"Now we become an expert at timing lights." Riding a motorcycle helps one to master this skill as well.

Clutch? We dont need no stinkin' clutch!

Back in the mid 70's, my buddies 64 VW beetle broke the clutch cable. He drove it like that for 2 years. The engine died before he "got around to it"! On more than one occasion, he borrowed my car and left me with his beetle. The first time he borrowed my car, he hadn't even mentioned it was broken...

I lost my clutch during an open track day at Thunderhill near Willows, CA. I didn't want to pay for a flatbed, so I drove the 150 miles home with no clutch. This included many, many miles of stop-and-go Sunday evening freeway traffic on I-80. Not to mention driving through town. I got pretty good at rev match shifting, but stalling and restarting the engine when freeway traffic stopped or for a red light was always a pain. But the most anxiety came from driving up my sloped driveway too fast and stopping before I crashed into the back of my garage.

when I was 18, I had a clutch wire go out on my first car Golf mk3. I was about 15km away from home, called my dad and he told me some simple instructions: shift gears at around 2500rpm, if you need to downshift - you need to revmatch it. And to start driving you need to turn ignition whilst in 1st gear and just press on throttle to start moving... it was awkward but it worked.

It's called floating the gears in big trucks aka 18 wheelers u only use the clutch to stop and go after that lightly pull it out of gear and put it in next highest gear.

Being able to drive a manual without a clutch is something I learned to do when I was much younger with quite a few old bangers I used to drive. It's definitely a useful skill and has saved me more than a few times

I bought a motorcycle this guy I knew had many years ago and it had two broken things. The kick stand and the clutch didn't work. He owned it several years and always push started it and shifted without the clutch because it was a dirt bike and he didn't have a kick stand. Anyway I thought it would need a new clutch, a kick stand and possibly a kick starter. I took it home and installed a cluch cable and it worked like a champ. I can't believe he leaned it up against something and push started it every time just because it needed a clutch cable. The kick starter worked perfectly. I guess he just wasn't very mechanically inclined.

I had a 1988 Ford Ranger that I had to drive around San Diego, Ca for about 6 months without a clutch. I even pulled a trailer like this a couple times. I pulled the transmission 6-8 times trying to figure out what was wrong with the slave cylinder, but it wasn’t until I had a buddy with me to look at the slave cylinder while I pushed the clutch. It turned out to be a missing o-ring where the hydraulic line went into the cylinder. But I did get really good at driving without a clutch and removing and installing a transmission in an 88 Ford Ranger. LOL

I did this in my youth while driving a delivery van, just for fun. You quickly learn to avoid crunching noises by matching speeds.These days I always drive a manual change car and always use the clutch but also match speeds to give the synchros an easier (longer) life.

Lost my clutch back in 1973 in my '66 GTO w/4 speed. Drove it for months until I had the money to replace the clutch. Just couldn't drag race. Piece of cake! Easy as pie!

Hello from India! I stumbled across a similar technique 20 years ago; our chauffeur showed me how to change gears without the clutch by timing your gas input/cut-off to the gentle-but-firm pressure on the gear, and you can slip into the next gear rather satisfyingly. It blew my mind. In later years, I discovered this - accidentally - on my motorcycle, too. Now I regularly practise this skill; it’s wonderful to feel one with the machine in this subtle art :) I’m writing, however, because you completed the information loop for me all these years later. Now, I have a guideline for starting the car without the clutch, too - though the circumstances are different (I suspect mine is unlikely to come apart while engaged). If I ever run into this situation, it will be quite the hero’s rescue for whoever needs the help. Thanks man, you made my day!

The cable on my 87 Mustang collapsed on the freeway and luckily I was able to get it off the road and almost back to work. Had my wife bring me a jack, stands, my tools and a new cable I ordered from the dealer and got it back running in about 30 minutes! 😂 Great video Scott!

