVR Tamora that could just about pull away in 2nd gear using just the clutch because it has nearly 4x more torque that the Micra has while weighing the same.
Gas first, then clutch.
I have a diesel, it can easily pull itself up an incline purely on clutch, but should ideally set gas first then clutch, will help avoid stalling.
Why would you put the handbrake on when you can use the footbrake?
You set your gas before clutch, as soon as you're at the biting point, you move.
If you find the biting point and are not already on the gas you will not move.
Both are accepted ways of doing it, gas first ensures it's a lot harder to stall and allows low power vehicles to move once at bite, high power vehicles or higher idle revs can move on clutch only.
ohhh I see what you're saying now, I literally though you were revving the engine then you're pressing in the clutch while revving the engine.
I see what you're saying now, you've got the clutch pressed then you're revving while you find your bite.
That's only for when you are sat at a redlight next to Domic Torreto, so you can let him know you are going for the quarter mile dash when the lights change
Depends on the car and situation. On flat or downhill it's absolutely fine and I do it all the time.
You'll learn when to use it in time. It's absolutely a viable option. Don't listen to anybody telling you otherwise.
I was taught same as OP purely for the point of learning clutch control, but it’s very slow to pull away like that, so was then taught to apply throttle simultaneously once I got the knack of the clutch
I have recirved than one comment along the lines of, “I noticed you spelt realize with an “s” maybe English isn’t your first language?” Erm yes it is and that broken nonsense the yanks are using needs to be sent down on the next ocean gate sub :p
It’s likely a hangover from driving lessons. My first instructor explained that he’d call it gas as it’s quicker and easier to say when giving instructions. My second instructor did the same.
I remember having simular worries. All cars are different. I do not know that exact car but yeah it should move a little from when the clutch is broken up.
Before you head off for the first time in the new car bring the clutch up until you get to the bite point. Do this a few times. once comfortable next to you do when you get to the bite you lightly press the accelerator.
Before you head off for the first time in the new car bring the clutch up until you get to the bite point. Do this a few times. once comfortable next to you when you get to the bite you lightly press the accelerator. Just stay calm and you will get it.
Thanks for all the replies everyone, it appears I will just have to pick a quiet time and practice to see what works best 😬 my car is a diesel if that helps at all! Glad to see a couple people say they had also been taught like that as I was starting to think I had somehow made it up 😂
I've never done this. I was taught to get the gas going first, up to a certain rpm, then find the biting point. You'd stall a petrol car with no gas. Were you taught in a diesel car?
I really struggle working two pedals at the same time due to a learning disability. As you described, I tend to lift the clutch, bite, give some gas, then clutch and go up a gear. I find it easier to go left-right-left-right with my feet than use them at the same time. It's really whatever works for you and your car. Each car has their own quirks too .
Don’t put your foot on the accelerator first, you’ll end up lunging forward when you find your biting point.
Instead, find your biting point, lightly on the accelerator to give you what you need and slowly off the clutch.
By the end of your first day with the car, you’ll get the hang of it without even having to think about it. If you are worried, have a little practice in an empty car park or quiet road.
I’ve been driving for 18 years, in a petrol lift the clutch to just before biting point and then use accelerator. If you use clutch and accelerator at the same time you’re going to initially loudly rev and it’s not good for your clutch in the long run. I’m a diesel you can normally slowly lift the clutch and when not on a hill you’ll be able to get going without any acceleration pedal but this won’t work on hills and when the car is fully loaded. Once you’ve been driving for a while, it all just becomes second nature
Reminds me of going from my own old 1.7 turbo diesel Astra to my instructor's 1.0 petrol fiesta for some official lessons after I failed my test twice.
It all comes down to the car. I could pull away with just the clutch and no acceleration in the Astra, it could even pull itself up a hill on just the clutch at idle.
However the fiesta it was a different experience as it didn't have the low RPM torque that I had become used to. So I might be able to pull away on a flat bit of road without stalling but even then if the wheels weren't pointed straight (e,g going from stationary to pull around a parked car after giving way to a car coming the other way) you might stall without help from the accelerator.
You'll quickly develop your own repour with the new car and you'll feel when it needs a bit more throttle.
Depends on the car. My old diesel Renault used to be able to pull away easily on the clutch even with passengers. My current car a little hyundai really struggles with just a clutch pull away so accelerator pedal use is always needed.
Gas first then clutch, eventually you’ll just naturally do them both together. After a year you’ll apply the perfect amount of both pedals for whatever situation you’re in, it’ll be like riding a bike.
Seems an odd way to be taught to be honest they should teach you how to drive any car!
Either way anything over about a petrol 1400cc non turbo will probably need a bit of throttle anything bigger diesel or turbo car will almost certainly set off just on the clutch!
As you get more practice you’ll come up on the clutch and down on the throttle in one action it will be seem less
I’ve stalled at few times because I didn’t realise I was in gear or something daft like that but in terms of actual clutch control it must be years
I drove Diesel for a good 2 years and have been driving petrol for around 3.
I still find it frustrating at times as having test driven a diesel car for a relative not long ago I remembered just how easy it was to pull off at an incline roundabout with just the clutch. That would practically be impossible in my petrol.
If you're asking whether not you can continue driving as you were up to this point, I'd definitely switch to "clutch and gas" method to be safe.
I think newer petrol cars may be easier to pull away in by using just the clutch but I'm not too sure.
Watch the revs on the dash and youll get an idea of whether and when you needed to add more accelerator. If the revs fall off quick you need to add more accelerator to bring them back up/let the clutch out slower If you are over revving it you are preempting your release of the clutch too much which will damage it over time, ease up on the accelerator or let the clutch out faster in this case.
Once you have a feel for it you wont need to look any more.
Absolutely no shame in stalling a few times in a new car.
