250 MG Tech | How to Not Destroy Your Clutch the Easy Way

[@TheLastSoundNinja]

santa claus drvies a stick shift when hes not out delivering presents

[@MR2D2AL]

he's not speeding... just flying low.

[@kebab4eva]

Saw this video too late :(

[@FuriousFurricane]

Same haha

[@gabefroh1664]

kebab4eva same

[@priyonjoni]

Taking off, changing gears, AND starting the car.

[@bboyx95]

+Pri yon Joni you dont need to use the clutch when starting the car.. have it in N, theeen start the car

[@priyonjoni]

um

[@connorsmith9987]

Actually, you are incorrect. Some makes and models require the clutch to be fully depressed to start the vehicle. My 91 ranger will not start unless the clutch is fully depressed. Just saying.

[@GrandDukeCaesar]

+Connor Smith dude mine too! '92 Rodeo

[@Ibysjunior]

+Pri yon Joni And stopping the car...

[@rockychessie]

John, You are a true gentleman sharing your time and knowledge for all of us MG enthusiasts. I appreciate every single video you make! It is comforting knowing we have a "guardian angel" looking out for us! Have a great holiday and cheers!

[@danielgalea0]

On P's test's in Australia, you must keep the car in gear when stopped or you fail :/ bullshit

[@tomascontador3312]

Daniel Galea Thats coz Australia is fucked haha idiots in Parliament i drive through Sydney and i always put it in Neutral at a stop light or in Traffic its actually dangerous to have the clutch depressed and the foot on the brake in first gear your left leg can get tired from keeping the clutch down and run the risk of stalling if driving for a long time if im waiting for a long long time i even use the hand brake to relieve pressure from my right foot on the brake

[@spooledyou300]

how do you expect people to start it in neutral when the car wont start unless you have the clutch pushed in

[@jpatt1000]

MGs (and older cars in general) don't have that problem as there are no brake/clutch interlocks with the ignition. You turn the key with the clutch out and the car in gear, the car lurches down the road, so make sure it's in neutral. (I've done this on purpose once when my slave cylinder failed. Not cool, but it got me home.)

[@aaron___6014]

Make an exception

[@benhutcherson8483]

All the folks arguing about this, that and the other need to remember that John is an MG mechanic and while his advice is good in general, some of the things he says are specific to MGs. First of all, the newest US market MG was made in 1980. None have a clutch interlock so all will start without your foot on the clutch. Second, the graphite release bearing is what it is. It doesn't really matter-for purposes of this video-what type of release bearing your car has unless your car happens to be an MG. And thanks, as always John, for giving us good advice and specifics on MG repair. I'm looking forward to your rolling tech sessions at MG2016!

[@mattc3515]

So I have a 99 dodge Dakota and I'm trying to avoid damaging my clutch. If I was to stop at stop signs and lights with my clutch in would that be damaging it?

[@JohnCarey1963Jag]

I will try to remember this lesson! I have always held the clutch pedal down at stop lights but it's obvious that the release bearings will last so much longer if they are not used for idling.

[@billthompson2478]

This technique not only saves your throwout bearing, but saves the crankshaft thrust half-washers on the 1500s too! The less you're on the clutch, the better!

[@connorsmith9987]

Actually, my clutch costs 100 bucks to be changed. It's called "doing it yourself".

[@kyleanderson748]

+Connor Smith Amen

[@benhutcherson8483]

A clutch kit for an MG is $200 at the major suppliers. It's also an engine out job on an MGA or MGB, and it took a friend and I two full days to do it...and it wasn't my friend's first clutch job. That's not counting if you have to buy or borrow an engine hoist and other major tools, plus all the other little things that you should take care of on a 40+ year old car while the engine is out of it.

[@davidgruen7423]

Rick Sabian problem is do you feel confident to let someone do your clutch for only 100?

[@davidgruen7423]

Connor Smith I did it with only 80 bucks, ebay is amazing.

[@TrevorMarty69]

Wait a minute. It'll start in N. with out having the clutch in? Sweet! Thanks dudes. You guys have helped me tons.

