How to Drive a Manual With a Broken Clutch Pedal

Last Updated: January 2, 2020

Have you ever gotten into your car and started it, only to realize that the clutch pedal is broken? Is the clutch pedal engaged, but unable to be pressed? Not to fear! This article will teach you to drive your car - even with a broken clutch -- if your starter will actuate without pressing the clutch! (Hydraulic clutches will not allow the starter motor to operate and prevents the starter motor from cranking when the clutch has no pressure.)

Steps

1
Avoid ever trying this. This can, and most likely would, damage your gearbox and starter motor.
2
Turn the ignition to "on" position, and unlock the steering wheel and release the brake. Put the car in reverse or first gear. Steer as needed. Turn the key to "start" position and back off quickly — the car will jump a little. Keep doing that until you get out of the parking spot and lined up to drive away.^{[1]
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3
Have the gear stick in first, and turn the key to start the car. It will hop, but it should start.^{[2]
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4
Drive and accelerate as normal.
5
Shift by moving the gear stick out of first and push it into second. It will take a little effort, and will probably grind, but there is a sweet spot where it will just slip in.^{[3]
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- To shift up to the next gear, drive about 500-1000 rpm above the slow speed, and shift it into the next higher gear.^{[4]
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- To downshift, pull it to neutral, out of gear, give it a bit of a rev and slot it into gear. This is much harder than up-shifting, but it is doable.
6
Turn the engine off when you come to a stop.

Community Q&A

Question

Where is the clutch slave cylinder located?

Acyclist

Top Answerer

As a general rule, it is either located in the gearbox itself as part of the release/throwout bearing, or outside the gearbox. If not, your car's handbook should tell you where it is located.
Question

Will a broken clutch affect a car starting?

Community Answer

Yes, the flywheel is what is turned to start the engine, the clutch presses against it to turn the wheels. If the clutch is always pressing against the flywheel or the flywheel is stuck, it will not turn over.
Question

What should I do if the clutch fails in my car when I am driving?

Community Answer

Put the car in neutral, turn on your hazards, and come to a safe stop on the right side of the road if possible. If it's not possible to stop on the right, try to coast in neutral as far as you can with the hazards on.

Warnings

Use this only as a last resort as using the starter motor to move the car will cause excessive wear on the starter motor. Furthermore, incorrect rev matching on gear changes will cause gearbox wear.

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