I haven't driven many car models, but mine moves slowly when in gear without pushing the accelerator, so when moving into a tight space I just regulate the speed by varying pressure on the brake pedal. So no moving between pedals at all.
I've had some manuals that can do this, but my civic cannot do this. IDK if it's because it has a lawn mower for an engine, or just because it was 11 years old when I first got it.
Apparently that's how you test if your clutch is still good. I did this by accident once too and was like "oh whoops...guess my clutch is doing alright" (nobody around luckily)
That's not exactly true. There's a small subset of cars that either have a weak reverse gear (need a little gas to move) or have a "luxury" setting where the car doesn't move till you hit the gas (Mercedes). Not that I can tell that either of these are the case of this video.
I’m guessing this guy is one of those maniacs who drives with one foot on the brake, one foot on the gas, in an automatic transmission car. Once your brain goes into panic mode (like after you fuck up two cars trying to parallel park, then try to pull across 4 lanes of traffic), both feet might slam down in an effort to a) stop, and b) brace for impact.
If you have an automatic transmission, only use one fucking foot on the pedals.
It's a bit more complicated with manual cause if you release the clutch too fast without throttling the car would stall in 1st gear (lets say if your trying to park). If your car doesn't stall like this then your clutch is worn out already.
However if you find the sweet spot of the clutch and keep it then you can slowly move forward without stalling.
Technically speaking it can't be good but it's only for a couple of seconds and clutches aren't that weak.
However, as i partially live in asia and i'm using that technique all the time to slowly squeeze between cars at very VERY low speed (mostly in 2nd gear), it toasted my clutch only after a couple of years (the clutch was 10 years old but it would have lasted another 10 years normally).
But again i was using it all the time (big bike in Bangkok), i've been driving cars also for 20 years never toasted a clutch that way, or just never toasted any car clutch at all.
It's the other way around for me, i've been driving manuals all my life, but as i've already spend 10 years in Bangkok i totally understand why people would want to ride an automatic. I only own motorcycles over there, but if i had a drive a car i'd be sick to drive a manual, you'll be switching gears every 2 seconds in traffic (i don't mind doing that on a bike cause it's fun, but on a car ....)
I had to google CVTs, weird, kind of single speed automatics, mmm i didn't even knew it was a thing, but i really don't know much about automatic transmission.
Broadly speaking yes. However some clutches have no issues at all with this. Remember You aren't really riding the clutch to full speed you are only doing it a bit moving maybe a couple dozen feet like that at a time and at low rpm.
For example my old car was an 03 Mazda 3. That clutch was near indestructible and for the 10 years I had it I rode that clutch a lot and it never ever burned out or failed. I did it even on uphill starts or going uphill at stop and trafic lights when your moving forward just a bit.
Same with an 02 Ford focus that I drove for work. I taught a couple of coworkers how drive manual in that thing and the clutch was never a problem.
Really once a person finds the sweet spot in their clutch reliably it should be no problem.
Yes it is I drive manual cars and when you have the clutch right at the engagement point it coasts just like an automatic car. There is no need to use the gas when moving this slow in a manual or automatic cars. And as for electric cars I know tesla's have a coast setting where if you take your foot off the brake it coasts
Uh yeah you can coast in manuals, but you should always give it a little bit of gas when you let go of the clutch so the RPMs don’t drop too low. It’s not really a smooth ride otherwise.
And besides, when you’re trying to park you need the gas pedal anyway unless the parking spot is level and straight with no bumps because otherwise your engine’s just gonna stall.
Well I am not sure what cars you are driving but I have experience in very old manuals and very very new manuals and every car I've driven you can coast pretty easily and smoothly unless it's like a very severe uphill than obviously you can't but that's the same in automatic. It only will stall if you let go of the clutch too much
I drive 3 cars regularly, 2016, 2003 and a 2010 work van. All of them manuals.
It’s easier with some newer manuals, that’s true. But on older manuals the RPMs will drop too much, even when it’s not a steep incline.