Years ago, I owned a 1987 Ford F150 with the manual trans. I can 100% verify that the firewall does in fact fatigue and crack in such a way that working the clutch becomes a task meant for the incredible hulk. There was a repair reinforcement plate that corrected the problem. I don't recall if it was a Ford part or aftermarket, but it did the trick.

Semi? No cluch? No problem! *if you don’t get it, it’s because some semis done have synchros, meaning they can shift without the cluch*

in 67 I was in HS. Had a 59 Impala bubble top. It was a 348 Powerglide when I bought it. I decided it needed a manual trans so I found and swapped in a 3 speed with a Hurst Synchrolock. One day on my way home from school the ball stud snapped off in the block. I drove it home exactly the way you demonstrated. Replacing the ball stud was a lot simpler than a hydraulic throwout bearing.

The memories this brings back on multiple cars and trucks that I have owned over the years. LOL Nice car Scott! I hope that all is going good for you!

can't wait for you to get a new shop! I had a S10 with a 4 speed manual. a spring in the clutch disk broke and wouldn't let it disengage. I learned real quick how to drive it without the clutch. I miss that little truck.

Reminds me of the time my friend and I were 100 miles from home when his corvette got stuck in third gear. Not as anxiety inducing as the clutch not disengaging but still made for an interesting ride back. About 75 miles of that ride were highway. We were in right lane going 50 with the engine screaming getting all kinds of strange looks from other drivers. Didn’t help that his corvette had flowmaster mufflers…

Thank you for the tutorial. I know how to shift without a clutch, but always wondered about a dead stop. You have completed my manual arsenal!

I remember many years back.. the 80s.. borrowing a Lancia from a car dealer friend as I needed to make a 30 mile trip to somewhere south of London.. all suburban driving..multiple roundabouts, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings etc.. the clutch cable broke as I was beginning the return trip.. I managed the drive back, carefully adjusting speed when approaching slow or stalled traffic, matching the engine revs changing up and down.. made it back feeling quite proud of myself :>)

Been a long time since I've had to do that, thanks for sharing.

I did this so much when I was kid. Drove all over San Diego until I could afford replacing it, myself. Cheers, Scott, From The second land of rust and corruption (Utah)

Once tried this in my 1998 Škoda Felicia, you get the hang of it suprisingly fast.

Great video Scott and nice to see your GXP!

I had an 85 Mustang GT where the clutch fork decided to snap at a traffic light. The process was the same except when you were stopped, putting it in 1st gear it was the starter that propelled the car until the engine actually started. Fortunately, the starter was strong and so was the battery. Otherwise, everything else was as you demonstrated.

Oh good memories. Drove my son's 99 Accord 5 speed home from Lexington KY. About 90 miles mostly highway. Planned for mostly right hand turns. Forced it into 2nd too hard a few times, so after fixed (slave cylinder) made a little grind shifting to 2nd, but barely noticeable. I might have run a few red lights

1970's Vegas had firewall metal fatigue as well....

Nice tutorial on the clutch diagnostics.just keep doing what you do best.great little video.😎😎😎👍👍👍

My frs clutch fork snapped a few weeks ago. I'm so happy I practiced floating gears in my project car prior. It's definitely easier than I thought, including the down shifts

I don’t get this. He starts the car with clutch pedal depressed and moves out slowly just like a normal clutch. Wouldn’t it be the starter that moves the car forward until it starts?

I learned of this trick from someone I worked with in the 90s and tried it myself and it works.

Always, always amazed. Surprised, not a bit. 😊

Wow that thing sounds so good. Makes me want to get one

I already knew this and I've had to do it more than once. I was excited to watch the video just to see the G8 and I would love to see a video of you fixing the clutch issue but first you need to fix your garage issue.

Thanks for the video Scott.

1960 Land Rover (tinny) had a great transmission with really good syncromesh. I learned to drive it as a 14 year old without the clutch except starts and reverse. 🇦🇺

Really digging your videos, keep it real!