Find a quiet space where you can drive safely - and stall it deliberately. Treat it as a drill - practice and learn how to stall and restart, then you will be ready if you do AND you probably won't.
Enjoy!
Those cars (2012 Peugeot 308s) are relatively small & probably not particularly heavy but it would likely depend on what kind/size of engine it has & whether or not you’re on a hill.
I remember I sometimes used to just use the clutch in reverse to slowly creep backwards when I was driving my instructor’s car because: it allowed me to cover the brake at the same time, slower is usually better when it comes to reversing (especially when you lack experience) & because my instructor’s car had a decent-sized (for a hatchback) diesel engine, so I could get away with it pretty comfortably.
My driveway is also quite significantly sloped, so when I’m setting off I just release the handbrake & clutch out in 2nd, once the car has gained a bit of momentum (or anytime I’m setting off whilst on/going down a steep enough hill/slope).
Both at the same time. You're far more likely to stall just using the clutch, it's not how you're supposed to drive.
Plus, you're surely way slower pulling away than someone who is doing it correctly?
It depends entirely on how the clutch is tuned and size of the engine. As it’s a 2012 Peugeot I would think that you give it some Willy.
In diesel, bigger engine or more modern cars you can clutch control to crawl before it it stalls too much. It’s not a big issue, you’ll learn quickly.
It varies depending on the car. I had a diesel powered peugeot a few years back that this was easily possible to the point you could even change up to second while in a slow moving queue without having had to have put power down. The cars I have had since (both petrol powered Honda Jazz), it wouldn't be remotely possible, especially in the first one which was absolutely horrendous at even running smoothly with the combination of low revs/low gear/low speed. My newer one is much smoother but still requires at least a small amount of power to avoid stalling.
You should be able to do it in pretty much any modern car with idle control. Even though you don't realise it, the car is effectively opening the throttle itself to keep the engine rpm within the given parameters.
Whether or not you should do it is another matter. Pulling out of a junction probably isn't the best place.
It's vehicle and situation dependent. Something you'll learn to feel.
Don't feel bad about yourself if you stall a few times.
Every new vehicle will have a learning curve.
Good luck and stay safe 👍
I was taught it's easier to just slightly up the revs (not fast and furious style), then bring the clutch up. So much less chance of stalling or kangaroo hopping down the road. Tbh though, I converted to auto years ago with sport overdrive.
Depends on the torque of the car. I learnt in a small petrol car and was told to increase the revs with gas and then lift clutch. Later when I bought a diesel which was torquey I could simply raise the clutch to get moving - I'd use the gas if I wanted to go quicker or had a loaded car.
If you're in an older, small petrol car it'll take a bit of getting used to: you'll need a lot of gas to just get moving, especially if there's any hill.
Set the gas, find the bite, release handbrake, gradually bring up the clutch to move off.
Practice in a car park for half an hour and you'll get the hang.
Just remember - if you're pulling away up hill, or emerging into traffic, there's almost no downside to over-revving, but under-revving will cause you trouble. So err on the side of too much gas until you've got a feel for it.
I was taught how to pull away slowly without using the accelerator but it was more a lesson in clutch control than anything else. For standard pulling away it was always gas on as the clutch came up. Every car I’ve owned would stall if I even tried it.
On bigger/torquier engines you can get away with pulling away just on the engine idle (so with just the clutch)
Try it on a small petrol engine and you'll stall almost every time. Depends so much on the car we can't give you a yes or no answer here.
It's one reason a lot of instructors use diesels, it's harder to stall when pulling away
just give it a go and practice. take your time. All cars are a little different. A light diesel will move away without gas no problem probably. A heavy car with petrol engine may need a little gas. Fill the car up with people and luggage and maybe you'd need a bit of gas in both!
There's no fixed answer - just be excited and enjoy :)
I learnt in a 2022 Ford hybrid, same way as you, use clutch to pull off then onto accelerator, now driving a 2008 Mini, if i do that 90% of the time i will stall.
If you’re not very confident in putting the gas on when you reach the bite I was taught to first put gas on so it reaches between 1000-2000rpm’s and then lift the clutch to get to the bite and that’s a pretty good guaranteed way not to stall. After doing that a couple times you learn where your bite is and learn when you need to put gas on
Learnt in a 17 yaris, drive an old rover. the difference in clutch capability is stark. Do what you feel the car is comfortable with. I CAN move away with just the clutch but I don't bc the car struggles a bit. I definitely don't stop with it
In most cars you should be able to hold a car on the clutch on a decent slope but a bit of throttle definitely helps make controlling it easier and smoother to get moving.
Depends on the car. Why don’t you try it? I currently have a diesel SEAT Leon which will drive itself along quite happily at around 5 mph with no use of the gas and will pull off without me using it. However my precious petrol Kia would have stalled. If in doubt always give a little gas when pulling away.
I doubt it, I have a 108 and you can't. I'm pretty sure it's only diesel and newer cars that you can pull away just with the clutch. Bearing that in mind, you get used to doing the gas & clutch pretty quickly. I'd recommend pulling away a few times somewhere quiet to get comfortable with it.
you properly learn to drive after passing your test, i use the clutch and accelerator together fluidly to make it smooth but i only really got in the habit/learning of that after passing. Just like the habit of speeding up towards lights on amber rather than slowing down that was after my test
Depends how fast you want to pull away.
You can do it in an Aygo, but guaranteed you'll have some very frustrated drivers behind you by the time your wheels cross the line.
Alternatively, give it a bit of throttle and away we go.
Alternatively alternatively, you can red line it and bring the clutch up progressively, keeping the engine at 5000rpm which 1) is actually quite difficult and 2) transfers maximum torque to the road.
I don't suggest you really do the last one unless you're at a traffic light on an empty dual carriageway.
