Can someone explain to me slipping the clutch?

When I am reversing or parking i never fully release the clutch... i move it in and out while giving throttle... so am i slipping the clutch in these situations? I think yes...

Now... when I am upshifting (1st to 2nd) I find I get the smoothest shift if I start giving gas before i have fully released the clutch. There is a little "feedback" from the clutch that I can feel when i do this.... a vibration. Is this slipping the clutch?

Any thoughts... i am trying to shift fast and smooth and feel like i am making progress.

 

Sounds like you are slipping the clutch somewhat.
It also sounds like you're riding it as well.

 

you lost me... please more color.

 

"Slipping" is also referred to as "feathering" the clutch.
It is normally used when you want to launch a car "hard".
It is called "slipping" since it feels and simulates a slipping clutch.

"Riding" the clutch is holding the clutch in too long after you have changed gears.
This is sometimes misconstrued as "slipping" while in actual fact it is "riding" the clutch.

I don't know how to explain this any better in words.
If you were local to me, I could demonstrate what I mean.

 

It's never a good idea to hold in the clutch pedal for too long? So it is always better to shift out of gear (neutral) then immediately release the pedal for when you're idling at stop lights and such? I'm also new on sticks, have driven them before, only know the bare bones.

I'm pretty sure there are times when you have no choice but the feather the clutch, like during precision parking, especially while going reverse.

 

insted of giving it gas before you release the clutch in gear ......try to pop the throttel as your pulling it out of one gear so that the revs match perfict when you go to the next gear. that will feel soooo much better and faster! and slipping the clutch at high revs is NEVER a good idea! even if your trying to really launch your car....its better to dump it and fether the GAS not the clutch:D

 

wow i learn more n more everyday

 

So.. ride the torque converter instead of the clutch?

 

WTF?????

 

ride the pall point pen!

 

Torque converters are on automatic transmissions.. Manuals use a clutch..

 

I find that under light, "everyday driving" acceleration when I'm trying for smoothness, that I just don't release the throttle as I shift - the revs don't climb much in the half-second I'm shifting, and it makes me much smoother than if I release the throttle because the revs fall too much doing that.

Starting out, I always just ease the clutch out and smoothly add "gas" as the clutch hits the friction point - no "rev up and go" just motor off ...

 

On the stop light question - yes. It's better to sit in neutral and only shift into gear when you want to move than sit in gear with the clutch depressed. The clutch is essentially holding two plates apart that are under some strain and holding it in a lot may wear some parts out sooner. I was taught not to keep the clutch depressed at lights/stops if it's going to be more than a couple seconds.

Basic explanation of how clutches work helps envision what is happening when riding or 'slipping' the clutch:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch1.htm

 

Ride the white pony!

 

Riding the clutch is also when ur not shifting, holding ur foot lightly on the clutch pedal without pressing it in. It is horrible for ur car becuase u are wearing the clutch all the time without realizing it. So when u shift gears, take ur foot off of the clutch pedal and put it ont he rest pedal. No matter how lightly u think ur putting ur foot on the clutch, you are most likely still riding it more than you think, so try and break that habit if u have it.

 

but in reverse there is really no way to back out with out riding the clutch. The thing flys even with no throttle in reverse with the clutch all the way out.