My first car was a manual. The clutch died randomly while I was on my way to work one day, and I had to do exactly what you demonstrated in this video except that I had figure everything out myself, in the moment, in the middle of rush hour. I got it to a shop and they replaced the line and slave cylinder.

Finally found someone with luck like mine! Love those GXP's by the way.

That car sounds wonderful 😊

Been shifting the gears in the manual transmission vehicles I have owned without using the clutch for more them 40 years. Learned how to do from a truck driver that had a brand new International Cab over back in the 1970s.

I've had a clutch go on two cars. It's a matter of driving very delicately to make it home. I fixed one car, but the other one we retired.

Learned something new today great video 👍

Speed shifted my 65 VW when the clutch spring broke for about 6 months. A skill everyone should have

Another advantage of living in rural nowhere. My town doesn't even have a single stop light. You figure out how the stop signs are, and you can get anywhere, including in and out of town, with only hitting one of them. When limping broken shit back home or to town, it is extremely good knowledge.

I had this same issue happen to me with a Mazda B2600 I had when I lived in Alaska. Clutch failed in the engaged state and had to do the same thing to get it home. Luckily, it was only about a three mile drive and I never got over 3rd gear. Unfortunately, that was the end of the road for me with that truck. I gave it to a friend who ended up fixing it and driving it for a while longer.

Nice Video Dude Manual Transmissions are Amazing🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘

Good lord did this bring back the memories of driving my 1976 Chevette with a broken clutch! Nothing like Chicago rush hour stop n go traffic without a clutch. I fixed it........eventually. What can I say, I was a poor teenager. Damn clutch was only 3 years old.......freakin GM!

That car is one of the reasons I subscribed.

That car sounds amazing.

I was messing around once in my Subaru WRX after watching a video about Colin McRae and his driving style (one foot gas the other brake) and forgot to hit my clutch and inadvertently did a perfect gear change with no clutch. No grinding or catching at all, a perfect smooth transition from 1st to 2nd. At first I thought it was just incredibly lucky wizardry, but as I learned more about transmission works with a standard gearbox, I realized that while I was absolutely lucky, it wasn't wizardry after all. And screw the haters, if there's no one around to hit, pin that throttle

Thanks for the tips Scott. That car looks very much like a Holden Commodore that the Aussies drive.

Wanted one of those G8’s so bad when they were new but we were still in the minivan stage. 1980’s Nissans were guilty of firewall cracking around the clutch cable too

Don't know about the Pontiac, but I had a Chevy Cavalier that the clutch went out on it back when I was young and poor. Hydraulic clutch, 1 piece plastic hydraulic assembly, dealership only part. Dealer wanted more for the part than the car was worth. I drove it clutch free for about 6 months until the head gasket let go. Same method you used.

I used to do the same with my 74 CJ Jeep. It had locking hubs for the 4 wheel drive. I would lock the hubs and if I needed 4 or 2 wheel drive I would take my foot off the gas and push in the clutch so I was coasting and then I could slide in or out of 4 wheel drive.

I remember my mother driving without the clutch when I was a kid. Fast forward 25yrs, my bother drove a rig, and rarely used the clutch.

I used to do this all the time, just for fun, I have had several transmissions go bad with gears crashing during shifts. I learned by watching videos on rebuilding manual transmissions, that this practice actually wears out the syncros! after only several thousand miles, your transmission will be worn out from pressure on the shifter. This kind of shifting is only for emergencies, Using the clutch makes the syncs only slow down the gears, with no clutch, you have the weight of the entire drivetrain to slow down and mesh the gears. I learned the hard way, I hope you learn from my mistake!

Back in the day when I worked for a car hire company, I had to do this several times recovering vehicles. Once the car was parked on a sloping car park facing uphill. No way I could start it in first gear uphill, but fortunately the car park was empty, so I started in reverse and did a u-turn until I was backing back up the hill, Disengaged reverse gear, and waited for the car to stop and start to roll forward then slipped it into first. No problem.

Had a summer job working on a 65 Ford milk delivery truck, that is where I learned no clutch shifting, one difference were the hills around here could kill a starter going up.

