By pressing a car's clutch continuously, for like 10 seconds, one time only, are we causing it more or less 'use damage' compared to pressing and releasing it instantly two times?

Answer 1

(Answer from Quora’s suggested AI Assistant -> Poe)

The act of holding the clutch pedal down continuously for an extended period of time, such as 10 seconds, would generally cause more wear and tear on the clutch system compared to pressing and releasing it quickly two times.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

When the clutch pedal is pressed, it disengages the connection between the engine and the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears. Holding the pedal down for a prolonged period puts constant pressure on the clutch components, including the clutch disc, pressure plate, and release bearing.

In contrast, quickly pressing and releasing the clutch twice only briefly engages and disengages the clutch, minimizing the duration of stress on the components.

The continuous wear from holding the clutch down for 10 seconds can generate more heat and friction within the clutch system, which can lead to accelerated wear and tear over time. This type of extended clutch slippage is generally not recommended and should be avoided as much as possible.

So, in summary, pressing and releasing the clutch instantly two times would be gentler on the clutch system compared to holding it down continuously for 10 seconds. The latter approach is more likely to cause increased "use damage" to the clutch components.