Hello I'm Chris. In this video I'm going to show you how to drive slowly in traffic using
clutch control. I'll give you some tips so that you won't stall, roll back or move off
in a jerky way. The biting point can vary from car to car and it's important that you
know where it is so that you can find it quickly. Practice with the clutch in a car park to
make sure that you're comfortable with it. You'll know where the biting point is because
the back of the car will dip down and the engine sound will change slightly. I'm in
slow moving traffic, going slightly downhill so I'm not pressing anything but I can see
the bus in front slowing down. I'm braking and now clutch down to stop my self stalling.
They're indicating left but there's no left turn coming up so I think they've left it
on by accident. Now that I'm waiting I'm going to use the handbrake. Now I'll get the get
the gas and the biting point ready. Holding the biting point, lowering the clutch down
slightly to slow down or raising it up to speed up. I'm braking slightly as I can see
the car in front is braking. Clutch down, driving very slowly. Now that I'm waiting,
I'll use the handbrake and go into neutral. I can see the bus is starting to move, back
into 1st, get the biting point. Again lowering the clutch to slow down or raising it to speed
up. It's good to use the gas when moving off as it helps you not stall. Be prepared to
give even more gas if you have extra weight in the car, for example passengers. A common
cause of stalling for new drivers is where they don't give it enough gas when moving
off. So don't be afraid to use it. It doesn't mean that you'll necessarily go faster. It's
common in traffic jams that you might have motor cyclists and cyclists overtaking. Keep
up-to-date with who's around you at all times. I'm keeping my distance so when they start
to brake I'll have a nice slow, smooth approach. Braking lightly and now clutch down so that
I don't stall. Handbrake on and I'll go into neutral. Ready to go. Getting the gas and
the biting point. Holding the biting point so that I can have a nice smooth moving off
motion. I'm not just reacting to the car in front but also the vehicle in front of that
one, the bus. Handbrake on, go into neutral. Now I can rest my feet. Getting ready to move,
clutch down, 1st gear, getting the gas the biting point ready. I'm driving a diesel Ford
Fiesta, if you're driving a petrol car then it's even easier to stall so make sure that
you give a little bit of gas as it can really help you move off without stalling. Handbrake
on and into neutral. Resting my feet. Getting ready to go, clutch down, into 1st gear, setting
the gas and getting the biting point and then handbrake down. Holding onto the biting point,
lowering the clutch down to slow down or raising the clutch to speed up. I don't want to let
go of the clutch too quickly though or I'll stall or move off too fast. Braking lightly,
clutch down. See a sign for road works. Braking very lightly to a nice gently smooth stop.
Keeping my distance from the car in front in case they breakdown or they might roll
backwards. Getting ready to go as I can see the bus starting to move. No hurry to let
go of the clutch here. See traffic lights ahead. Braking very lightly, holding down
the clutch so that I don't stall. It's slightly downhill here, just coming off the brake makes
me move, clutch up to move more or clutch when stopping. Braking really softly for a
nice smooth stop.
I can anticipate when to get ready because I can see the bus starting
to move ahead. Clutch down, into 1st gear, gas and the bite, handbrake down.
Tram crossing
ahead. I have to make sure that I don't stop on the tram track. I'm just going to wait
here. I don't want to get stuck. I need to be able to see the traffic lights.
Certainly wouldn't be a very good idea to stop on this tram track. I'm really waiting to make sure
that I can clear it. Being careful. Seems OK. The yellow sign is showing me that the
central lane is going to be blocked. I'm going to be turning left at the roundabout. So I'm
in the correct lane for this. Whenever you come off gas or brake it's a good idea to
check the interior mirror to see if it's safe to slow down and to see what people are doing
behind. I can hear and see an emergency vehicle coming up on the right hand side. They can
get past me so I'll just stay where I am. I've got the clutch down, I'm in 1st gear.
Got the gas and the biting point, handbrake down. Holding onto the clutch, very slight
movements with the clutch unless you're stopping in which case it would have to go right down
to the floor. Just covering the brake slightly there, ready to stop. Warning sign of traffic
lights. Clutch slowly coming up all the way now. I'm braking lightly, planning ahead.
Clutch is down so that I don't stall. It's good to keep an eye on who's around you at
all times. I can see the van driver on the right, they have their hazard warning lights
on for some reason. Just watching everyone who's around you. Clutch is down, braking
gently. Keeping a little safety distance between me and the car in front. Now I'm waiting,
the handbrake is on and into neutral. I can see the bus is moving again. Getting prepared.
Handbrake on. Getting the bite and gas ready again. Sign showing me to get into lane. And
a warning sign for roundabout. Change of speed limit ahead to 20mph which is very important
if there's workmen around. I've checked my mirrors to the left, signalling left now as
I'm changing into this left hand lane, ready to turn left at the roundabout. Central lane
is closed as the sign showed earlier on. I can see a pedestrian crossing ahead. Braking
slightly, clutch is down as I'm stopping. Just like the tram track earlier on I need
to make sure that I don't stop on this pedestrian crossing either. I can see that I've got enough
space the other side. Bus stop on the left. You can see how I switch from the brake and
the gas quite a lot, this is to help me not stall and to move off smoothly. Especially
checking my mirrors to the left as I move over to the left. Making sure that there's
no cyclists on my left. Handbrake is on. Getting ready to go. Gas and the biting point. I can
see a motorbike coming up in my right hand mirror. A very congested roundabout, I'm turning
left, 1st exit. Won't be many opportunities to get on here. Hopefully another car driver
will let me on. I can't push out as I still have to give way to the right. Handbrake on,
ready to go. Someone has let me out.. "thanks very much". Planning ahead, reading all signs.
See another yellow sign showing me that the left hand lane s going to be closed. The vehicles
in the right hand lane are merging over to my lane, so I'm going to check my mirrors
and blind spot to make sure that no one is overtaking at the last moment. Planning ahead
I can see traffic lights, a yellow box that I mustn't stop in, workmen around, might run
out, going down to 1st gear now, creeping across carefully, I can make it to the other
side. Still a 20mph speed limit. 1st gear. Clutch very slowly comes up. Well that's the
end of our video on clutch control in traffic. I really hope it's been useful, if it has
then please don't forget to subscribe for our latest videos and really appreciate you
watching, really do and stay safe on the road. Take care and see you soon!