Been there done that. Back in the 1980s. Actually I may have found myself in two different cars, a 1950s L15 Citroen and a 1960s Triumph Herald, the latter a British car and the former British-assembled. Both cars had manual chokes. This is useful for keeping revs up. My concern was the starting so I chose a route that would avoid stopping on an uphill, or even flat. The trick is having sufficient power to start and move the car in gear. On yet another occasion I found myself in the middle of nowhere with no clutch. My girlfriend and I had spent the night in the car, a Falcon (Australian XT) station wagon (estate) and woke to the problem. I had no tool kit with me. But I did have a three inch adjustable wrench on my keyring and a teaspoon (don't remember why). Fluid was down in the clutch master cylinder. I spooned fluid from brake master cylinder to clutch master and bled with my little crescent. That got me mobile enough to go buy some more fluid. Staring a car with no clutch and driving in what was effectively a soggy paddock (field) was not an option on that occasion.

I had to do this long time ago in my crappy Dacia. (there was a time when nobody knew those cars, before Top Gear, though mine was the old old one, a Renault 12 clone). Those were days when poverty teaches you to be a good driver! And a mechanic! When I was doing it, the starter would move the car, and when (or if) it started it would lunge ahead with all of 40hp lol. This brought back memories. Also reminded me of pushing a car for 20miles. This was no little Renaul, but a Pontiac Grand Prix. Me and three buddies pushed it to this shop with a lift. Ive been reminiscing lately....sorry for that. Hope the new shop is coming along.

Nice car Scott, built in my home state of South Australia. Hope the issue isn't too complicated.

Happy Wednesday, Scott!🍻

I used to drive a Freightliner Tractor and I used to shifter the 18 speed manual transmission exactly how you described how you’re doing your car. Nothing was wrong with my clutch, the older drivers taught us that. I think they called that “floating.” That was over 30 years ago, so I may have the terminology wrong. It was fun though.

Learned that back in 1967, my dad's 67 Chevy wagon had a 3 speed on the column.

I figured this out by accident once then every time id drive id just do it for the fun to show my mates it was possible amd got quite good at it then later on in a different car when i was 80ks from home the slave went and thats when i had to put all my practice into use, i was just lucky the only red light i came to was on a downhill so i could slowly let the car roll forward in nuetral until i was able to get into first gear

Very helpful video considering I didn't know this was possible, and own a car known for the clutch dying

Tried this in my old manual car sometimes. If you have a feel for your car its not that hard to do. I miss my stickshift, as the rs3 i wanted and drive now only comes with a dct. But its very common on bikes or at least its similar. Because its a sequential and the drivetrain interia is lower you can pretension the shifter. Once you let of the throttle its gonne diengange and snap into next gear. Or just a blip on downshifts. Clutchless shifting is very satisfying

I had to go through this on a road trip once and drove it just like that home. From reno Nevada to Phoenix Arizona. Felt like It looked a bit weird at gas stations where I had to back out before I went forward on occasion.

I saw a YT video of someone shifting without using the clutch and i called BS until the day before i knew i was trading my Lancer in for an Si..... Tried it out and never doubted Scotty again.

A long time ago I had an 83 Hyundai Pony 5 speed. Was a cheap but fun little car. The clutch cable snapped (after getting other work done... go figure) and I drove it like in your video for about a year before I finally got it fixed.

Excellent video 😊

My dad taught me to do this before I got my license. His '63 F100 (292, 3/tree) was the classroom. It's come in handy.

when the clutch went on my mr2... that was fun. 40 miles on clutch. luckily night time traffic was light

This man can drive any auto on the road! I laugh at people that discount the importance of familiarity with 3 pedals.

Back in the sixties I learned how to do this on my motorcycle (BSA Super Bantam), when my clutch became stuck a couple of hundred miles from home. Since the bike was lacking an electric starter getting moving from stationary was a bit awkward, much easier downhill. Once the clutch was fixed I often only used it for stopping and starting.

