Pedals
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On a manual car there are three foot pedals located on the floor beneath the steering wheel. The accelerator, the brake and the clutch.
The pedal on the right is the accelerator - often referred to as the gas pedal. This is the power pedal. We press this pedal to make the car go faster or help the car maintain speed going up a hill. We release the pedal to slow down.
With the engine switched off, press the pedal right the way down to the floor with your right foot. Release it again. It should feel easy and smooth to press.
The accelerator should be pressed gently and progressively, not stamped on. Only use the right foot.
Pressing the gas pedal
The middle pedal is the brake. This pedal is used to slow and stop the car. It operates on all four wheels.
Press the pedal with your right foot. It should feel firmer than the gas pedal and won’t travel right to the floor. If it does travel right to the floor, don’t drive the car - this means the brakes aren’t working!
As with the gas pedal, only use your right foot to operate the brake. Use it progressively and gently. Never stamp on the brake pedal. Remember the brake pedal also operates the brake lights and other vehicles will respond to your actions, so there are times you will deliberately rest your foot lightly on the pedal to inform others of your actions. There are also times you will avoid unnecessary use of the pedal in case the lights alarm other drivers.
Click here to find out about brake control
Pressing the brake pedal
The pedal on the left is the clutch. This pedal needs to be pressed to the floor when changing gear. Many pupils fear the clutch and claim to have problems with it but, once mastered, it is your best friend for controlling the car at slow speed. It is merely a matter of practice, practice, practice.
When the clutch is up, the engine is connected to the wheels. When the clutch is down, the engine is disconnected from the wheels. In later lessons you will learn why this is important.
Press the pedal down to the floor with your left foot. It should feel similar but a little stiffer than the gas pedal. The clutch is pressed down quickly, and released slowly. Don’t drive with your left foot resting on the clutch pedal as it will cause excessive wear and cause the engine to rev harder than it needs to.
Click here to find out about clutch control
