Is it bad to have my ankle fully extended forward when pressing the clutch?
 

Hi,

I've been driving a manual transmission for all of 2 weeks and have finally found a comfortable driving position. The problem is, my ankle is extended forward pretty far when fully depressing the clutch.

I've read around on correct seating positions and have found that the ankle should be still when depressing the clutch. Most videos I've seen also reflect this. Unfortunately, if I were to move the seat forward any more, I would have to bend my right ankle [over the brake/accelerator] backwards (uncomfortably) at rest. I also feel that at this position, I have the most control over the clutch pedal at the friction zone (possibly due to the high engagement point?).

I started looking into this because I noticed that sometimes when I shift, the clutch has maybe 0.5 - 1cm of travel left that I'm not using and I don't want to end up unnecessarily damaging anything.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Uhm idk if it's much use to you but I rises my seat so the ball of my feel has a height leverage when depressing the clutch, this allows you to basically sit far or close. If your leg is uncomfortable you slide the seat than use the steering wheel adjuster to match how far you slide back or forward

Could you elaborate on the ball of your feet having a height leverage? I usually raise the height of the seat just enough for it to comfortably support my thighs, but not enough to make it feel like I'm leaning forwards.

Also, I just went on a quick drive and found that one click forward is more comfortable for the clutch, and one click back is more comfortable for the brake and accelerator.

Hmm how to put this..

I slide my seat forward, so when I place my left foot on the clutch without depressing it my thigh are not resting on the seat, when I depress the clutch all the way down my thigh are resting on the seat and when I don't use the clutch I rest it on the dead paddle (helps not riding the clutch) . Mean while my right foot is comfortable with both brake and gas paddle. I pulled the steering wheel outward as I lean my seat backward so I can relax and the wheel is close for maneuvering

I wouldnt leave my foot over the clutch at rest anyway so scoot up a click and put your foot on the dead pedal unless shifting.

Or if you insist go to the diy section and learn how to adjust your clutch pedal so it sits lower

Yeah that's what I basically said about the dead rest. Leaving your foot on the clutch isn't a good habit lol. Adjusting the clutch could work too but seem like a hassle. Try if you will

Sorry, I may have been a unclear. What I meant by at rest was my right foot just barely touching either the break or the accelerator pedal. My clutch movement is like how turtlefeeder described.

However is comfortable to YOU is the right way.

True, but in light of the O.P.'s point that he has a grand total of two weeks' experience driving a manual transmission, the points that some of the other posters made about NOT leaving your left foot on the clutch pedal are pretty important. Set your seat so that your right foot feels good to you on the accelerator and brake pedals, you have the back support and angle you like, and good visibility, then set your steering wheel to what feels best to you with your seat set properly. A good guideline is to put the wheel so that your wrist or the very bottom of your palm rests on the top of the steering wheel with your back against the back of your seat and your arms fully extended.

Note that I didn't say anything about the clutch. Compared to the wheel and the accelerator, you use the clutch relatively little. Keep your foot off the clutch unless you're in the act of changing gears.

I don't track my car, and don't race. I'm sure competition drivers would feel more strongly about an exact placement of the clutch pedal for that extra level of comfort, but even in spirited daily driving, it's really not an issue. The original phrasing of the question makes it sound like your left foot is always touching the clutch pedal, and that's a bad idea. If your left foot is on the dead pedal (the metal resting plate to the left of the clutch, just in case you're not familiar with the term, OP) unless you're in the act of shifting, you'll be comfortable.

Welcome to the world of manual transmissions.. it's a LOT of fun, and, IMHO, gives you one more level of connection to your car.

Best,

Barry

I agree. As long as the clutch gets fully disengaged when shifting AND your ankle feels OK ...... it don't much matter.


humfrz

Don't press it with your hands, because then you'll have a bad day as well as the others around you

Yes, I definable do not keep my foot on the clutch other than to shift. What I was concerned about is that in the position where my brake and gas are most comfortable, my ankle (not on the ground) and my leg has to extend all the way to fully press in the clutch. This leads to there occasionally being about 1 cm of travel that I am not using when changing gears without thinking.

Edit: I just looked at the original post again and read it as if my left foot was resting on the clutch when not in use heh..