Maybe I’m just too impatient but letting go of the clutch in such a way that the car moves smoothly without using the gas pedal would take way too much time when you’re trying to park for example.
It’s much easier, smoother and faster (obviously) when you give it a little bit of gas.
Correct. When in neutral and/or clutch pushed in on flat ground car will just sit there. You can just kinda nudge it by slipping the clutch and keeping your right foot on the brake for small adjustments. May take a little practice to do it naturally.
Edit: I got to add, in a road as flat as this, the slightest momentum will move you without needing to go for the accelerator at all, justworking your way with clutch and brakes.
Actually, if you drive manual, and I'm pretty sure also if you drive an automatic, to parallel park it's better to not even touch the accelerator at all. If it's a manual, you can focus on the clutch and brakes, and if it's automatic it'll take care of the clutch...
Yeah, that's true. But I've parallel parked an '87 VW Beetle and it didn't need any gas... Granted it was a level road and the car itself is in quite a pristine condition
I believe that could be because the Beetle is a relatively small car and older cars are generally lighter. But if you have a heavier old petrol car with a weak engine it's really no bueno xD
I was genuinely considering mentioning that older American cars might not fit my narrative as they seem more solid compared to older European cars (especially eastern European)
Hell, my 08 Xterra idles at like 4-500 when it should be 6-750 and I'll have to give it a little blip of the gas. I need to do my spark plugs but I don't want to take out half my air system to do it.
Also don’t practice in a tiny spot on the highway. Seriously I consider myself to be pretty good at parallel parking and would never try in this situation.
I am learning to drive, I cannot parallel park, this makes me fear I'd end up doing something like this.
[deleted] 644 points · Sep 2020
Don't floor the gas pedal while parking and you'll be fine.
pavilionhp_ 181 points · Sep 2020
I was going to say, this guy might’ve been going for the brakes but hit the gas instead
kinda_guilty 182 points · Sep 2020
I haven't driven many car models, but mine moves slowly when in gear without pushing the accelerator, so when moving into a tight space I just regulate the speed by varying pressure on the brake pedal. So no moving between pedals at all.
ColourfulFunctor 166 points · Sep 2020
Pretty sure all automatics work this way and that’s the smart way to park
elcaballero 74 points · Sep 2020
You can even do this in a manual by modulating the clutch instead of the brake!
Brief_Conclusion_622 24 points · Sep 2020
Exactly! Surprised this is so far down
ptabduction 10 points · Sep 2020
Because most Americans drive automatic.
MicaLovesKPOP 1 points · Sep 2020
I mean... needless to say much?
But then I guess a lot of reddit isn't used to manuals so maybe it's less obvious then I think
[deleted] -1 points · Sep 2020
It's not good to do that often though, it's hard on the clutch isn't it?
onenifty 1 points · Sep 2020
No. It's what it's made for. It's not for long each time anyway.
Vitnage 3 points · Sep 2020
My driving instructor always told me that if you fully release the clutch when parking you have already fucked up even if you didn't hit anything.
Kightsbridge 2 points · Sep 2020
I've had some manuals that can do this, but my civic cannot do this. IDK if it's because it has a lawn mower for an engine, or just because it was 11 years old when I first got it.
[deleted] 4 points · Sep 2020
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[deleted] 3 points · Sep 2020
I had a diesel that could even do it in second gear. I once even tried to do it in third gear (just for fun) and I also succeeded.
[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2020
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Wizla 4 points · Sep 2020
I did this during a driving test before. Didn’t pass that time around.
natureofyour_reality 1 points · Sep 2020
Apparently that's how you test if your clutch is still good. I did this by accident once too and was like "oh whoops...guess my clutch is doing alright" (nobody around luckily)
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Jman1750 1 points · Sep 2020
It's torque. You can do this in a civic but you have to rev the engine a little and then let the clutch out slowly
Revelatus 1 points · Sep 2020
Unless you drive a zero torque rx8 like me
Dansk72 17 points · Sep 2020
The thinking man's way to park!