[@connorsmith9987]

some cars need the clutch pressed down to start

[@EnjoicoolPanda]

+Trevor Marty That's what I was thinking. Won't I just stall out if it's in neutral, and I release the clutch?

[@Dylesxic]

+EnjoicoolPanda No, there is no load on the engine if your car is in neutral. Some cars generally older ones will start fine in neutral because the engine itself has nothing working against it (the inertia of the non moving car). However some newer cars have a switch that needs to be closed to start the car, this switch is closed when you press the clutch down. In both cases you can start it with the clutch down, but generally only in older cars can you start it without depressing the clutch.

[@GrandDukeCaesar]

+Connor Smith god knows mine does

[@pinkwontons]

GRASSHOPPER will you walk with me????? YES MASTER for you will teach great knowledge.........................................TD10971

[@adek65432]

what do you mean ''taking off"'. my english is not high, i just think start with clutch, change gear, and tell me did i have to put clutch if i stop engine on N?? and if i want to turn left, if i took second gear and start turn steering wheel my car just throw front of me, too much gas? or dont use gas ???

[@ericmorales9146]

Is down shifting necessary? When I need to stop ahead, I put it on neutral and cruze with the speed I have and just use the breaks to stop ahead.

[@shane0294]

I do exactly the same, to be honest that's why I'm on these videos to see if I come across a bad reason not to do it

[@crosstolerance]

Ditto! I downshift all the time and wondering how much stress i'm putting on the throwout bearing:|

[@georules]

I don't bother downshifting. Way easier to change brakes than the parts in the clutch, transmission, engine you'd be using to stop when downshifting.

[@askhowiknow5527]

georules Yes, because downshifting allows you to use the Engine to slow down instead of employing the brakes to do all of the work. Your brakes won't last near as long as someone who downshifts properly.

[@georules]

Yeah, I get that ;) my point is that changing brakes is just not that hard / expensive compared to wear on the engine. So, I don't bother downshifting.

[@EXPIOWA]

100% agree. Also, it is not necessary to depress the clutch to pull a manual transmission out of gear. It will slide out freely when you rev match using the throttle. It saves a cycle every time you don’t push it in. I also don’t let the car push the motor. Downshifting is not necessary where I live. In mountainous areas it is different and sometimes necessary but not here. It puts force the wrong way through the transmission. How is that possibly good for it? It isn’t. Does downshifting really look that cool anyway? Maybe, sometimes. ; ) Don’t make it a habit though. Planning your decelerations with regard to traffic volume and traffic signals can reduce the need to completely stop a lot of the time. A well planned deceleration may only require third gear to recover traveling speed because you never had to come to a full stop. It saved the initial start load on the clutch plus the engagement of going into 1st and 2nd for the trough-out bearing. It saves fuel, break wear, tire tread frictional loading/ wear and may keep you from getting rear ended by Shelly because she refuses to stop texting and never got surprised by a vehicle in front of her stopping rapidly.

[@YoureAMitch]

I'm just gonna do what I want this jsit seems like a pain in the ass and it only costs 100 bucks to fix

[@elegy57]

Is it okay when I keep pressing the clutch in neutral?

[@PuchMaxi]

Nope, it still wears out the throw out bearing all the same.

[@steelhead197]

Graphite release bearing??? Huh??? Who the F makes a graphite Throw out bearing???? Lmao

[@howthefell]

Go into neutal and release the clutch at a stop sign? Really? Why not just clutch in to stop, and... go?

[@Toastmaster_5000]

Seriously, some people here must have the crappiest cars on the planet if you encounter some sort of mechanical problem when not riding the clutch. I'm sure half of you just slowly release the clutch instead of attempting to rev-match too...

[@justinmccabe19]

rev matching is not needed if your rmp/speed is low enough for the next gear.

[@justinadams7382]

I understand this guy knows more than me. But my step dad has never replaced a clutch because he does it right. And he is always on the clutch at stop lights. He has just over 200k miles on his original clutch of his 2006 Mazda speed 6

[@theatreofshadows]

And this guy is a specialist MG mechanic who is referring only to the graphite throw-out bearings found in MG cars of the mid 20th century. Leaving the clutch depressed wears this bearing unnecessarily and replacing this cheap part means taking out a lot of the engine and transmission. So it gets expensive for the sake of putting the car in neutral when you stop, with the handbrake on. In modern cars it's good practice so if something happens to make you move your feet, the car doesn't start moving and cause an accident.

