The Primary Function Of The Clutch

Before the car starts, it is natural to start the engine first. When the car starts, the car gradually accelerates from a completely stationary state. If the drivetrain (which connects the entire car) is rigidly connected with the engine, as soon as the transmission is put into gear, the car will suddenly rush forward, but it will not start. This is because when the car is stationary to forward, it has a large inertia, which causes a lot of resistance torque to the engine. Under the action of this inertial resistance torque, the engine drops sharply below the minimum stable speed (generally 300-500RPM) in an instantaneous time, and the engine stalls and cannot work, of course, the car cannot start.

Therefore, we need the help of the clutch. After the engine starts, before the car starts, the driver first presses the clutch pedal, separates the clutch, disengages the engine and the drivetrain, then engages the transmission in gear, and then gradually releases the clutch pedal so that the clutch is gradually engaged. During the engagement process, the resistance torque of the engine gradually increases, so the accelerator pedal should be gradually pressed at the same time, that is, the fuel supply to the engine should be gradually increased, so that the speed of the engine is always kept at the minimum stable speed without stalling. At the same time, due to the gradual increase of clutch engagement tightness, the torque transmitted by the engine to the driving wheels through the drive train gradually increases, and when the traction force is sufficient to overcome the starting resistance, the car starts to move from standstill and gradually accelerates.