I have a 2009 manual trans HHR SS and I noticed today that if I let the clutch out without giving the car any gas that the car will just start moving and wont stall. Is this normal? It will just creep forward like an automatic. It used to just stall if you let the clutch out without giving it any gas.

 

Many manual transmission cars will creep forward in 1st gear if you let the clutch out slowly without giving any gas. It just means the engine makes enough torque at idle to move the car forward on flat ground.

 

I'd only be really worried if it didn't stall when you have it in gear with the brake applied and let the clutch out.

 

The brake applied can stop and stall the car. I live in Michigan and the temps have been getting colder here, so I think that the computer is raising the idle speed in the car to compensate and is allowing me to let the clutch out and go without touching the gas. Let me know if what I am thinking makes sense. The whole thing just seemed really weird to me.

 

Umm... I really don't think the 2.0 makes enough torque at idle to be moving a 3000lb vehicle.

I've heard of it happening plenty in trucks or muscle cars... but not in a FWD 4-banger.

 

If you let the clutch out slowly enough, as to not stall, the car will move out.

That applies to any car!

Jeez, you young folks and manual transmissions!?!

 

Young folks eh?

I'll tell you it does not work with a Cobalt SS. Drove one for 3 years... tried it numerous times. You gotta give it gas or it will stall.

Just speaking from my experiences.

 

I spoke to the dealer over the phone about it and they said it is nothing to worry about. The tech explained it as the colder/more dense air is allowing the car to produce slightly more power. Still seems weird to me though. This is my first manual car but not my first experience with a clutch. Everything I have ever drove has required a little bit of gas to move, including this car up untill I noticed it yesterday.

 

It's idiling just below 1000 rpm after warming up. Never noticed if this was the normal idle speed or not.

 

I thought the clutch was just very "forgiving".