[@redneckon2wheels529]

Holding the clutch in all the way won't burn it up it's the disengaging and engaging that burns it up l have my clutch in during stop and go traffic truck has lasted me 80k miles on the same clutch

[@aaron___6014]

He's talking about the release bearing.

[@mattperez3618]

Best guide on youtube in regard to this topic. Thanks!

[@Noahknowhow]

the 1500 mg has a ball beraring id it still bad to hold in clutch padel at stops

[@michaelzihanzu]

What about when you are driving in a traffic jam?

[@bricegordon64]

other than wishing you drove an automatic? nothing...sit there and hate life I guess. Just bought my first standard in 15 years and drove back in dallas texas traffic....used to it now tho but traffic is hell on manual transmissions

[@davidgruen7423]

Not a big deal, just don’t put it on the clutch pedal when you don’t change gears, it only happens when you habitually rest your foot on the clutch when driving. I remember there was a time that subaru had a few models that had insufficient clearance with the release bearing and they have to recall the cars because of so much failure. But that’s still took a long time before they can even realize the problem. As for stop and go traffic it’s so unnecessary to put in neutral just to save a few seconds of engagement of the clutch, by the time you put in neutral, clutch out, you have to put them in gear again, think what the first gear and second gear synchronizers would think, they are having bad days too!

[@DaveTadlock]

I think I'm feeling the bearing crumble. There is a vibration in the clutch pedal while in neutral and depressing the clutch. Have felt it a couple of times. Car is scheduled to get it in to a shop. Will take your complete lube list, too. With a new clutch I'm having gaskets and seals replaced. Not sure what color to paint the engine. Should the motor mounts be replaced, too? I'm in KC and would like to make it to Fayetteville but not sure I can. I'm a new MGB owner and enjoy your videos.

[@zakkrick]

I bought my used car at 87000 miles in 2009 and I just then changed my clutches and throw out bearings and flywheel this year(2017). The old throw out bearings still looks the same as the new throw out bearings with no wear because it's made of metal. I ride the clutches all the time but it's good to know that you can't ride the clutch.

[@SteveMyBell]

double D clutching is horrid then suddenly it clicks and your off.....but as of right now i hate the crash gear box :)

[@edm9527]

I tell my daughters DAILY !! Do they listen ?

[@dehv]

So is keeping your car in gear with fully pressed clutch an example of 'riding the clutch'?

[@sterndavid82]

yes it is that is riding the clutch

[@TomfromExeter]

Not going to argue with Sir John of Twist BUT. Also handy to depress the clutch when switching off in my experience. It lowers the rpm and prevents run-on.

[@Sohle808]

Just wondering what if you were heading downhill or any way you don't need to step on a the gas pedal? Downshift, let go of clutch... And just let the car roll in gear while break assists .... Would that be the correct way??

[@zack3585]

What about when you’re in stop and go traffic

[@slow6six620]

I ride the clutch into 3rd by the time i lift my foot off in first the engines already at 4k i shift into second im like 90% off the clutch i need to shift again

[@RAE0694]

I have to start my car with my foot on the clutch

[@YoshimiPinkRobot]

thats fine, but when you do make sure you are in neutral. stay on the brake, release the clutch, then press it again and shift into first.

[@dass0137]

you dont have an old MG

[@desertshadow72]

what about when braking? I stall If I don't use the clutch when braking

[@06stiismine]

He stated only when starting and changing gears which makes you wonder, 'how about stopping?' You can brake without the clutch, but if you stop, completely stop, or get too slow in too high a gear, you will stall. Back to what he said, clutch for starting and changing gears. Depress the clutch, change from whatever gear you're in to neutral, and release the clutch. You can now stop using only the brake pedal with no fear of stalling. Hope this helped.

