Newbie question about slow driving (like backing up)

[Tokoro]

I'm pretty new to manual cars and i was wondering if slipping the clutch was the only way to really back up and park in tight situations. If there is another more clutch-friendly way, please enlighten me. :?

[vtluu]

The (stock) clutch is designed to slip for this very purpose. You won't smoke it unless you let it slip that way for a long time, or slip it while revving pretty high (trust me, I know :oops:). For example, you shouldn't slip your clutch to hold your position while "stopped" at a light on a hill. And if you're stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, leave a bit more distance in front of you so you can have a little room to roll, clutch fully engaged, in the appropriate gear (might be 1st or 2nd depending how slow things are moving) without having to hit the brakes or feather the clutch.

[methods4]

I'm pretty new to manual cars and i was wondering if slipping the clutch was the only way to really back up and park in tight situations. If there is another more clutch-friendly way, please enlighten me. :?

Here's a more clutch-friendly approach:

1. Find parking spot.
2. Pull up so you're in front of it.
3. Turn car off.
4. Leave the gear shifter thingy (it's stick with a leather wrapped ball thingy on top of it) in the middle so it's not in a gear. It should be able to move freely from left to right.
5. Do NOT remove the key from ignition! You'll see why in step 7.
6. Look for traffic behind you first. Then open driver side door.
7. Stick your left foot out and use it to push your car back into the space while steering.
8. Use your right foot to apply the brake (pedal in the MIDDLE!) accordingly.
9. Wash.
10. Rinse.
11. Repeat.

:shock:

[vtluu]

I wouldn't take "clutch-friendliness" tips from a guy who has quarter-mile times in his sig. :nana:

[methods4]

I wouldn't take "clutch-friendliness" tips from a guy who has quarter-mile times in his sig. :nana:

I still have my original clutch in at 43k miles thank-you-very-much!

:P

[vtluu]

Do you seriously push your car when you parallel-park it?

[methods4]

Do you seriously push your car when you parallel-park it?

I push my car whenever I park or back out/pull in to the driveway. I push my car for the first 60ft when I go drag racing too. This clutch is going to last me foreverrrrrrrrrr!!!1!!11!!!! :homer:

[Tokoro]

I love the accurate and practical advice I get. I'm gonna go get extra grippy shoes now. 8)

[oct7th1987]

sorry.. new to stick shift. feel sorry for my evo huh? what does "slip" mean?

[DJMic0]

Sorry I'm new to this, define slipping for me someone...

[midEVO]

Sorry I'm new to this, define slipping for me someone...slipping is when your clutch is not fully grabbing. if you only let your clutch out a little bit and your rpms can still rev pretty freely but you are still moving forward, thats because your clutch is slipping. i hope that helps...

[Heshan]

Psh. Using your foot to park the car? I have my own personal team of highly specialized midgets (or as they prefer to be called "vertically challenged peoples") who push and pull my car to park it. I wouldn't want to waste any energy I could spend sitting on my a** watching TV. :D

[Heshan]

Hmmm... Now where am I gonna find some midgets to pay off to take a picture of them pushing my car.... :lol: