Half linkage refers to a working state of the clutch, in which the clutch plate and flywheel do not have close contact, and the two gently lean against each other, resulting in relative sliding. This is the half linkage state. The reaction from the clutch pedal is that it is not fully released, and the pedal is about halfway loose. Slowly release the clutch, and when it feels engaged, hold the clutch steady. This is called semi clutch, also known as semi linkage.

  When not stepping on the clutch, the pressure plate will tightly press the clutch plate onto the flywheel, and the clutch plate and flywheel are in close contact, and their speed is also the same. When the clutch is fully pressed, the pressure plate no longer applies pressure, the clutch plate and flywheel are completely separated, and the flywheel continues to rotate, leaving the clutch plate in a stationary state. When the clutch is half released and in a semi linked state, the pressure between the clutch plate and the pressure plate is very small, and the two are in a relative sliding state, that is, the speed of the flywheel is greater than the speed of the clutch plate.

Every time the clutch is pressed and then released, there will definitely be a semi linkage time, but the length of this time may not be determined by the driver's operation. The most common application scenario is starting. If the clutch is released too quickly and the half linkage time is too short when starting, the engine will suddenly be impacted by a huge load, and due to the limited torque of the engine, it will not rotate and stall. The clutch slowly releases and there is a certain amount of semi linkage for a certain period of time, which gradually increases the load on the engine. As the wheels start to rotate, the load decreases and the engine can start smoothly. The quality of semi linkage time control can also determine whether the start is smooth. If you are not proficient in driving, as long as the clutch is released slowly enough, you can start smoothly without shaking or stalling. Combined with the throttle, it's perfect. The first step for beginners to drive is to find the clutch engagement point accurately, and to be able to stabilize it, practice more.

 During traffic jams, crawling forward for a short distance, turning at a very low speed, and reversing require the use of semi linkage. Semi linkage can accurately control vehicle speed and maintain stable engine operation without stalling, especially at very low speeds. When I was learning to drive, a student asked, 'Why can't I be so slow and steady when others are driving?'? Because the clutch is completely released after he starts, relying on the brakes to control the speed naturally cannot be so slow and stable.

During semi linkage, due to sliding friction between the clutch plate and the flywheel, the clutch plate will wear a lot. However, as long as the engine speed is not high, the time is not long, and the wear will not be too severe, you don't need to pay too much attention. The primary goal is to maintain the stability and safety of the vehicle, followed by consideration of wear and tear. So for beginners driving, as long as the speed is low, starting on a slope, and reversing, the semi linkage should be used instead of just using the brakes to control the speed, as it is easy to stall.

From: WONDEE Autoparts 2023-10-13