[@southbayla3137]

1500 hell naw rip off

[@benhutcherson8483]

John Twist is the best MG mechanic in the country, if not the world. I don't know what his rates are, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's well north of $100 an hour-he can get that. I've done the clutch in my MG myself. The engine and transmission have to come out. The old flat rate books give 7.5 hours labor for changing an MGB clutch....and for all I know it may be more for an MGA(I haven't checked). A clutch kit(disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing) is around $200 from the major British suppliers, or maybe about $150 if you're getting a wholesale discount. That's not to mention the fact that while the engine is out, there are a lot of other often neglected areas that should be attended to. My clutch swap cost me $400 in parts alone because I added in all of this. If you address the clutch hydraulics at the same time(which also probably need attention), you're adding another $150 in parts at least plus another 2 hours of labor if you replace or rebuild the master cylinder. $1500 is a lot, but JT can get it. My local British specialist quoted me $700 if I supplied the parts, so again that's $1100.

[@shahenbabu5583]

can I press my clutch for long time some time in residential area I don't want to change the gear just push clutch cotinue sacond thanks

[@MGB-learning]

I'm going to show this video to my wife. :)

[@FredMiller]

LMAO! I have had sticks for my entire driving career and am constantly preaching the VERY SAME MESSAGE! You are the bomb! Keep the videos coming!....

[@poitles]

Yeah, we just had to get ours replaced in our Impreza WRX lol... 1700 dollars. Had I known this shit lord

[@cainadkins3985]

Subaruuu

[@poitles]

+cain adkins lol yep, my poor baby I didn't know I was riding the clutch that badly until it fucked up. felt terrible, I'm taking care of her now though

[@TheMotocross4life]

+cashmere Cat I replaced mine for 200 thanks to rock auto for parts and free labor from myself

[@FatalFist]

Being that I am working on learning manual before I make a purchase for a manual car, what about placing the car in park? A lot of people advise putting the car in First Gear with the E-brake is a sure-way to keep the car still should the E-brake fail.

[@aaron___6014]

A lot of people give unnecessary advice.

[@dianasantiago5929]

.

[@aaron___6014]

Diana Santiago He's not talking about the clutch, so you're right that the pedal operation doesn't wear the clutch. Other than that I'm not sure what you're saying.

[@kaihiwatari5797]

Aaron L A lot of people have no clue what advice is necessary and what advice isn't. It would be foolish to leave the car parked with only the park brake and without having the car in gear. Simply park your vehicle in neutral, pull the park brake and release your regular brakes. Be sure that the park brake alone is able to hold the car in position (even if parked on a hill). Then put your car in either a forward moving gear (while the park brake is still on) or reverse and shut the car off while in gear AND with the park brake engaged. In this way, the weight of the car will sit on the park brake and if it should fail the gear will hold it in place. You could endlessly debate on the wear and tear that will be put on the transmission if you do not let the weight rest on the park brake before putting the car in gear but with this method you are playing it safe. Ultimately whichever way you choose to park your car the wear will be irrelevant in comparison to the cost of your vehicles brake failing and slamming into multiple vehicles or a human. Whether you use 1st gear or reverse is entirely dependent on which way your car is face and what sort of incline you are on. The goal is to prohibit the vehicle from moving.

[@lukej6555]

This is a classic MG, so the cost will be more in parts as it's an older car and I bet the clutch is special order. I wouldn't buy a car that's had a replacement clutch, as most people will only get the plate replaced instead of the whole thing. You'll also need your flywheel lapped out or it'll just wear the new clutch plate out on one side in 5,000 miles or so.

[@theatreofshadows]

Actually the parts are far cheaper than modern cars, with excellent availability. They're simpler too. The graphite bearing JT showed is the part that has to be replaced as part of general wear and tear, which costs about £13. Obviously this happens far faster if the clutch is used improperly. The cost is in the engine and clutch having to be removed from the car, the associated labour and possibility of doing 'might as well' tasks while the engine is removed. If the bearing has been so mistreated it's as badly worn as some he showed, then there will have to be clutch replacements too.

[@MaartenvanHeek]

Is this specific to MG? I would go crazy to neutral it at every stop. I just keep the clutch depressed in a manual. But 'riding' the clutch (i.e. always hover the pedal while driving) is a different story.