Yep. Had to do this with a 1500 Dodge. Good video.

Once you get to know your vehicle it's easy, I had a rusty 96 Cavalier, I figured out the sweet spots and drove clutchless quite often, I also had an even rustier Canadian Cavalier Z22 5-speed I drove for 2 years with no brakes, summer and winter, rain or snow.

I drive almost daily my peugeot 106 without using the clutch (i only use it from stop in 1st since it's not broken). But i use revmatching for downshift, it's way more convenient and once learned you can easily do heel-toe (or you also learn left foot braking)

Ah, a G8. Underappreciated, love them!

WOW...even the garage doors rust out in Illinois. I had the main seal on the clutch master fail on a 74 Datsun PU, puked fluid all over my shoes just as I was pulling into my jobs parking lot. Got a buddy to drive me to get parts at lunch and after work I replaced it and pumped and bled it enough to work...another lesson to always carry a few tools!

I always liked the look of the G8 hope its an easy fix.

Growing up in the 80s I had to drive without a clutch a couple times but zero effect at the pedal so I was glad the car didn't have the clutch safety switch. I also broke a shift lever and was stuck in 3rd gear and another car that was stuck in 1st gear on the way to my sisters wedding I was standing up in so no fixing it in a tux. Fun times

My father had a 91 Civic for almost 400k miles. Still the original clutch because he shifted like this all the time. I never could master it on either my 48 Plymouth or 55 Dodge truck but i chalked it up to column shift and mechanical linkages

Rev matching. Nice to see. But in 3 cars and 25 years I have never experienced a clutch failure. My last car I purchased new (2006 BMW 325i) and when I sold it in 2021 with over 200,000 miles, it was still running the original clutch with no issues.

You forgot to mention the other reason for shifting without the clutch, it's really fun and allows you to feel really cool about yourself! And lets be honest, we all like to feel like we're cool once in a while, and not just when our moms tell us we are LOL

You really surprised (and honestly impressed) me with that technique, only few will master the manual transmission like that

LOL, back in the early 1980's the clutch cable in 71 volvo broke, drove it for a month like that, couldn't afford to fix it. i got really good at starting, reversing and shifting, transmission went on for another 5 years after that, i didn't hurt it all. i shifted a big truck with a twin stick 5 by 4 for several years without using the clutch

I drove a car the whole way across Australia (3500kms) using this trick, it works.

I do this once in a while in my Sand-rail just for fun. Mendeola transmission doesn’t love it, nor do FWD’s (aka 94’ civic back in the day)!

I had a 65 Falcon that would drop the linkage quite frequently. It's easy when you need to do it and have done it a few times. :D

Start in gear (if you can jump out the safety). Then rev slightly past the shift point. Put gentle pressure towards the next gear. Let the rpms drop slowly, continuing the pressure. My truck would "suck it" into the next gear when the rpm was right.

Been there done that. My luck is the same as yours. What I find particularly amusing about all this is that most people these days can't drive a manual to begin with.

Scott you always keep it interesting! Hope all is well in your life now.

God the G8’s are so beautiful, omggg

Nice to have an emergency technique. I can drive a stick, but don't currently have any in my fleet. Still-information to file away just in case. I'd certainly appreciate seeing the fix.

My old Datsun used to blow clutch slaves a lot due to the seals not being engineered for the hot desert asphalt where I live, so I got used to fixing them AND driving without a clutch (plus fading breaks because they shared the same master).

Ran all the way from Chicago with my Peterbilt broke clutch pedal loaded back to Ct to unload . That Pontiac sounds friggin healthy. 👍🤣👍 Oh and my 87 super duty roll off had firewall failure … ford sells a reinforcement bracket 😮

I can attest that this works. Bought vehicle a couple weeks ago whose clutch pedal died 1.5mi after I bought. You just have to be careful about the habit of clutch/brake combo at startup. It's a prime example of why I sought out a manual rather than an idiotbox. :)