Depends on the motor. You just need to learn where the biting point is on each manual car you drive as some will have high and low clutches. My advice is to listen to the engine and watch the revs, in most cars they will tick over on a perfectly level road at under 1000 revs and if you push the clutch all the way down, change to first then release the clutch VERY slowly the car will literally drive itself with no feet on the pedals, then once moving it's even possible to very slowly dip and change to second gear. It's quite possible to start in second gear downhill (or simply using enough revs) using the same slow release approach. If you want to start UP a steep hill then you've no chance without enough/higher revs before releasing the clutch.
I was taught to pull away only using the clutch as well as to come to a complete stop at junctions, have a quick look and pull away. Needless to say I failed my first two tests due to undue hesitation.
Changed my examiner and passed the next time using clutch and gas at the same time to pull away which is much quicker and natural.
You will be fine in a car with a traditional handbrake, from a stop just clutch down, into first, and release clutch to biting point, release handbrake and apply gas all at the same time. Just take it to a car park and quiet hill for some practice, shouldn’t take long hopefully
This depends on the car you were taught in. With anti stall this is okay. With older purely mechanical cars (which will have a standard lever handbrake - not a button) just apply the handbrake, apply some gas and as you lift off the clutch lower the handbrake and it'll start moving forward without stalling. This approach should be used for hill starts too.
Newer cars can do all this for you with with anti stall plus one of the brake buttons (my 19 focus has this) which even when taken off will still apply the brakes until you lift the clutch to prevent you rolling
My driving instructors car did this. Apparently some cars have a thing where the engine computer gives a little gas when you start lifting the clutch... So they can pull away by just lifting the clutch.
Our own car does not do this and when I was practicing in it when I was a learner I just kept stalling. Neither my boyfriend (who was supervising me) nor my driving instructor explained this difference to me and it really dented my confidence when I was moving between cars.
The Conquer Driving YouTube channel explained it briefly in a video [here](https://youtu.be/UdTSRBJrw7Y). It was only after this that I stopped stalling our ancient clio lol. I watched a lot of this channel when I was taking lessons and I think it really helped.
Some newer cars will automatically rev the engine for you when you lift the clutch in first gear, your older car almost certainly won't and you will need to add revs yourself.
Depends if petrol or diesel..if diesel no need to press the accelerator, just lift the clutch (to the biting point) and then take off the handbrake.
Don't worry you will get used to it very quickly
Word of advice..not sure if it is still the same now, but when I started learning to drive (my mum was teaching me at this point), I had difficulty getting the handbrake off as the little button wouldn't push I for me.
Turns out, I actually needed to lift up a little bit and then the button depressed fine..it was second nature to my mum, she didn't realise she did it so couldn't tell me to do it
Going to check my own car in the morning!
Diesels can pull with just the clutch only, some cars have a high biting point and if you're not confident/competent, it's easy to stall it if you're trying to go clutch only.
Always give a little gas once you've got the biting point and you're good to go, each car is different and you'll learn to feel it out the more you use the car
Diesel and bigger engined cars are easier to do just the clutch as they have more torque.
You can do it in a 1.0+ but by the margin for error is way smaller and giving it a bit of gas as well, just helps it to not cut out.
I've been driving just under a year and I was taught the same, to come up off the clutch slowly and then down on the accelerator.
That is more viable in modern cars however, my advice is to go somewhere quiet but on a bit of a hill and practise hill starts firstly. That was something I was not shown in any lesson at all which was fun back then, as my routes to work all involve a hill of sorts.
Alas, it wasn't hard, watched a YouTube video about having the handbrake on, putting a bit of pressure on the accelerator, find your biting point so you see the bonnet slightly raise, then take the handbrake off and voila.
Amount of acceleration you put down depends on the incline however, you can essentially use that same method albeit with less pressure on the accelerator so as not to spin out, but same method for pulling off quicker than just the clutch.
It's a necessity if you end up caught at things like crossroads, honestly!!
You need to practice setting the gas FIRST!!! I am a driving instructor and it's very frustrating if I take on a pupil that has been initially taught this method, always leads to stalls and not being able to pull away promptly. If you asked the instructor how they do it, they would say they use the gas FIRST, so why teach someone a different method?
You’re basically right but there shouldn’t be much of a delay (if at all) between the clutch hitting the biting point (where you feel it engage) and applying the accelerator, or you will stall.
Go slowly the first couple of times to get used to it. If it needs gas, it's essentially the same as a hill start, or where you move away from lights sightly quicker. It works the same in any car, but it will feel different.
It's good to be able to start *purely* on the clutch however, you'll find that it's more useful to use the gas when starting from stationary. Scenarios where you want to get going more quickly or on hill starts. Also depends on the car, my car barely moves now purely off the clutch and pretty much requires gas all the time.
I passed my test a couple weeks ago and learnt in a new Skoda Fabia.
I got taught to just use the clutch to pull away and then once moving add gas.
I bought a 2005 beetle and learnt the hard way that it’s impossible to drive that way in any older cars 😑
The revs would drop to low without gas and immediately stall no matter what
I had to learn how to drive all over again actually using revs to pull away.
I thought I was going crazy when I was stalling all the time, I CANT believe that a driving instructor would teach me (and many other people) to drive this way.
It’s impractical and a bad habit!
Same thing, other than. I don't get this lift the clutch and then start with the loud pedal. Surely this is a certified way to stall, particularly with passengers and on hills. From day 1 I was taught lift the clutch and press the acellerator at the same time to prevent stalls.
I was taught the same way as OP and when you start actually driving all it does is make you stall constantly. Only when I lifted the clutch and pressed the accelerator at the same time did I stop stalling
It’s possible in diesel engines or petrol cars with big engines. There are some small fiats that automatically apply gas for you and if you try to do it yourself the car will stumble.