[@theatreofshadows]

The MGs up to the MGB have the graphite throw-out bearings John Twist showed. If the clutch is held depressed, then the bearing is being worn entirely unnecessarily. It has become second-nature to shift to neutral when stopped for any reason in my MG. Although modern roller bearings are very different, it's good practice to stop in neutral and apply the handbrake. If you're in gear with the clutch depressed at a traffic light and something happened to make you shift your feet, you'd cause an accident that wouldn't occur if you were in neutral with the handbrake on. It's less stressful too. Sitting with the clutch depressed doesn't save any time in stop-start traffic in towns and cities, where JT is discussing people using the clutch wrongly.

[@nosay2930]

In England we call it riding the clutch, you can fail your driving test for doing that here. If you pass your driving test in an automatic, you can only drive an automatic so everyone here learns to drive in a manual change car so they have the choice. It tends not to happen so much, but a few do it.

[@zachmansgarage7133]

My truck doesn't start in neutral

[@michaelrocheole123]

what about going over speed bumps very slowly? my car is not lowered I just like to go easy on my struts when I go over speed bumps. I notice if I want to creep over a speed bump I need to clutch in to the bite point to keep moving or else I will stall but I end up needing to ride the clutch to keep a slow speed. can someone help be with this?

[@Dylesxic]

+Michael Roche if your car has the torque you can shift up to 2nd and be okay without stalling or being too jerky but it depends on the engine, otherwise you can pop it into neutral and roll the car slow enough to be nice to the suspension, but fast enough to not get stuck. If you don't like either of those options then the only one left is what you're doing now. The clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, and throw out bearing are all meant to wear down so don't worry about it, it's natural wear and tear on the car.

[@kevineinheuser8643]

Nice Metal guitar outro! "Don't do this" Da Da Daa na naaaa daaa

[@shriniwasrocks]

I fried my clutch..... Now I am scared to hear price of the repairs xD

[@coolflame18]

most manual cars dont start with out the clutch pressed in.

[@theatreofshadows]

He's talking specifically about MG cars up to 1980. There is no clutch-start connection.

[@mrblowhard2u]

Good advice. This is stated in the owner's manuel. I have been doing this for years. After you do it awhile, it will become a habit. I found out what happens several months after I bought my '73 B, ten years ago. The bearing broke apart and my pressure plate exploded into several pieces. It cost me $1100 at the time to replace the clutch.

[@danarj5713]

will driving car(manual) in neutral bar for gear or clutch?

[@khew1]

my driving instructor always said to start the car with the clutch fully depressed. that was in a diesel Peugeot 206.

[@Ibysjunior]

+K Hewett I always start a car with the clutch in, reason being is some cars won't start without the clutch in

[@justinmccabe19]

most cars will not start if you don't push the clutch in.

[@YoshimiPinkRobot]

Thats true, but make sure the car is in neutral when you do that. and release once it is started. then push the clutch and shift and go.

[@theatreofshadows]

This is a petrol MG(A?) from the 50s-60s with no connection between the brake and the clutch. If you turn the key it will start, unless it's in gear when it will churn forward under the starter motor. So you start it with all feet off all the pedals and the transmission in neutral. And put it in neutral whenever you stop like the man says.

[@ItsRiley3]

Great video. Would love to know your opinion on downshifting

[@jonathan99786]

I just bought the base where the fork and throwout bearing sits on, long story, well I bought it form Moss Europe, it looks great.

[@jesuscamacho6173]

idk about your car but i have to have my foot on the clutch to turn it on.

[@politikzvevo6817]

same

[@noic9326]

same

[@georules]

Some states it's illegal to not have the car in gear when on the road - meaning you must have the clutch depressed at a stop.

[@wallisparnell4464]

What yea…how is that enforced? Really dumb. Do they put a miniature cop under the dash to,watch?

[@MrInvisible2you]

what if I'm on a stop light on a hill? should I be in gear and on the breaking point on the clutch?