Penguin_Of_Interest 2 points · Sep 2020
That's not exactly true. There's a small subset of cars that either have a weak reverse gear (need a little gas to move) or have a "luxury" setting where the car doesn't move till you hit the gas (Mercedes). Not that I can tell that either of these are the case of this video.
ColourfulFunctor 1 points · Sep 2020
Cheers, I’ve never driven either of those types of cars. I’m right in the middle ground of never driving extremely strong or weak cars.
TobyInHR 8 points · Sep 2020
I’m guessing this guy is one of those maniacs who drives with one foot on the brake, one foot on the gas, in an automatic transmission car. Once your brain goes into panic mode (like after you fuck up two cars trying to parallel park, then try to pull across 4 lanes of traffic), both feet might slam down in an effort to a) stop, and b) brace for impact.
If you have an automatic transmission, only use one fucking foot on the pedals.
[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2020
Walt Jr. hates this comment, but he loves breakfast.
TobyInHR 1 points · Sep 2020
His inheritance will pay for those fancy steering wheel controls.
ItsTimeToFinishThis 1 points · Sep 2020
Breakfast?
[deleted] 0 points · Sep 2020
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TobyInHR 2 points · Sep 2020
That’s fair. Professionals in non-standard cars can follow different rules. But for the other 99%, one foot.
LoneRanger9 23 points · Sep 2020
All cars do that. Well I don't know about electric.
Siri0usly 9 points · Sep 2020
Some do, but they have to be made to.
Tyow 15 points · Sep 2020
I don’t believe that’s a manual thing
[deleted] 6 points · Sep 2020
It's a bit more complicated with manual cause if you release the clutch too fast without throttling the car would stall in 1st gear (lets say if your trying to park). If your car doesn't stall like this then your clutch is worn out already.
However if you find the sweet spot of the clutch and keep it then you can slowly move forward without stalling.
Anally_Distressed 1 points · Sep 2020
Isn't it bad to ride the clutch
[deleted] 5 points · Sep 2020
Technically speaking it can't be good but it's only for a couple of seconds and clutches aren't that weak.
However, as i partially live in asia and i'm using that technique all the time to slowly squeeze between cars at very VERY low speed (mostly in 2nd gear), it toasted my clutch only after a couple of years (the clutch was 10 years old but it would have lasted another 10 years normally).
But again i was using it all the time (big bike in Bangkok), i've been driving cars also for 20 years never toasted a clutch that way, or just never toasted any car clutch at all.
Anally_Distressed 3 points · Sep 2020
Haha I'm obviously not an expert on the subject but I've always wanted to own a manual. They're great fun.
We get nothing but slush boxes or worse, CVTs.
[deleted] 2 points · Sep 2020
ha !
It's the other way around for me, i've been driving manuals all my life, but as i've already spend 10 years in Bangkok i totally understand why people would want to ride an automatic. I only own motorcycles over there, but if i had a drive a car i'd be sick to drive a manual, you'll be switching gears every 2 seconds in traffic (i don't mind doing that on a bike cause it's fun, but on a car ....)
I had to google CVTs, weird, kind of single speed automatics, mmm i didn't even knew it was a thing, but i really don't know much about automatic transmission.
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zwiebelhans 3 points · Sep 2020
Broadly speaking yes. However some clutches have no issues at all with this. Remember You aren't really riding the clutch to full speed you are only doing it a bit moving maybe a couple dozen feet like that at a time and at low rpm.
For example my old car was an 03 Mazda 3. That clutch was near indestructible and for the 10 years I had it I rode that clutch a lot and it never ever burned out or failed. I did it even on uphill starts or going uphill at stop and trafic lights when your moving forward just a bit.
Same with an 02 Ford focus that I drove for work. I taught a couple of coworkers how drive manual in that thing and the clutch was never a problem.