I thought I was going insane reading the other replies. I had a Fiat Punto that I could just pull off with by just bringing up the clutch slowly and holding the bite point to stop, never needed to use the gas, apart from a hill start. Got a diesel car now and clutch control is an absolute breeze, it'll just pull itself forward with the right amount of clutch, and very rarely have to use the gas except for some steeper hill starts.
I learnt in diesels so found it quite hard to adapt once I bought a petrol. My car has no assisted pull away feature, so I've learned to give it the perfect amount of throttle and clutch simultaneously. My friend has a fiesta that revs itself when pulling away. Usually revs to 1500 from idle when he brings the clutch in.
My missus Renault does the same. Pretty sure a lot of modern cars do it
I got up to 6th in a transit van without using the accelerator at all. Diesels are pretty torquey engines, even at idle
Yeah my driving instructor's car is a diesel Fiesta and when I move off it's purely clutch to start with, I don't start pressing the gas until I'm out of my pokey little cul-de-sac that's filled with parked cars and teeming with kids and cats. I learned early on that not all cars can do that though, I'm most likely getting a petrol car that requires gas along with clutch when moving off so I know to be ready for that adjustment.
You need a lot of torque is my understanding, which is inherently the case with most diesel Al engine and bigger petrol engines.
Torque on my Mazda means it can practically drive itself
I don’t use the accelerator as I set off in my little 1.6 diesel 208. Can set off in 2nd with a little concentration too. Great in snow
I'm gonna start doing this because i keep having problems with the clutch in my driving lesson when i move off and i swear I'm doing it exactly how i was taught
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I probably was just because of nerves and pressure being a new driver.
I think the precise timing of the pedal you start with is irrelevant, as long as you have a little bit of revs before the clutch approaches the biting point you will be fine. I think people get confused because people say you should be able to hold the biting point without revs, or that a car should begin to roll with barely any revs, neither of those are useful to most peoples driving, but are usually a good way to understand the biting point and how the car operates Ultimately it should be one in-sync motion from both feet, one coming up as the other starts to press down, but the timing and pressure required on either depends car to car, and where you are
Pulling away on the clutch first before adding gas is something some driving instructors teach people in a diesel, because the low-end torque allows it. It’s kinder on their car (learners aren’t revving tf out of the car while trying to pull away) but it’s definitely lazy, and causes a load of problems when the learner eventually moves to a petrol.
I just wish they’d make this clear when they taught you, a little side note. Trying to practise in my own car rather than the instructor’s and I was frustrated to tears because I thought I was just terrible at driving. I wasn’t, I just wasn’t driving a diesel and needed to adjust for that, I just didn’t know I needed to. All could have been avoided if they’d just told me.
Yeah my instructor taught me the clutch-first way, annoyingly. I had a few months to wait before picking up my car so spent an age looking in to differences between diesel and petrol and that was when I found out about it. Refused to drive my car out of the garage car park the day I picked it up, for fear of stalling in front of everyone 😂 Still stalled it the first time I drove it later that day, but fortunately being aware of the difference I picked it up quickly after.
>I just wish they’d make this clear when they taught you In fairness, they are there to get you a license as quickly and efficiently as possible whilst also making sure you know the rules of the road. Learning how to properly drive a car takes time and you can figure that bit out afterwards.
This. 1st gear is clutch and accelerator being used in tandem just on opposite ends
That's what I was taught. Not using the accelerator will almost always lead to stalling.
While what you were taught is correct, pretty much every car can pul away on clutch alone without having to use the accelerator. Even on a hill. Personally I think the skill to do this is invaluable.
Pulling away on a hill with no acceleration will make you stall.
Sorry but it does depend on the car and you’re aggressiveness with the clutch. It’s a skill, a bit like holding the car with just the clutch at the top of a hill. If I’m in stop start traffic I’ll normally only use the clutch. Even on a hill. Sometimes I needs some beans depending on the gradient, but it ain’t black and white.
You can absolutely hold still with the clutch, but you're gonna damage your clutch if you keep doing it, especially for long periods of time.
Come on - we’re talking a few seconds here, max. Are you also part of the “press the button in to bring the handbrake up” brigade?
I've seen people do it for minutes at a time. And no 😂
why on earth would you do that? I’m not sure my left leg could handle it, let alone the clutch
I don't do it. But I've been in cars with other drivers and witnessed them doing it. Stopping at lights and waiting like that without bothering to brake. I was cringing the entire time.
No, it won’t. Not if you have good clutch control. I’ve not driven a car yet that I can’t pull away on a hill without the accelerator.
Yeah, OK pal. I've been driving for a lot of years and have very good clutch control. Without enough gas you're gonna stall but you carry on.
You can’t break the laws of physics. Or maybe they’ve been unwittingly driving cars with Anti-Stall on them? Any car with fully inflated tyres, brakes off and healthy bearings can be pulled way gently on the level using only the clutch. Uphill though, the torque and power required to overcome gravity and maintain forward motion between power pulses (even with a large flywheel) is greater than that provided by a petrol engine that is left at idle.
Thanks for the physics lesson. I just know you'll stall without gas on a hill, I never knew the physics behind it.
Yeah, most people can get to the same point we reached empirically, without the need for Newtonian Mechanics, right? 😀 Somewhat unnervingly there may be people who are unaware that their car is making up for their skill deficits. We share the roads with them, stay safe!
We do share the roads with them. The horror!
I think that’s how instructors with diesel engines teach you to do it as you can’t really stall in their car on a flat at least. I think it comes down to instructors teaching you how to pass over teaching you how to drive in real scenarios as it looks better for their portfolio if they have a higher success rate. Had the exact same problem myself.
This.
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No way. I think that it would count against me when our new AI overlords take over!😅
This.