[@elliottg4984]

+MrInvisible2you No you should be on the handbrake and off the pedals, until you're going to take off. You can use your brake pedal at a hill stop in conjunction with the handbrake, but it's more of a courtesy so other drivers can see by your brake lights that you're not going anywhere. When you go to take off, it's just like taking off from a flat except you use your handbrake to stop yourself rolling backwards. So you get in gear, get your revs, and back off the clutch. Don't dawdle on the clutch or try to balance the clutch to stop yourself rolling back. Cheers.

[@MrInvisible2you]

so once im ready just get my clutch and gas ready already pressed then slowly let the ebrake down and clutch at the same time and go?

[@elliottg4984]

Yep that's it. Just like a normal take off, except you drop the handbrake when the car 'wants' to go.

[@MrInvisible2you]

thanks so much! lol yeah i always smell my dads clutch everytime i always get done driving it. His Ebrake doesn't work so im always in gear on a hill

[@elliottg4984]

Look up heel & toe hill start. If you can't or don't want to use the hand brake, eg your other hand is busy doing a drive by, you can work brake and accelerator simultaneously with one foot. Not something you would want to do for years though. You definitely want to avoid clutch smell. Only exception is if you're on a race track. ;)

[@shahenbabu5583]

one of the best video for me thanks you sir

[@revomedia1629]

What about downshifting?

[@kyungyang6055]

Thank you for keeping it so simple.

[@John-s8s8q]

Thanks 🙏

[@otto432]

I am a clutch

[@shawndawson7901]

lol@ protestations...

[@moh97gt]

so what do you do in the traffic ??

[@GrandDukeCaesar]

Neutral, with your foot on the brakes.

[@h.peters]

that's what I'll like to know too.

[@Wiredeclipse]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know.

[@shoponline831]

A lot of people use the clutch to prevent a rollback on a hill. Glad I figured out how to do To do this without burning my clutch and without using the parking brake

[@okerogheneomogeroh7789]

how?

[@Skrimitz]

Just gotta know your car honestly. Be able to get the bit point and right revs very fast without panicking and over revving or under revving and stalling.

[@shoponline831]

+Okeroghene Omogeroh by balancing the cloth with the throttle. But that's you will end up wearing out your clutch much faster by doing that

[@shoponline831]

+Skrimitz yeah just have to be fast and rev it a little higher than you would on flat ground

[@williamallison5222]

Should you depress your clutch going into neutral?

[@wallisparnell4464]

When pulling into neutral, just barely let off gas, pull out gear.

[@caution0101]

Great advise sir thank you!

[@benny704]

How about crawling through slow traffic?

[@YoshimiPinkRobot]

Same principle. Most peoples MISTAKE is they lift the clutch just enough for it to bite and then hold it there and gas it or inch forward. DO NOT DO THAT!!!!!!! that wears out the clutch rapidly. Best thing to do is stay off the clutch, leave it in neutral and wait until you have 20 to 30 feet between you and the car ahead, then shift normally into first then move forward with your foot back off the clutch. If traffic stops again, pop it in neutral and use the brake to stop and repeat.

[@jeeps_b2122]

How about clutch control 😂

[@MaxRay16]

is it relatively the same with a motorcycle

[@AltruisticWarrior]

MaxRay16 Not quite. In fact attempting to coast down in neutral can cause some damage too. But yes, you can keep it in neutral at traffic stops but I don't recommend it for saftey reasons. All other principals still apply.

[@loganellis7171]

good man

[@oscarfernandez2437]

Thank you!

[@loganmcguire3980]

Thank you!

[@jonathan99786]

cool info!

[@amefandi44]

skrrt

[@fintim]

Hi John! Thank you for the very clear info how to use the clutch. As you know it is not easy to teach Mg drives or others how use the clutch. That is why ( even you dont like this) I changed the throw out bearing to clutch roller bearing (from Moss UK). It also works fine.

[@Opt1685]

Modern cars use ball-bearing throw out bearings. When the bearing is pressed against the pressure plate, it will spin smoothly. Keeping the foot off the clutch is important for older cars that use this graphite style bearing, because this type of bearing on a pressure plate will cause it to wear down. Riding the clutch is still a bad habit for manual drivers. Plus holding in the clutch will give you a sore leg, especially in stop-go traffic.