Really once a person finds the sweet spot in their clutch reliably it should be no problem.
MEMeMAsheaN 7 points · Sep 2020
Yes it is I drive manual cars and when you have the clutch right at the engagement point it coasts just like an automatic car. There is no need to use the gas when moving this slow in a manual or automatic cars. And as for electric cars I know tesla's have a coast setting where if you take your foot off the brake it coasts
[deleted] 4 points · Sep 2020
Uh yeah you can coast in manuals, but you should always give it a little bit of gas when you let go of the clutch so the RPMs don’t drop too low. It’s not really a smooth ride otherwise.
And besides, when you’re trying to park you need the gas pedal anyway unless the parking spot is level and straight with no bumps because otherwise your engine’s just gonna stall.
MEMeMAsheaN 2 points · Sep 2020
Well I am not sure what cars you are driving but I have experience in very old manuals and very very new manuals and every car I've driven you can coast pretty easily and smoothly unless it's like a very severe uphill than obviously you can't but that's the same in automatic. It only will stall if you let go of the clutch too much
[deleted] 2 points · Sep 2020
I drive 3 cars regularly, 2016, 2003 and a 2010 work van. All of them manuals.
It’s easier with some newer manuals, that’s true. But on older manuals the RPMs will drop too much, even when it’s not a steep incline.
Maybe I’m just too impatient but letting go of the clutch in such a way that the car moves smoothly without using the gas pedal would take way too much time when you’re trying to park for example.
It’s much easier, smoother and faster (obviously) when you give it a little bit of gas.
DoomRobotsFromSpace 1 points · Sep 2020
Correct. When in neutral and/or clutch pushed in on flat ground car will just sit there. You can just kinda nudge it by slipping the clutch and keeping your right foot on the brake for small adjustments. May take a little practice to do it naturally.
Colorona -3 points · Sep 2020
Yes it is.
Sohcahtoa82 1 points · Sep 2020
Depends on the car.
In a Tesla, you can choose to have it creep or not.
rathat 2 points · Sep 2020
Maneuvering thrusters
odvioustroll 2 points · Sep 2020
if you watch the brake lights you'd see the car doesn't move immediately when he lets off the brakes. he's obviously driving a stick.
BirdsSmellGood 2 points · Sep 2020
That's literally how you're supposed to park, what country are you living in where it's the norm to press the accelerator while parking??
kinda_guilty 1 points · Sep 2020
Yeah, that's how everyone around me parks. I was commenting on the guy in the video.
The_Mexigore 1 points · Sep 2020
Maybe you know, they have a manual car.
Edit: I got to add, in a road as flat as this, the slightest momentum will move you without needing to go for the accelerator at all, justworking your way with clutch and brakes.
kfajdsl 2 points · Sep 2020
Idk maybe parking lots on extreme inclines is normal in other places, but I've never parked anywhere that needed more than just the clutch and brakes
[deleted] 16 points · Sep 2020
Why would your foot ever leave the brake while parking? Most cars can hit like 5mph without the gas
RyuuKamii 7 points · Sep 2020
parking on an incline? most vehicles don't have the power to do that up hills.
cpMetis 2 points · Sep 2020
Depends. Is this a perfectly flat area?
I'd say probably half or so the times I'm parking I need the accelerator to move. Depends on the surface and how the car's feeling at the moment.
pavilionhp_ 2 points · Sep 2020
Maybe they had to gas a bit on a hill?
Jman1750 1 points · Sep 2020
You have a manual
ACharmlessMan 3 points · Sep 2020
Two footing it like Walt Jr.
gHHqdm5a4UySnUFM 2 points · Sep 2020
Yeah it’s definitely pedal confusion.
LegitosaurusRex 2 points · Sep 2020
But how do you then shift into drive and floor it again??
ColdPorridge 2 points · Sep 2020
This is what got me. They had to put the brake on to shift gears, then let off it and floor it again.
