Question about launching

[tmv_televators]

Is it bad for the engine to be bogging slightly while launching? I've been driving a standard for about a month now and am pretty proficient, but I'm still having trouble giving the right amount of gas with how fast I'm letting out the clutch, and it usually ends up in the engine bogging slightly. Is this something I should try to fix or is it not much of a problem? (I drive a 2001 VW Golf with a 2.0L, if that helps.)

[Shadow]

Try varying the speed that you let the clutch pedal up.

[Charles421]

Try varying the speed that you let the clutch pedal up.

I think this is good advice. Go in a parking lot and try it. Repetition helps.

Suggestion: while in the parking lot, take off your shoes and try launching the car with just the clutch. This will tell you the exact point where the clutch grabs.

[Squint]

I think the taking off the shoes part actually can make a huge difference when first learning a car. Feeling the mechanical bits with your feet gives you a much better indication of where the clutch needs to be released to exactly. I find it fun every now and then to drive someplace shoeless just to feel the pedals differently.

[Rope-Pusher]

I think the taking off the shoes part actually can make a huge difference when first learning a car. Feeling the mechanical bits with your feet gives you a much better indication of where the clutch needs to be released to exactly. I find it fun every now and then to drive someplace shoeless just to feel the pedals differently.

Yeah, what he said, except apply it to learning to ride a bike no-handedly by practicing w/o pants.

[watkins]

Unless I have to be wearing closed shoes (boots to work, anything in winter), I wear flip-flops. I always kick them off before I drive. Barefoot is my prefered method, especially when driving more spiritedly.

[Rope-Pusher]

Barefoot is my prefered method, especially when driving more spiritedly.