What happens when a clutch is released?

When the clutch is released, the release bearing is pushing against the spring fingers of the pressure plate. This action disengages the clutch by allowing the pressure plate to relax. The release bearing, often connected to the clutch pedal mechanism, pushes against the spring fingers, which in turn disengages the clutch disc from the flywheel. This separation allows the engine to run independently of the transmission, enabling gear changes without the risk of grinding.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately describe what occurs during clutch release. For example, when the clutch is released, the pressure plate springs are not expanded; rather, they are allowed to relax and disengage from the clutch disc. Option A also misrepresents the action that takes place since the release bearing must indeed be pushing against the spring fingers to achieve proper disengagement. Therefore, the correct assertion hinges on the fact that the release bearing’s role is crucial in the disengagement process.