Gareth321 1 points · Sep 2020
Do they sometimes switch around the gas and brake pedals? How could anyone confuse these pedals?
pavilionhp_ 2 points · Sep 2020
Nope, pretty sure they’re required to have it in a specific order per country
LeftSeater777 10 points · Sep 2020
Actually, if you drive manual, and I'm pretty sure also if you drive an automatic, to parallel park it's better to not even touch the accelerator at all. If it's a manual, you can focus on the clutch and brakes, and if it's automatic it'll take care of the clutch...
[deleted] 15 points · Sep 2020
Unfortunately in older petrol cars you still have to add a little gas otherwise you're gonna most likely stall the engine
LeftSeater777 3 points · Sep 2020
Yeah, that's true. But I've parallel parked an '87 VW Beetle and it didn't need any gas... Granted it was a level road and the car itself is in quite a pristine condition
[deleted] 3 points · Sep 2020
I believe that could be because the Beetle is a relatively small car and older cars are generally lighter. But if you have a heavier old petrol car with a weak engine it's really no bueno xD
LeftSeater777 2 points · Sep 2020
Makes sense, never thought of it like this...
[deleted] 0 points · Sep 2020
Older cars are lighter?? What are you smoking dude?
Ghawblin 4 points · Sep 2020
1971 VW Beetle: 1700lbs curb weight.
2019 VW Beetle: 3000lbs curb weight.
1970 Dodge Challenger: 3800lbs curb weight.
2014 Dodge Challenger: 3800-4200lbs curb weight.
1970 Ford F250: 4000lbs curb weight.
2018 Ford F250: 5800-6700lbs curb weight.
1965 Ford Mustang: 2600lbs curb weight
2014 Ford Mustang: 3500lbs curb weight
u/dave369 "Old cars are generally lighter" checks out.
I picked models off the top of my head that exist today and 50 years ago for accurate comparison.
[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2020
I was genuinely considering mentioning that older American cars might not fit my narrative as they seem more solid compared to older European cars (especially eastern European)
[deleted] 3 points · Sep 2020
Just look at crash tests of older cars compared to modern cars. Most old cars were basically made out of paper.
Ghawblin 2 points · Sep 2020
I own a 1971 Beetle.
If I got in a serious crash, game over. It literally doesn't have a frame. It's an empty soda can on wheels.
[deleted] 2 points · Sep 2020
Dang, you're right. I never would have guessed that the steel bodies were less than the plastic ones + all the junk that's been added over the years.
Jman1750 2 points · Sep 2020
It's all about safety regulations. Newer cars have to meet a standard and it makes them heavy
The_Mexigore 2 points · Sep 2020
This
[deleted] 2 points · Sep 2020
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[deleted] 2 points · Sep 2020
My clutch control is still not the best so maybe if I try that while the car is empty and there are no passengers it should technically work.
barukatang 1 points · Sep 2020
Hell, my 08 Xterra idles at like 4-500 when it should be 6-750 and I'll have to give it a little blip of the gas. I need to do my spark plugs but I don't want to take out half my air system to do it.
oh_no_the_claw 3 points · Sep 2020
On a flat road like this you don't even need to depress the gas pedal to move. Just calmly ease into the spot. Foot should be on the brake.
DisastrousMammoth 2 points · Sep 2020
Floor it?
[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2020
This is exactly what happened in the video.
[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2020
I drive stick and my worst fear is my leg getting tired and just letting go of the clutch or slipping and it just jumps forward.
hasn't happened in the .... jesus christ it's been almost 20 fucking years. where did time go?
FourEcho 1 points · Sep 2020
Actually, unless you have to, don't touch the gas pedal at all. Let your idle speed carry you to where you need to go and only touch the break.
JudiciousF 1 points · Sep 2020
Also don’t practice in a tiny spot on the highway. Seriously I consider myself to be pretty good at parallel parking and would never try in this situation.