Clutch modulation at catch point - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

will.c · 01-05-2012, 04:54 PM

Hey fellow manual drivers, just out of curiosity...

I just met a girl who drives a Hyundai Santa Fe (SUV) with 5sp, and noticed how she does not even touch the floorboard while she's engaging the clutch including catch point. I thought it was very interesting cuz when I do it, I modulate the clutch while pivoting against my heel touching the floorboard, then immediately after catch point I let the foot off into the air completely. I asked her why, and she simply said she never even considered it cuz she was too short to reach anyway. Yet the catch point was impressively smooth. (Well, I realize that it's a soft, heavy car with worn out clutch, but still for a girl... you know?)

So... I was wondering, how many people:
1) pivot against the floorboard with the heel; or
2) do not touch the floorboard entirely; or
3) other???

vwong · 01-05-2012, 05:32 PM

2

Was taught that way and have been doing this for 20+ years of MT driving.

GaryS · 01-05-2012, 07:33 PM

2

will.c · 01-05-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwong

2

Was taught that way and have been doing this for 20+ years of MT driving.

Hmm interesting. So is that the "right" way to do it? I will def give it a try and see how that feels.

e90pilot · 01-05-2012, 09:16 PM

There is no right or wrong way. I used pivot on the floorboard with my Civic because it was so light with a really short throw. The subsequent cars have either had a heavy clutch or a really long throw.

redlinedbimmer · 01-06-2012, 09:24 AM

1

TwinSnails · 01-06-2012, 10:48 AM

1

will.c · 01-06-2012, 12:10 PM

Ah HA! My fellow #1's. haha

The HACK · 01-07-2012, 10:54 AM

So what is the question? Where you "pivot" your foot on the clutch or how far you go past the engagement point?

I pivot my ankle on the floorboard in first gear. Every subsequent shift, be it up or down, foot off of the floor.

will.c · 01-08-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

So what is the question? Where you "pivot" your foot on the clutch or how far you go past the engagement point?

I pivot my ankle on the floorboard in first gear. Every subsequent shift, be it up or down, foot off of the floor.

The question was whether you "pivot" your left foot or not, and you answered it; only in first gear.

01-05-2012, 04:54 PM	#1
will.c Lieutenant Drives: E46M Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 405 iTrader: (4)	Clutch modulation at catch point Hey fellow manual drivers, just out of curiosity... I just met a girl who drives a Hyundai Santa Fe (SUV) with 5sp, and noticed how she does not even touch the floorboard while she's engaging the clutch including catch point. I thought it was very interesting cuz when I do it, I modulate the clutch while pivoting against my heel touching the floorboard, then immediately after catch point I let the foot off into the air completely. I asked her why, and she simply said she never even considered it cuz she was too short to reach anyway. Yet the catch point was impressively smooth. (Well, I realize that it's a soft, heavy car with worn out clutch, but still for a girl... you know?) So... I was wondering, how many people: 1) pivot against the floorboard with the heel; or 2) do not touch the floorboard entirely; or 3) other???
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01-05-2012, 05:32 PM	#2
vwong Lieutenant Drives: All Euro Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 561 iTrader: (2)	2 Was taught that way and have been doing this for 20+ years of MT driving. __________________ 2009 BMW 335i Coupe, Alpine White, Black Dakota leather, 6MT 2010 Audi S4, Ibis White, Magma Red/Black Silk Nappa leather, 6MT

01-05-2012, 09:16 PM	#5
e90pilot Freight Dawg Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 1,983 iTrader: (3)	There is no right or wrong way. I used pivot on the floorboard with my Civic because it was so light with a really short throw. The subsequent cars have either had a heavy clutch or a really long throw. __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Racing Brake 2-piece rotors Click here for review!

01-06-2012, 10:48 AM	#7
TwinSnails First Lieutenant Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 321 iTrader: (9)	1 __________________ E90 - JB4 - Alufelgen CSL - MSport Rear - M3 Front

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01-05-2012, 07:33 PM	#3
GaryS Colonel Drives: 2009 135i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,081 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i [3.25]	2

01-06-2012, 09:24 AM	#6
redlinedbimmer Private First Class Drives: 2008 328i 6 speed Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 195 iTrader: (0)	1

01-06-2012, 12:10 PM	#8
will.c Lieutenant Drives: E46M Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 405 iTrader: (4)	Ah HA! My fellow #1's. haha