I drive barefoot for better feels

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I'm pretty sure it's against the rules but I don't know why.

On a road trip, my shoes don't last an hour.

That includes twisties. :scared0016:

Some of the seating position guides I've seen talk about the position of your knees as being the most important consideration. Your knee should have a slight bend in it when the clutch pedal is pressed all the way down. Do not lock your knee. In an accident a locked knee can cause injury. Adjust your seat with this in mind and then see what will work with your ankle preference.

Essentially, the most comfortable position for everything results in me having to stretch the ball of my feet forward to fully depress the clutch while still maintaining a slight bend in the knee.

Then that is perfect!
I personally would not like that since I am lazy and do not want to have to straighten my leg that much but I am not you.

I try to have as much of my right thigh supported by the seat to reduce pressure on my knee which has had issues for a while. I have found that if I don't lift my leg up as high when pressing the clutch I don't have to stretch my toes out as far forward.

But it's true. I guess the reason why it was difficult to find the "correct" seating position online is because everybody is different.

I was told that bare feet would not allow you to perform an emergency stop because you could not press the pedal hard enough, it would hurt your feet.

But I'm pretty sure that comes from the days when hydraulic brakes were still new fangled, let alone vacuum assist.

I'm with you, my feet get gross if they're cooped up for more than an hour or so. I think I kicked my shoes off about 3 hours into my first desk job and haven't looked back, shoes off at my desk right now.

One of many I don't care about, or comply with.

There's the most comfortable way [YOLO] and the recommended way so that if there is something out of the ordinary, you can make adequate changes.

Should be just a tad bent. About 145 or 150 degree bent.

Mine too! :cheers:

There's actually a good reason for your preference. Consider how you adjust your bicycle seat so your fully extended leg is just slightly bent. That's where your leg has the most mechanical advantage. Imagine having to stand in one place with your legs bent. Your quads would be toast in no time.

I'm a sasquatch so I never get to stretch my legs. :(

Just making sure - make sure your steering wheel is telescoped all the way in. Believe it or not some folks didn't know it telescopes...

This works for me - make sure you slide seat so that ball of your left feet can reach the floor behind the clutch.

The best way is whatever works best for you. Try adjusting things, and you will quickly find out what works best for you, and BINGO, you found the best way. You are the only person who can answer this question grasshopper.

<sigh> ...I will never cease to be amazed at how obsessed so many folks are about (insignificant) intricacies of driving a manual tranny! (Glad my 13 y.o. granddaughter figured it all out in about 2 hours).

The clutch really doesn't care how it gets depressed, so choose whatever position/motion is comfortable for you.

Thus my favorite saying the subject.
"The hardest thing about learning to drive MT is getting over the fear of learning to drive MT".
It is probably the most overthought thing there is nowadays.

Sounds good to me :thumbup:

You don't have to jam it into the floorboard to get the clutch to disengage.
The bite point is way up ^here^.
Only have to press it far enough to get the job done.

So essentially, any movement before the biting point (when releasing the clutch) does absolutely nothing?

It engages the clutch.

And don't ride the clutch, get your foot off of it when not shifting. Wears out your throwout bearing. Keep your foot off when not shifting. Don't sit at lights with your foot on the clutch.

Not that I'd ever do this, but that means if I let out the clutch a couple inches before the biting point, then floor it (car won't be moving), I'm still burning the clutch? -- more of a technical question rather than a practical one

You're fine. Go for it.

Only if it is touching the flywheel. If touching at all though it will burn in a hurry.

He needs to burn it a bit to learn. I know it has been YEARS ago for us. He's on the right track. More seat time and he will be a pro!:thumbup:

Cool, I'll let you know how it goes :bonk:

Hm.. only one way to find out where it starts touching the flywheel...

You do not need to find out while flooring it though.

He will quickly learn to back off:confused0068:

I like the direction of this thread; perhaps we can merge it with the "What you HATE the most on your FR-S/BRZ/GT86/FT86?" thread by having someone burn their clutch till it is slipping really bad and see if the gear indicator is affected!!!:bonk:

LOL!
Oh wait, now Cat will ask "What gear indicator?"