Is this bad for your car?

[Stevi]

Instead of releasing the clutch and accelerating to go forward, if you just slowly release the clutch a little and let the car move forward.

Is this bad for the car in anyway? Can it save petrol as you not using the accelerator as much?

Helps in traffic

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

No, in fact it would create less friction on the clutch plate than releasing while giving it a little gas.

 

[Sinbad]

Yup it's fine, as long as you don't cause the revs to drop too low and the engine to labour.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

As long as you don't let the engine sputter then it's 100%.

You won't get anywhere very fast tho

 

[skinndeep]

Why is it bad to let your engine labour?

 

[me_]

Nothing wrong with it, but you can't do it with all cars. Some cars don't have enough torque. If you get a rental / get a car with a smaller engine, you'll probably stall a lot.

 

[Stevi]

As long as you don't let the engine sputter then it's 100%.

You won't get anywhere very fast tho

Makes sense.
Not planning on only using th clutch to get to work It just helps when you got to creep a few yards forward

 

[Sinbad]

Why is it bad to let your engine labour?

Anything in the vehicle's operation that's not smooth (engine jerks when it labours) places increased stresses on all sorts of things like the drivetrain, bearings, engine mounts etc.

 

[Ryanrpv77]

Instead of releasing the clutch and accelerating to go forward, if you just slowly release the clutch a little and let the car move forward.

Is this bad for the car in anyway? Can it save petrol as you not using the accelerator as much?

Helps in traffic

been driving like this for years ....never had a problem

 

[me_]

Why is it bad to let your engine labour?

Causes shock load which leads to extra wear and tear.

 

[skinndeep]

Anything in the vehicle's operation that's not smooth (engine jerks when it labours) places increased stresses on all sorts of things like the drivetrain, bearings, engine mounts etc.

Okay, that makes sense. Always wondered why it was bad.

 

[PostmanPot]

Helps in traffic

Tremendously! If only everyone could do it, those who sit in traffic could cruise home mostly in first without any changes.

 

[MaxH]

I disagree that it saves fuel. My car indicates Litres used per 100 ks, and when I crawl forward like that I use much fuel than when I use the clutch and accelerator in conjunction.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Essentially dragging your clutch at low RPM.... Not the best Idea if your intention is just to save fuel ... Price a new clutch. Not cheap, definitely not going to compensate by a fuel saving.

 

[IziWhatNow]

Here's another "is it bad" question... On a cold winter's morning, is it better to let your car idle a bit before you drive off, or to just start and drive immediately?

 

[Priapus]

Essentially dragging your clutch at low RPM.... Not the best Idea if your intention is just to save fuel ... Price a new clutch. Not cheap, definitely not going to compensate by a fuel saving.

Disagree with it being bad on the clutch. Fuel savings this way are probably minimal though.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Essentially dragging your clutch at low RPM.... Not the best Idea if your intention is just to save fuel ... Price a new clutch. Not cheap, definitely not going to compensate by a fuel saving.

How does low RPM possibly put more strain on a clutch?

Here's another "is it bad" question... On a cold winter's morning, is it better to let your car idle a bit before you drive off, or to just start and drive immediately?

In a modern car start and drive, unless you want a nice warm heater when you get in.

 

[Priapus]

Here's another "is it bad" question... On a cold winter's morning, is it better to let your car idle a bit before you drive off, or to just start and drive immediately?

Letting it idle is bad. Get in, start and drive - keeping revs low. I.E - don't redline it while its cold.

 

[SykomantiS]

Essentially dragging your clutch at low RPM.... Not the best Idea if your intention is just to save fuel ... Price a new clutch. Not cheap, definitely not going to compensate by a fuel saving.

If you let out the clutch all the way and let the car crawl on its own, you aren't dragging the clutch, which is what I assume OP was referring to. Did this all the time with my diesel Civic. And these Civics are notorious for their chocolate clutches, and I've never had a days problem at all, and I drive 90km per day.

Here's another "is it bad" question... On a cold winter's morning, is it better to let your car idle a bit before you drive off, or to just start and drive immediately?

Ya, the thing about letting it idle is that all the other comonents are still cold when you drive off, like the gearbox and diff. And then people tend to drive harder becasue the car has now been idling and the engine is warm.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

If you let out the clutch all the way and let the car crawl on its own, you aren't dragging the clutch, which is what I assume OP was referring to. Did this all the time with my diesel Civic. And these Civics are notorious for their chocolate clutches, and I've never had a days problem at all, and I drive 90km per day.
.

If that's what he is doing then no problem... hell most cars should be able to gently coast forward without using the accelerator. I could do that with a 1300 mazda back 20yrs ago.