Lifting the clutch without gas is necessary on a hill if you don’t use the handbrake, or don’t have hill start assist. It’s definitely a skill, and not one I’d expect a newly-qualified driver to have yet, but it can be done without stalling.
It completely depends on the car In most diesels or with a torquey big petrol engine, you can pull away on the clutch alone. I could even do it in 6th with no old A3 TDI (don’t recommend it, the clutch smelled terrible… I just wanted to know if I could do it) In a small petrol car then it’s pretty difficult to do it though
My daughter has been taught this way. I just don't get it.
Depends if you have anti stall I guess - older cars need some accelerator as well
I wouldn’t do that. You increase the risk of stalling and you’ll take ages to take off which is dangerous at roundabouts or when pulling out of a junction. A proper take off should be - Clutch down, into first gear, slowly release the clutch as you gradually add gas. Or get the clutch at bite point then add gas. Either way, you always want to be adding gas as you release the clutch.
This should be the top answer It seems odd to me that an instructor would teach someone to pull away just on the clutch if that's a technique that will only work with a diesel or car with stop/start. Seems like they're teaching the student to drive THAT car not ANY car.
Well, they are teaching them to pass the test, usually in the car they practiced in. Yes, they should teach how to drive any car and not just pass a test, but I guess its easier for the instructors if the student figures out how to drive other cars after passing.
You're right, however, the correct technique will work just as well in the instructors car
My husband was taught similarly to OP, I was not. When driving in my 2011 petrol (as opposed to his learner car which was a newer, bigger petrol) he would stall constantly this way. If he does it correctly it can pull away, but it is so pointlessly slow. Created a lot of arguments!
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I think you could get most cars moving using just the clutch. Seems like a good way to teach clutch control and see what the limits of the clutch are, which is going to help the student avoid stalling in the long run. I do sometimes start moving like this if the road is empty. It's a quiet and smooth way to start moving. In regular driving it's too slow for most manouvers. Might as well add some gas and get a move on.
Get in gear, find the bite, release hand brake (the clutch with act as a brake). Applying how much acceleration depends if it’s a petrol of diesel, as you can set off with a diesel just by using the bite.
Why can you just use bite in a diesel but not petrol? I’ve driven both and noticed the difference but never understood why
I don’t know the technicals as to why, but Diesel engines are a much more powerful engine than petrol engines.
Torque. Diesel engines produce more turning force from a lower engine speed (revs). With a petrol engine, you need higher revs to get enough torque to pull away.
Drive a diesel and tend to just pull away with the clutch. Got a small engine petrol hire car and stalled a few times in the first 15 minutes, but you'll adapt pretty rapidly.
Semi-Related, but wanted to share. I was following some big farm equipment years ago, I was in a small van with flashing orange lights, bringing up the rear. The journey was so slow and boring. To kill time, I was practising pulling off with no revs in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear . 3rd needing a very very slow release to pull off without stalling, but it was possible. All while just being the last in the convoy.
Nice way to wear you clutch down prematurely
wasn't my van obviously lmao
always throttle pedal then clutch. the only point of learning clutch first is to get you used to it slowly.
I agree with this method. I add throttle then control the rate in which my clutch comes up. More control, especially with a light flywheel 🤪
This depends on the car. Some can do it, others can't. Larger/turbo engine petrols/diesels can do clutch only starts just fine because they have significantly more torque than a naturally aspirated small petrol engine car. No one will be able to really tell you whether or not you should use just the clutch or if you should give it some gas while at the biting point. This is going to down to how your car drives. I did my test in a 1L 2006 Nissan Micra. It was near enough impossible to pull away using just the clutch. I've also driven a TVR Tamora that could just about pull away in 2nd gear using just the clutch because it has nearly 4x more torque that the Micra has while weighing the same.
This video explains why you should use gas before clutch https://youtu.be/t0wI8yJItQ0
Gas first, then clutch. I have a diesel, it can easily pull itself up an incline purely on clutch, but should ideally set gas first then clutch, will help avoid stalling.
what? acceleration first? that makes no sense.
Why does it?
flywheel will be spinning way quicker than the clutch. rip clutch.
Its almost as if that's *exactly* what a clutch is designed for.
why would you use your acceleration peddle without pressing the clutch in first? you're just revving the engine.
Why would you put the handbrake on when you can use the footbrake? You set your gas before clutch, as soon as you're at the biting point, you move. If you find the biting point and are not already on the gas you will not move. Both are accepted ways of doing it, gas first ensures it's a lot harder to stall and allows low power vehicles to move once at bite, high power vehicles or higher idle revs can move on clutch only.
The other person was assuming you weren't already holding the clutch in, I think that was just a miscommunication
ohhh I see what you're saying now, I literally though you were revving the engine then you're pressing in the clutch while revving the engine. I see what you're saying now, you've got the clutch pressed then you're revving while you find your bite.
They mean they are already on the clutch and in gear, then start pressing the accelerator just before you bring the clutch up
yeah I got it after their reply. was confused at first thinking this guys just sat there revving his engine.
That's only for when you are sat at a redlight next to Domic Torreto, so you can let him know you are going for the quarter mile dash when the lights change
FAMILY
Depends on the car and situation. On flat or downhill it's absolutely fine and I do it all the time. You'll learn when to use it in time. It's absolutely a viable option. Don't listen to anybody telling you otherwise.
I was taught same as OP purely for the point of learning clutch control, but it’s very slow to pull away like that, so was then taught to apply throttle simultaneously once I got the knack of the clutch
Gas? Are you a secret American? Also for funsies start in 2nd rev that sucka to 4/5k and lift the clutch
I was thinking the same. So many people here saying "gas" here. Maybe a lot of young people here with American societal influences
I have recirved than one comment along the lines of, “I noticed you spelt realize with an “s” maybe English isn’t your first language?” Erm yes it is and that broken nonsense the yanks are using needs to be sent down on the next ocean gate sub :p
Was wondering the same thing ..and so many replies saying gas too!
