Step on gas right after release clutch on Echo?

[sifan]

When I test drove a manual 2000 Toyota Echo, the owner instructed me to step on the accelerator right after my left foot let go the clutch pedal. It felt kind of odd because I always have to modulate the clutch release with the accelerator while driving my 1995 Toyota Tercel. I read a car review on a Porsche sport car that the driver simply step on the accelerator immediately upon the release of clutch. I though there should be some free play at the clutch pedal for modulation. I felt like driving with an automatic transmission.

For those who experienced with manual Echo, please provide your feedback? Thanks.

 

[dishdude]

I'd say the clutch is slipping so badly you can drive it like an auto!

 

[gathermewool]

Every clutch is different, and needs a little more or less feathering. If what you're saying is that the PO is slipping the clutch excessively by hitting the gas before it's fully engaged, then he's definitely causing excessive wear.

The clutch should engage smoothly and quickly, no matter the car. The only situations where more is needed is for aggressive starts or up-hill starts, which really, if done correctly, don't cause excessive wear if you're not doing it all the time, giving the clutch time to cool.

 

[JHZR2]

I dont get it... Youre saying let the clutch out all the way, it idle, then hit the gas like the moment there is no pressure on the clutch pedal?

Does not make sense to me at least...

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I dont get it... Youre saying let the clutch out all the way, it idle, then hit the gas like the moment there is no pressure on the clutch pedal?

Does not make sense to me at least...


That's what I was thinking. It's an Echo, not a semi tractor!

 

[fdcg27]

With any stick, avoid excessive clutch slipping, and let your left foot and the butt dino be your guide.
It may be that the OM for your Toylet (sorry, couldn't resist) is a bad translation, or was written in Japanglish.
It does happen.
Anyway, one doesn't ease the clutch in at idle and then hit the gas.
Anyone who drives a stick regularly knows that.

 

[sifan]

I meant that the clutch was engaged immediately by applying gas at the moment of clutch pedal release. The whole process was so smooth that the engine did not complain of any sort and I could not feel that the clutch engagement.

Maybe I have never driven a modern manual car. My father taught me to release the clutch pedal and apply gas gently to feel the clutch engagement, and then accelerate. The experience I had with this 2000 Echo was completely different. Since it has 98k miles on the ODO with the original clutch, I do not know if the clutch is slipping or this is the correct way of operating this car. Hence, my question posted here.

Maybe I should go to car dealers and test drive new manual cars.

 

[Vikas]

What it means that if the road is level and the engine has enough torque at idle speed, you can release the clutch slowly in 1st gear without having to touch the gas pedal. I routinely do that in the Maxima. I can get it rolling and then give the gas. The key is to release the clutch gently otherwise it will stall.

- Vikas

 

[demarpaint]

Try testing the clutch to see if it slips. It's a little tougher to do with engines that produce low torque, but worth a try. Get her up to about 30 mph, toss it into high gear release the clutch and floor it, keep an eye on the tach. If it revs up the clutch is slipping. It's told me on several test drives of used cars over the years if the clutch was good or not. In your case you might want to try the test in 4th gear.

 

[The_Jeff]

Maybe the idle speed control is compensating, especially if you let the clutch out slowly enough.

Also we get a lot of clutches with wierd little hydraulic collector reservoirs to slow down rapid pedal movements. To make the cars easier to drive or something.

 

[sifan]

I understand that to reduce the clutch wear is to engage the clutch as soon as possible with as little feathering as possible. Even with little feathering, don't you feel the clutch being engaged with your butt?

What I meant by driving the manual 2000 Echo like driving an automatic transmission is that I did not feel any clutch engagement as I shifted from 1st to 4th gear. The whole gear shifting process was so smooth. Even on a car equipped with an automatic transmission, you will feel the gear change from your pant.

The 2000 Echo is not equipped with a tach; so, I can't verify if the clutch was slipping.

 

[demarpaint]

It is a lot easier to detect slippage with a tach. You have a few options:

1. Hook up a mechanics tach and test as mentioned above.

2. Do the test I mentioned and listen for an increase in engine speed. That will be much harder if the clutch is just beginning to slip.

3. Continue to drive, you'll know when the clutch is really bad.

 

[bullwinkle]

If it's like my wife's xB (same engine/transmission combo)-they are VERY easy to stall-but I would find a hill & lug it (a little) & see if engine speed increases without corresponding speed increase to see if the clutch might be failing.

 

[mechtech2]

Drive normally unless you have a good reason not to.

I realize some cars are drive by wire throttle, brakes, steering, and clutch now.

But giving it a little gas while you ease the clutch out is a sure bet.

 

[NateDN10]

To answer your question, no, that's not normal for a modern manual transmission car - the only exception I can think of is what Vikas said.