In the extreme, clutch control is used in performance driving, such as starting from a dead stop with the engine producing maximum torque at high RPM.
As a result, only a fraction of the power from the engine reaches the driveshaft, which is commonly known as half clutch.
[3] Pulling away requires progressively slower engagement of the clutch as the gear increases, and in a high gear it is necessary to engage the clutch slowly to avoid the increased risk of stalling the engine, or, in the case of adverse weather conditions, spinning the wheels.
Typically with motorcycles and in motor sport, the clutch is often used to facilitate the use of resistance from the engine spinning at high speeds to decelerate the vehicle more quickly, often accompanied with normal braking.
When this happens, momentum energy from the inertia of the vehicle is taken away to spin the engine as close as possible to its maximum capability.
As the vehicle is decelerating, the clutch can be further released to transfer more energy to keep the engine spinning as quickly as possible.
Drivers can frequently be observed slipping the clutch when they are trying to stay stationary on a hill without using neutral and the brake.
The alternative to this technique of staying stationary on a hill would be to put the vehicle in neutral and apply the brake.
If the pedal is released quickly, a definite lurch can be felt as the engine and driveshaft re-engage and their speeds equalize.
Such routine slippage causes wear on the clutch analogous to the wear-and-tear on a brake pad when stopping.
This results in the clutch disc slipping against the flywheel and some engine power not being transferred to the drive train and wheels.
While inefficient, most drivers routinely use this technique effectively when driving in reverse (as fully engaging the reverse gear results in velocity too great for the short distance traveled) or in stop-and-go traffic (as it is easier to control the throttle and acceleration at very slow speeds).
While this is not damaging to the car, it increases wear on the clutch release bearing, and can be considered a dangerous way to drive since one forgoes the ability to quickly accelerate if needed.