Manual Stick Shift : sit in neutral at stop lights?

rez333 · 08-10-2012, 06:17 PM

Should we shift to neutral at the stop lights for the stick shift cars?

How about shifting to neutral when we approach the stop light (rather than downshifting first)?

Thanks.

dmginc · 08-10-2012, 06:22 PM

if sitting at a light, keep it in neutral and keep your foot off the clutch. when slowing down keeping it in gear will help slow you down extending the life of your brakes. i usually will only downshift to 3rd and then go to neutral when i get to about 1000 rpm.

upflying · 08-10-2012, 06:31 PM

From a defensive driving stand point, I'd leave it in first when stopped. You never know when you need to move in a hurry to avoid something.
That something could be a car about to rear-end you, a car careening out of control across the intersection towards you or a car jacker.

rez333 · 08-10-2012, 06:47 PM

So if you're sitting at the lights in 1st gear with the foot fully pressed down on the clutch, that causes clutch wear and tear? How? Thanks.

Rogue Leader · 08-10-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rez333

So if you're sitting at the lights in 1st gear with the foot fully pressed down on the clutch, that causes clutch wear and tear? How? Thanks.

Wears the springs in the pressure plate, ohh and your knee will hate you after a while.

Put it in neutral

DaBears · 08-10-2012, 07:49 PM

Neutral

Avenging Orange · 08-10-2012, 08:05 PM

Wow, this is a question I never thought would be asked. It really doesnt matter...........your clutch will be engaged/disengaged thousands of times in its life....whatever your driving style is, use it.

ChrisBlair · 08-10-2012, 08:57 PM

Neutral. I'd you're struck from behind, you may slip the clutch while in gear. Bammo: you caused a rear end collision yourself. hello surcharge

Happened to me on Christmas Eve last year (awesome). I was in neutral. Only person at fault for anything was the driver that hit me

jesserayjames · 08-10-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

From a defensive driving stand point, I'd leave it in first when stopped. You never know when you need to move in a hurry to avoid something.
That something could be a car about to rear-end you, a car careening out of control across the intersection towards you or a car jacker.

What He said...............................

ChrisBlair · 08-10-2012, 09:07 PM

That's a great idea but unfortunately I think the notion is in error. You have to see the danger, and you need to be able to manuever. Very few instances in stopped situations where you're going to benefit. If you want to combat carjackers, leaving an extra car-length in front of you when stopped is a must. But you also need to see them before a tire iron bounces off your head

dmginc · 08-11-2012, 08:37 AM

it takes a fraction of a second to put car in gear and go if the need arises...you will go through clutches faster if you constantly sit there with your foot on it.

Bob Cosby · 08-11-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

Wow, this is a question I never thought would be asked. It really doesnt matter...........your clutch will be engaged/disengaged thousands of times in its life....whatever your driving style is, use it.

A-freaking-men.

ChrisBlair · 08-11-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Cosby

A-freaking-men.

Good think you're not Bill Cosby, or I'd give you a talking to about the foul foul filth!

Neumatic · 08-11-2012, 04:34 PM

For me it all depends on how long Ill be sitting at the light. If I get to the light right as it turns red I put it in neutral but if its been red for a little bit before I get there ill usually sit there in first.

08-10-2012, 06:17 PM	#1
rez333 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Joseph Posts: 1,283	Manual Stick Shift : sit in neutral at stop lights? Should we shift to neutral at the stop lights for the stick shift cars? How about shifting to neutral when we approach the stop light (rather than downshifting first)? Thanks.

08-10-2012, 06:22 PM	#2
dmginc Drives: In Circles Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,433 View My Garage	if sitting at a light, keep it in neutral and keep your foot off the clutch. when slowing down keeping it in gear will help slow you down extending the life of your brakes. i usually will only downshift to 3rd and then go to neutral when i get to about 1000 rpm. __________________ CAI Cold Air Intake, BMR Strut Tower Brace, BMR 1.2" Lowering Springs Gen5DIY Fog Lights, Big Worm Third Brake Light/Side Marker Tint (Charcoal) GTS Tail Light Covers, Purple Under Hood Lighting Magnaflow Resonated X-Pipe w/ Muffler Delete Black Plasti Dipped Wheels, Z/28 Spoiler

08-10-2012, 07:49 PM	#6
DaBears Drives: 2014 Subaru Forester, 2010 Equinox Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 560	Neutral __________________

08-10-2012, 08:05 PM	#7
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Wow, this is a question I never thought would be asked. It really doesnt matter...........your clutch will be engaged/disengaged thousands of times in its life....whatever your driving style is, use it. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

08-10-2012, 08:57 PM	#8
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	Neutral. I'd you're struck from behind, you may slip the clutch while in gear. Bammo: you caused a rear end collision yourself. hello surcharge Happened to me on Christmas Eve last year (awesome). I was in neutral. Only person at fault for anything was the driver that hit me __________________

08-10-2012, 06:31 PM	#3
upflying Drives: '86 Monte Carlo SS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,119	From a defensive driving stand point, I'd leave it in first when stopped. You never know when you need to move in a hurry to avoid something. That something could be a car about to rear-end you, a car careening out of control across the intersection towards you or a car jacker.

08-10-2012, 06:47 PM	#4
rez333 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Joseph Posts: 1,283	So if you're sitting at the lights in 1st gear with the foot fully pressed down on the clutch, that causes clutch wear and tear? How? Thanks.

08-10-2012, 09:07 PM	#10
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	That's a great idea but unfortunately I think the notion is in error. You have to see the danger, and you need to be able to manuever. Very few instances in stopped situations where you're going to benefit. If you want to combat carjackers, leaving an extra car-length in front of you when stopped is a must. But you also need to see them before a tire iron bounces off your head __________________

08-11-2012, 08:37 AM	#11
dmginc Drives: In Circles Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,433 View My Garage	it takes a fraction of a second to put car in gear and go if the need arises...you will go through clutches faster if you constantly sit there with your foot on it. __________________ CAI Cold Air Intake, BMR Strut Tower Brace, BMR 1.2" Lowering Springs Gen5DIY Fog Lights, Big Worm Third Brake Light/Side Marker Tint (Charcoal) GTS Tail Light Covers, Purple Under Hood Lighting Magnaflow Resonated X-Pipe w/ Muffler Delete Black Plasti Dipped Wheels, Z/28 Spoiler

08-11-2012, 04:34 PM	#14
Neumatic Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,448 View My Garage	For me it all depends on how long Ill be sitting at the light. If I get to the light right as it turns red I put it in neutral but if its been red for a little bit before I get there ill usually sit there in first.