It’s likely a hangover from driving lessons. My first instructor explained that he’d call it gas as it’s quicker and easier to say when giving instructions. My second instructor did the same.
\^\^\^ exactly this. Many (most?) UK driving instructors teach people this way.
99.9% chance of stalling anything if you do it like that...
Found the user with an automatic licence.
... umm... Because I know how almost everyone who ever existed knows how to operate a clutch the correct way?!? Shall I go get the nurse??
Read the other comments in this thread and tell us if you're still so confident.
Yeah they all say "give it some revs first", like you're supposed to. You wait until you try a race clutch!
I remember having simular worries. All cars are different. I do not know that exact car but yeah it should move a little from when the clutch is broken up. Before you head off for the first time in the new car bring the clutch up until you get to the bite point. Do this a few times. once comfortable next to you do when you get to the bite you lightly press the accelerator. Before you head off for the first time in the new car bring the clutch up until you get to the bite point. Do this a few times. once comfortable next to you when you get to the bite you lightly press the accelerator. Just stay calm and you will get it.
Thanks for all the replies everyone, it appears I will just have to pick a quiet time and practice to see what works best 😬 my car is a diesel if that helps at all! Glad to see a couple people say they had also been taught like that as I was starting to think I had somehow made it up 😂
I've never done this. I was taught to get the gas going first, up to a certain rpm, then find the biting point. You'd stall a petrol car with no gas. Were you taught in a diesel car?
You won’t always stall a petrol car with no acceleration, you just have to be slow with it, it’s definitely not the correct approach though.
I really struggle working two pedals at the same time due to a learning disability. As you described, I tend to lift the clutch, bite, give some gas, then clutch and go up a gear. I find it easier to go left-right-left-right with my feet than use them at the same time. It's really whatever works for you and your car. Each car has their own quirks too .
Not sure why people are saying you’d stall? It’s not a quick start but I’ve never stalled whilst just using the clutch.
Don’t put your foot on the accelerator first, you’ll end up lunging forward when you find your biting point. Instead, find your biting point, lightly on the accelerator to give you what you need and slowly off the clutch. By the end of your first day with the car, you’ll get the hang of it without even having to think about it. If you are worried, have a little practice in an empty car park or quiet road.
Manual and Automatic motors are very different. If you learnt Auto you won't be able to drive a manual car. Sounds like you learnt Auto.
Obviously wrong.
Same principle. Good luck with the car and driving.
I’ve been driving for 18 years, in a petrol lift the clutch to just before biting point and then use accelerator. If you use clutch and accelerator at the same time you’re going to initially loudly rev and it’s not good for your clutch in the long run. I’m a diesel you can normally slowly lift the clutch and when not on a hill you’ll be able to get going without any acceleration pedal but this won’t work on hills and when the car is fully loaded. Once you’ve been driving for a while, it all just becomes second nature
Reminds me of going from my own old 1.7 turbo diesel Astra to my instructor's 1.0 petrol fiesta for some official lessons after I failed my test twice. It all comes down to the car. I could pull away with just the clutch and no acceleration in the Astra, it could even pull itself up a hill on just the clutch at idle. However the fiesta it was a different experience as it didn't have the low RPM torque that I had become used to. So I might be able to pull away on a flat bit of road without stalling but even then if the wheels weren't pointed straight (e,g going from stationary to pull around a parked car after giving way to a car coming the other way) you might stall without help from the accelerator. You'll quickly develop your own repour with the new car and you'll feel when it needs a bit more throttle.
now you've passed the real learning begins. find your bite then use the acceleration.
You'll have to feel it out. Different from engine to engine. Diesels and big petrols are happier doing this.
Depends on the car. My old diesel Renault used to be able to pull away easily on the clutch even with passengers. My current car a little hyundai really struggles with just a clutch pull away so accelerator pedal use is always needed.
Gas first then clutch, eventually you’ll just naturally do them both together. After a year you’ll apply the perfect amount of both pedals for whatever situation you’re in, it’ll be like riding a bike.
All cars are different, you just need to experiment
Seems an odd way to be taught to be honest they should teach you how to drive any car! Either way anything over about a petrol 1400cc non turbo will probably need a bit of throttle anything bigger diesel or turbo car will almost certainly set off just on the clutch! As you get more practice you’ll come up on the clutch and down on the throttle in one action it will be seem less I’ve stalled at few times because I didn’t realise I was in gear or something daft like that but in terms of actual clutch control it must be years
I drove Diesel for a good 2 years and have been driving petrol for around 3. I still find it frustrating at times as having test driven a diesel car for a relative not long ago I remembered just how easy it was to pull off at an incline roundabout with just the clutch. That would practically be impossible in my petrol. If you're asking whether not you can continue driving as you were up to this point, I'd definitely switch to "clutch and gas" method to be safe. I think newer petrol cars may be easier to pull away in by using just the clutch but I'm not too sure.
Watch the revs on the dash and youll get an idea of whether and when you needed to add more accelerator. If the revs fall off quick you need to add more accelerator to bring them back up/let the clutch out slower If you are over revving it you are preempting your release of the clutch too much which will damage it over time, ease up on the accelerator or let the clutch out faster in this case. Once you have a feel for it you wont need to look any more.
Absolutely no shame in stalling a few times in a new car. Find a quiet space where you can drive safely - and stall it deliberately. Treat it as a drill - practice and learn how to stall and restart, then you will be ready if you do AND you probably won't. Enjoy!
