I was wondering how to properly drive the car without burning or straining the clutch while pulling slowly into a garage. Naturally I have to drive at less than the car's idle speed...slower than if I just completely let go of the clutch...

I was told to press down on the clutch and slowly release to just about the friction point and NOT to release the clutch fully, so the car will travel slower than idle.

Same thing for parallel parking...I cant park at the reverse gear's idle speed, I have to go slower...how do I go slower???

Is the method I am describing of not fully releasing the clutch correct or am I doing some damage?

 

I back into the garage all the time now since I picked up the mazdaspeed front I can't go straight in any more and I have to ride it a little bit. Don't let it all the way out or you'll fly in there, which I wouldn't want to do. Let it out until the power hits the wheels barely and put it back in, more gas, let it out some more, and you just go right in. I guess just try and keep the rpms as close to idle as possible to avoid clutch damage? I woudln't know..

 

My understanding is that you let the clutch out just enough for power to hit the wheels. Since you're operating at a very low RPM under almost no load for a very short amount of time I wouldn't worry about clutch damage. Now if you did that down an entire street for example, you might do some damage.

 

that makes sense...

 

What about braking...what I do is I slow down in the current gear to like 2000 - 1500 rpm, then I press the clutch & shift into neutral, then I release the clutch and apply the brake as necessary to stop...

Is this the correct technique or should I press the clutch and brake to a complete stop before shifting to neutral & releasing the clutch at a red-light?

Or...should I stay in gear while stopped with the clutch pressed?

I appreciate the help..

 

these ways are fine. some people say holding the clutch down is bad, but how else are you supposed to start fast? I don't see why it would matter.
If I'm in a high gear, I downshift through the gears when there's time before going to neutral or holding the clutch down. I also downshift when I go around turns.

Better to just go into neutral or down shift first.