eek! clutch control!

I've just spent two hours learning the fineries of clutch control, an art that is measured by millimeters apparently. The result is that even though I've been driving stick for over 10 years, I now feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. I learned in a very hilly mountain town, so totally understand the need to let the clutch out before accelerating up an incline, but I had no idea it was such a precise thing, that you need to be in this very exact biting point stage before moving forward in any situation. This is making me super nervous, and only a month away from my test! How worried do I need to be about this? Will the examiner mark me off if the engine revs a bit as I pull away, as long as I don't roll back?

I think you need to keep your eye on the revs (and your ears I suppose) but I think that the driving examiners expect new drivers to rev the engine from time to time! When I learned to drive here in the UK biting point was a big deal with driving instructors.

I had a new clutch put in my car in January and driving it home from the garage was a terrifying experience.....talk about revving! Good luck!

Hi there,
Firstly, try and relax! I know that can be easier said than done! You say you've been driving stick for 10 years, so you already know the 'how to'. Clutch Control is what's tested on a Manual gearbox driving test, so it pays to practice and get your skill at it as best as you can. That said, when I was taught to drive, I still remember word for word what my fantastic instructor told and discussed with me.

Think of clutch control as 'power control' as well. The engine makes the power and you, depending on how much you press the clutch in or let it out, control how much power translates into forward (or reverse!) motion. The more you let out, the more power is transferred to motion. On flat ground, do as many standing stops to motion as possible. Each car is different, but that 'biting' point is what you need to get used to. Clutch fully in and the 'power isnt connected' bring the clutch up, and up and you'll feel the 'biting point' - now you know, release the handbrake, give a 'little more gas' and 'control' the clutch a little more and it'll move forwards. Practice that, and perhaps think, 'I'm Controlling the car/clutch/moving forward' Once you get better and better, apply the same technique to the Hill start. You'll basically get to biting point, and will need to add more gas to prevent stalling. The rest will be the same as what you've practiced as on the flat starts.

Another technique thatI used to teach my younger brother and my niece clutch control is to say out loud each and every step as you do them. "Depress clutch, selct first, check mirror, clear? , add a little gas, bring clutch up and up and up, hit biting point, add a little more gas, release handbrake as I control the clutch some more so I get forward motion.

Try it, it may help!

Lastly, relax!!!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Yep, I too drove a standard in the US for years before coming here and had to learn all about the biting point. I didn't really worry about it too much during the test and it seemed to go fine. I never revved or rolled back, and I don't think I was trying too hard to do what my instructor said, it just came naturally. Just do your best, it's all you can do!

Interesting, I thought anyone who already knew how to drive a manual knew about the biting point, I didn't think there was any other way to drive a manual.  Am I missing something

To the OP, do you use the handbrake for hill starts? My instructor told me off for not using it on hill starts (because I was used to the biting point thing), but now that I got in the habit I can't believe I never used it- it makes life so much easier! 
You've been driving for ten years, deep breaths and don't overthink. Control of the car is the main thing and as an experienced driver, you'll be miles ahead of the learners. 

You've been driving for ten years, deep breaths and don't overthink. Control of the car is the main thing and as an experienced driver, you'll be miles ahead of the learners. 

Yep, that's so true. When I took my examiner out for my test, he did mark off minors for not checking my mirrors, etc., but when he handed me my paper, he said he didn't think of that as a huge deal, as to him, not checking my mirrors constantly showed that I was a confident, experienced driver who wasn't as nervous as a beginner would be. So just try to stay confident and do your best. 

Interesting, I thought anyone who already knew how to drive a manual knew about the biting point, I didn't think there was any other way to drive a manual.  Am I missing something

To the OP, do you use the handbrake for hill starts? My instructor told me off for not using it on hill starts (because I was used to the biting point thing), but now that I got in the habit I can't believe I never used it- it makes life so much easier! 
You've been driving for ten years, deep breaths and don't overthink. Control of the car is the main thing and as an experienced driver, you'll be miles ahead of the learners. 

Well, no one taught me to drive manual, I just taught myself, so there were a lot of things I was doing wrong (coasting, etc.) and I never used the hand brake for anything other than parking (I still don't, I didn't have to do a hill start on my test, so I don't know what you mean about this.) However, saying all of this, there are definitely NOT many hills in Dallas, so I never had to worry too much about rollback or hills starts or anything like that. I'm sure if I had been living in San Fran, I would've given these things much more consideration! 

Well, no one taught me to drive manual, I just taught myself, so there were a lot of things I was doing wrong (coasting, etc.) and I never used the hand brake for anything other than parking (I still don't, I didn't have to do a hill start on my test, so I don't know what you mean about this.)

I believe you're definitley not alone Jewlz- the artform of driving a manual is lost in the US, and therefore, no one teaches it anymore. Its amazing any of us even know how to do it anymore!   

Hehehe, I guess that means my dear 'ole Dad taught me well  (but there were lots of nasty hills to start on in my hometown)- Interestingly enough, I had to tell him about the handbrake thing-  Basically, you get the clutch to the bite point- then slowly release the handbrake and you go up the hill effortlessly, without revving the engine or rolling back. My Dad uses that technique now.  Its a bit tricky, but once you get used to it, its the best way, IMHO.        

Basically, you get the clutch to the bite point- then slowly release the handbrake and you go up the hill effortlessly, without revving the engine or rolling back. My Dad uses that technique now.  Its a bit tricky, but once you get used to it, its the best way, IMHO.        

Much better than having your heart in your throat and hoping for the best!  Which is how I taught myself to drive manual back in the US. 

Basically, you get the clutch to the bite point- then slowly release the handbrake and you go up the hill effortlessly, without revving the engine or rolling back. My Dad uses that technique now.  Its a bit tricky, but once you get used to it, its the best way, IMHO.        

Oh, ok. I know how to do that, then. But only thanks to my driving instructor. He made me start that way every single time, whether on a hill or not, so I got pretty used to that method.  Maybe I did actually do a hill start on the test and just didn't think of it that way. There were a few times where he had me just pull up to the kerb and then pull away. I thought he was just seeing if I would check over my shoulder when I pulled away.

Thanks, guys, for your responses! I've kind of collected myself a bit and have since changed instructors to someone much more laid back, who lets me recognise my mistakes and learn from them rather than making a running commentary about everything I'm doing wrong The biting point thing I'm starting to get and actually enjoy...I think it all comes from having no distinction between manual/automatic licences in the US. Like a lot of people I just kind of taught myself and managed hills and so forth by using the gas as much as the clutch. I always had this impression that the two had to be constantly coordinated. kind of disturbing now to realize how clueless I was! My sister's learning to drive a manual now in the US and I've been able to give her a few UK style pointers. Hopefully this will all pan out for the test in just a few weeks