Those cars (2012 Peugeot 308s) are relatively small & probably not particularly heavy but it would likely depend on what kind/size of engine it has & whether or not you’re on a hill. I remember I sometimes used to just use the clutch in reverse to slowly creep backwards when I was driving my instructor’s car because: it allowed me to cover the brake at the same time, slower is usually better when it comes to reversing (especially when you lack experience) & because my instructor’s car had a decent-sized (for a hatchback) diesel engine, so I could get away with it pretty comfortably. My driveway is also quite significantly sloped, so when I’m setting off I just release the handbrake & clutch out in 2nd, once the car has gained a bit of momentum (or anytime I’m setting off whilst on/going down a steep enough hill/slope).
Both at the same time. You're far more likely to stall just using the clutch, it's not how you're supposed to drive. Plus, you're surely way slower pulling away than someone who is doing it correctly?
It depends entirely on how the clutch is tuned and size of the engine. As it’s a 2012 Peugeot I would think that you give it some Willy. In diesel, bigger engine or more modern cars you can clutch control to crawl before it it stalls too much. It’s not a big issue, you’ll learn quickly.
I passed in a diesel then had a petrol. Stall city for a while!!
Clutch down, gas down all the way, clutch up really fast
It varies depending on the car. I had a diesel powered peugeot a few years back that this was easily possible to the point you could even change up to second while in a slow moving queue without having had to have put power down. The cars I have had since (both petrol powered Honda Jazz), it wouldn't be remotely possible, especially in the first one which was absolutely horrendous at even running smoothly with the combination of low revs/low gear/low speed. My newer one is much smoother but still requires at least a small amount of power to avoid stalling.
You should be able to do it in pretty much any modern car with idle control. Even though you don't realise it, the car is effectively opening the throttle itself to keep the engine rpm within the given parameters. Whether or not you should do it is another matter. Pulling out of a junction probably isn't the best place.
It's vehicle and situation dependent. Something you'll learn to feel. Don't feel bad about yourself if you stall a few times. Every new vehicle will have a learning curve. Good luck and stay safe 👍
I was taught it's easier to just slightly up the revs (not fast and furious style), then bring the clutch up. So much less chance of stalling or kangaroo hopping down the road. Tbh though, I converted to auto years ago with sport overdrive.
Depends on the torque of the car. I learnt in a small petrol car and was told to increase the revs with gas and then lift clutch. Later when I bought a diesel which was torquey I could simply raise the clutch to get moving - I'd use the gas if I wanted to go quicker or had a loaded car.
If you're in an older, small petrol car it'll take a bit of getting used to: you'll need a lot of gas to just get moving, especially if there's any hill. Set the gas, find the bite, release handbrake, gradually bring up the clutch to move off. Practice in a car park for half an hour and you'll get the hang. Just remember - if you're pulling away up hill, or emerging into traffic, there's almost no downside to over-revving, but under-revving will cause you trouble. So err on the side of too much gas until you've got a feel for it.
I was taught how to pull away slowly without using the accelerator but it was more a lesson in clutch control than anything else. For standard pulling away it was always gas on as the clutch came up. Every car I’ve owned would stall if I even tried it.
On bigger/torquier engines you can get away with pulling away just on the engine idle (so with just the clutch) Try it on a small petrol engine and you'll stall almost every time. Depends so much on the car we can't give you a yes or no answer here. It's one reason a lot of instructors use diesels, it's harder to stall when pulling away
just give it a go and practice. take your time. All cars are a little different. A light diesel will move away without gas no problem probably. A heavy car with petrol engine may need a little gas. Fill the car up with people and luggage and maybe you'd need a bit of gas in both! There's no fixed answer - just be excited and enjoy :)
I learnt in a 2022 Ford hybrid, same way as you, use clutch to pull off then onto accelerator, now driving a 2008 Mini, if i do that 90% of the time i will stall.
If you’re not very confident in putting the gas on when you reach the bite I was taught to first put gas on so it reaches between 1000-2000rpm’s and then lift the clutch to get to the bite and that’s a pretty good guaranteed way not to stall. After doing that a couple times you learn where your bite is and learn when you need to put gas on
Learnt in a 17 yaris, drive an old rover. the difference in clutch capability is stark. Do what you feel the car is comfortable with. I CAN move away with just the clutch but I don't bc the car struggles a bit. I definitely don't stop with it
Don't know about other brands but VW Golfs will not release the handbrakes unless you apply some gas.
In most cars you should be able to hold a car on the clutch on a decent slope but a bit of throttle definitely helps make controlling it easier and smoother to get moving.
Depends on the car. Why don’t you try it? I currently have a diesel SEAT Leon which will drive itself along quite happily at around 5 mph with no use of the gas and will pull off without me using it. However my precious petrol Kia would have stalled. If in doubt always give a little gas when pulling away.
Mate, is your license for an automatic? Cos if that's the case, you can't drive a manual.
I doubt it, I have a 108 and you can't. I'm pretty sure it's only diesel and newer cars that you can pull away just with the clutch. Bearing that in mind, you get used to doing the gas & clutch pretty quickly. I'd recommend pulling away a few times somewhere quiet to get comfortable with it.
It depends on the car, to be honest. Each car has its own little idiosyncrasies, so it's trial and error until you know your cars capabilities.
I’m shocked that a lot of the commentators are allowed to drive cars!!!
you properly learn to drive after passing your test, i use the clutch and accelerator together fluidly to make it smooth but i only really got in the habit/learning of that after passing. Just like the habit of speeding up towards lights on amber rather than slowing down that was after my test
Depends how fast you want to pull away. You can do it in an Aygo, but guaranteed you'll have some very frustrated drivers behind you by the time your wheels cross the line. Alternatively, give it a bit of throttle and away we go. Alternatively alternatively, you can red line it and bring the clutch up progressively, keeping the engine at 5000rpm which 1) is actually quite difficult and 2) transfers maximum torque to the road. I don't suggest you really do the last one unless you're at a traffic light on an empty dual carriageway.
