[ec437]

yeah, very WOW.

Alright, the clutch disengages the engine from the rest of the drivetrain so that you change from one gear to the next without damaging the selector mechanism. It is theoretically possible to shift without the clutch, but I won't get into that. You really should understand how a clutch works before I explain anything else, so go to howstuffworks.com and read the article on clutches and the article on manual transmissions.

Alright, done reading those? Ok, so you have to push in the clutch whenever you want to change gears (push in before you move the stick, let out after you move it) and basically whenever you use the brake pedal. You have never seen a true manual without a clutch, because ALL TRUE MANUALS HAVE A CLUTCH. If you think you saw one without, you basically saw an automatic transmission that allows you to override the automatic part of it. Companies such as BMW, however, have begun making transmissions that are not completely manual, but are almost mechanically the same (if not the same as) a fully manual transmission, it is just that a computer controls the clutch and gear selection mechanism instead of you doing it directly. That is why if you buy a new M3 with the SMG transmission, you have paddle shifters and no clutch pedal. I believe that there is no torque converter in that car, correct me if I am wrong. I know the new M5 will be like this. I also think that acura, audi, and possibly subaru have started in this direction as well. Probably some other companies too.