Heds wrote:
Hi,

I wonder if you could help settle an argument between my wife and I
(at least this one is related to cars!).

She drives with her left foot covering the clutch and says that she
was taught this technique as the correct way to drive and it helps her
if she needs to stop quickly.

I on the other hand say that if you need to stop quickly it is the
brake pedal she should be worrying about and that her left foot should
be flat on the floor or on the purpose built foot rest, unless she is
in the process of changing gear.

She insists that her foot is not on the clutch and just above it so is
hovering and therefore not causing the clutch any problems.

If anyone could help settle this friendly discussion I would be most
grateful. Especially if I could be proved right :-)

thanks
H Phillips


I wouldn't say it was wrong as long as she doesn't touch the clutch BUT
hovering her foot there will tire the leg and when she comes to use it,
her leg muscle won't be very efficient.

Also, the clutch doesn't help her stop quickly, it stops the engine
stalling if you do an emergency stop. You can stop quite successfully
without pressing the clutch at all.

Furthermore (and this is a very weak point ;-) ) it could be said that
in the milliseconds it takes you to move your foot from accelerator to
brake, the engine provides a tiny amount of engine braking helping stop
- which is removed if you bang down the clutch instantly.



Anyway, don't worry about winning too much, as the lack of sex will soon
'change your mind' if you won.