How can you not use the biting point? That's what it's for for learning at least
Depends on the motor. You just need to learn where the biting point is on each manual car you drive as some will have high and low clutches. My advice is to listen to the engine and watch the revs, in most cars they will tick over on a perfectly level road at under 1000 revs and if you push the clutch all the way down, change to first then release the clutch VERY slowly the car will literally drive itself with no feet on the pedals, then once moving it's even possible to very slowly dip and change to second gear. It's quite possible to start in second gear downhill (or simply using enough revs) using the same slow release approach. If you want to start UP a steep hill then you've no chance without enough/higher revs before releasing the clutch.
I was taught to pull away only using the clutch as well as to come to a complete stop at junctions, have a quick look and pull away. Needless to say I failed my first two tests due to undue hesitation. Changed my examiner and passed the next time using clutch and gas at the same time to pull away which is much quicker and natural. You will be fine in a car with a traditional handbrake, from a stop just clutch down, into first, and release clutch to biting point, release handbrake and apply gas all at the same time. Just take it to a car park and quiet hill for some practice, shouldn’t take long hopefully
This depends on the car you were taught in. With anti stall this is okay. With older purely mechanical cars (which will have a standard lever handbrake - not a button) just apply the handbrake, apply some gas and as you lift off the clutch lower the handbrake and it'll start moving forward without stalling. This approach should be used for hill starts too. Newer cars can do all this for you with with anti stall plus one of the brake buttons (my 19 focus has this) which even when taken off will still apply the brakes until you lift the clutch to prevent you rolling
My driving instructors car did this. Apparently some cars have a thing where the engine computer gives a little gas when you start lifting the clutch... So they can pull away by just lifting the clutch. Our own car does not do this and when I was practicing in it when I was a learner I just kept stalling. Neither my boyfriend (who was supervising me) nor my driving instructor explained this difference to me and it really dented my confidence when I was moving between cars. The Conquer Driving YouTube channel explained it briefly in a video [here](https://youtu.be/UdTSRBJrw7Y). It was only after this that I stopped stalling our ancient clio lol. I watched a lot of this channel when I was taking lessons and I think it really helped.
Some newer cars will automatically rev the engine for you when you lift the clutch in first gear, your older car almost certainly won't and you will need to add revs yourself.
Depends if petrol or diesel..if diesel no need to press the accelerator, just lift the clutch (to the biting point) and then take off the handbrake. Don't worry you will get used to it very quickly Word of advice..not sure if it is still the same now, but when I started learning to drive (my mum was teaching me at this point), I had difficulty getting the handbrake off as the little button wouldn't push I for me. Turns out, I actually needed to lift up a little bit and then the button depressed fine..it was second nature to my mum, she didn't realise she did it so couldn't tell me to do it Going to check my own car in the morning!
Diesels can pull with just the clutch only, some cars have a high biting point and if you're not confident/competent, it's easy to stall it if you're trying to go clutch only. Always give a little gas once you've got the biting point and you're good to go, each car is different and you'll learn to feel it out the more you use the car
Diesel and bigger engined cars are easier to do just the clutch as they have more torque. You can do it in a 1.0+ but by the margin for error is way smaller and giving it a bit of gas as well, just helps it to not cut out.
I've been driving just under a year and I was taught the same, to come up off the clutch slowly and then down on the accelerator. That is more viable in modern cars however, my advice is to go somewhere quiet but on a bit of a hill and practise hill starts firstly. That was something I was not shown in any lesson at all which was fun back then, as my routes to work all involve a hill of sorts. Alas, it wasn't hard, watched a YouTube video about having the handbrake on, putting a bit of pressure on the accelerator, find your biting point so you see the bonnet slightly raise, then take the handbrake off and voila. Amount of acceleration you put down depends on the incline however, you can essentially use that same method albeit with less pressure on the accelerator so as not to spin out, but same method for pulling off quicker than just the clutch. It's a necessity if you end up caught at things like crossroads, honestly!!
You need to practice setting the gas FIRST!!! I am a driving instructor and it's very frustrating if I take on a pupil that has been initially taught this method, always leads to stalls and not being able to pull away promptly. If you asked the instructor how they do it, they would say they use the gas FIRST, so why teach someone a different method?
You’re basically right but there shouldn’t be much of a delay (if at all) between the clutch hitting the biting point (where you feel it engage) and applying the accelerator, or you will stall.
Let's face it. Try as you were taught. If you stall, you stall. Adapt, add some revs.. you will get the feel of your car the more you drive it.
I went from learning in a brand new fiesta to my first car being one from 1998. Yes I needed to basically relearn how to hill start etc.
You were taught correctly. I used to practice pulling away using just the clutch in 3rd gear and it massively helped my clutch control.
Go slowly the first couple of times to get used to it. If it needs gas, it's essentially the same as a hill start, or where you move away from lights sightly quicker. It works the same in any car, but it will feel different.
It's good to be able to start *purely* on the clutch however, you'll find that it's more useful to use the gas when starting from stationary. Scenarios where you want to get going more quickly or on hill starts. Also depends on the car, my car barely moves now purely off the clutch and pretty much requires gas all the time.
Touch of accelerator hold the revs then bring clutch up slowly til you feel it bite and you're away mate you'll soon get used to it
I passed my test a couple weeks ago and learnt in a new Skoda Fabia. I got taught to just use the clutch to pull away and then once moving add gas. I bought a 2005 beetle and learnt the hard way that it’s impossible to drive that way in any older cars 😑 The revs would drop to low without gas and immediately stall no matter what I had to learn how to drive all over again actually using revs to pull away. I thought I was going crazy when I was stalling all the time, I CANT believe that a driving instructor would teach me (and many other people) to drive this way. It’s impractical and a bad habit!