Manual Stick Shift : sit in neutral at stop lights? - Page 3

shank0668 · 08-13-2012, 12:23 AM

I always had my car in neutral at a stop, partially because the synchronizer assembly was completely destroyed and the only thing it could do is be in neutral.

Brutal SS · 08-13-2012, 02:25 AM

Neutral at lights, brakes for slowing/stopping.

2001ragtop · 08-13-2012, 04:41 PM

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.

When the clutch pedal is pushed in, a "bearing" called a throw-out bearing is being pushed against the rotating spring blades of the pressure plate.

If you want this BEARING to last LONGER, don't stay at a stoplight with your clutch pushed in. Only hold it in for long periods on rare occasions if possible.

If you have the clutch OUT, then the bearing isn't doing any kind of work at all. Eventually this bearing is going to wear out and go SQUEAK squeak. or Squeel. You can extend the time before this happens.

I had to remove my transmission to replace my throw-out bearing before...and my clutch and pressure plate were fine. To me its a waste to have to pull the tranny due to that bearing. Since i pulled it, I replaced everything (clutch/pressure plate/pilot bearing/throwout bearing)...

BUT HEY LIKE THAT GUY SAID. Just drive however you normally do. Pull your tranny every 6 months if that's what you like doing.

I normally don't need new brakes for like 200,000 miles, because i never nose-dive slam on the brakes like everyone does. but to each his own. I barely apply any kind of force when i hit the brakes. I start braking like half a mile before i need to stop. you can make disc brake pads last to like 300,000 miles probably. everyone else has warped rotors and new pads every 5000 miles. but to each his own though....just drive it the way you like....like the man said...."Whatever your driving style is"...so long as u dont mind replacing parts all the time

PalmerGA · 08-13-2012, 09:44 PM

I totally agree with "to each their own". After all, it's your car... drive it how you like. I drove a standard for decades - now I'm on automatic, so this issue really doesn't matter to me. Just saying - always leave yourself an out - it could save your life.

Happy motoring!

Jason@JacFab · 08-13-2012, 10:45 PM

I personally sit in neutral at a stop light, or at a stop for any extended period of time... I was stuck in a stop and go traffic jam for about 45 minutes and I thought my leg was going to explode by the time I got where I was going... It starts to get sore just from holding the clutch in the whole time at a light. Neutral for me.

gelboy1015 · 08-14-2012, 02:02 AM

It varies for me. Sometimes I'll sit at a long light in neutral, foot off clutch. Other times Ill sit there in first, foot on clutch (obviously), or even in neutral with my foot on the clutch, ready to shift into first. Approaching a light, I usually throw it in neutral and use the brakes.

Black N' Yellow · 08-14-2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hightower

I shift into neutral and coast to lights. And leave it in neutral until the light turns green.

+1

GrabberB5.Slow · 08-14-2012, 09:03 AM

There's really no reason to hold in the clutch while at a stop light the entire time IMHO. The 1-2 seconds it will take to move your foot over and get started is not gonna avoid any kind of rear end collision.

I mean say you had your car in first and you look back and see a car at high speed coming toward you, you have these options;
A. Take the hit, after all it isn't your fault.
B. Ram the cars infront, or beside of you to get out of the way.
C. Go forward into the middle of the intersection while perpendicular traffic's light is green, even more dangerous.
D. Spin for a good 1-2 seconds while you are flooring your car to move into the side of the road. Given this whole process would take atleast 4-5 seconds, not enough time to even scratch your left nut.

Not to mention the chances of that happening are slim.

Plus my knee tends to **** me over when I keep the clutch pushed in for a long time.

MLL67RSSS · 08-14-2012, 10:19 AM

I was also taught to leave it in first when stopped at a light by my Dad, as well as in Driver's Ed. in the late '70's.
The main reason I was told was if you are sitting there and someone rear-ends you it may incapacitate/disorient you for and instant and maybe even for a few moments. If you're in neutral who knows how far your car can be pushed/rolled forward possibly into oncoming traffic before you come to your senses and stop the car. If they whollop you pretty good chances are your foot will come off the clutch and stall the car limiting its forward movement.
So for my peace of mind I'm going to continue to do it, only puts some additional wear on the throw-out bearing (which will out live the clutch anyway). You do what ever feels right to you. I know when my Dad started driving automatics hadn't been invented yet.

08-13-2012, 02:25 AM	#30
Brutal SS Drives: 2019 Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dinwiddie, Va. Posts: 1,901	Neutral at lights, brakes for slowing/stopping. __________________

08-13-2012, 09:44 PM	#32
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,754 View My Garage	I totally agree with "to each their own". After all, it's your car... drive it how you like. I drove a standard for decades - now I'm on automatic, so this issue really doesn't matter to me. Just saying - always leave yourself an out - it could save your life. Happy motoring! __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

08-14-2012, 09:03 AM	#36
GrabberB5.Slow Drives: 2011 Grabber Blue Mustang GT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 126	There's really no reason to hold in the clutch while at a stop light the entire time IMHO. The 1-2 seconds it will take to move your foot over and get started is not gonna avoid any kind of rear end collision. I mean say you had your car in first and you look back and see a car at high speed coming toward you, you have these options; A. Take the hit, after all it isn't your fault. B. Ram the cars infront, or beside of you to get out of the way. C. Go forward into the middle of the intersection while perpendicular traffic's light is green, even more dangerous. D. Spin for a good 1-2 seconds while you are flooring your car to move into the side of the road. Given this whole process would take atleast 4-5 seconds, not enough time to even scratch your left nut. Not to mention the chances of that happening are slim. Plus my knee tends to **** me over when I keep the clutch pushed in for a long time. __________________

08-13-2012, 12:23 AM	#29
shank0668 Drives: '14 LML/'06 LJ/'76 Trans Am Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,438 View My Garage	I always had my car in neutral at a stop, partially because the synchronizer assembly was completely destroyed and the only thing it could do is be in neutral.

08-13-2012, 10:45 PM	#33
Jason@JacFab Drives: 2016 1LT RS Camaro; 72 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Point, OR Posts: 5,685 View My Garage	I personally sit in neutral at a stop light, or at a stop for any extended period of time... I was stuck in a stop and go traffic jam for about 45 minutes and I thought my leg was going to explode by the time I got where I was going... It starts to get sore just from holding the clutch in the whole time at a light. Neutral for me.

08-14-2012, 02:02 AM	#34
gelboy1015 Drives: '10 2SS/RS, MKIII Supras Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston/Tulsa Posts: 1,009	It varies for me. Sometimes I'll sit at a long light in neutral, foot off clutch. Other times Ill sit there in first, foot on clutch (obviously), or even in neutral with my foot on the clutch, ready to shift into first. Approaching a light, I usually throw it in neutral and use the brakes.

08-14-2012, 10:19 AM	#37
MLL67RSSS Account Suspended Drives: car Join Date: May 2008 Location: location Posts: 1,569	I was also taught to leave it in first when stopped at a light by my Dad, as well as in Driver's Ed. in the late '70's. The main reason I was told was if you are sitting there and someone rear-ends you it may incapacitate/disorient you for and instant and maybe even for a few moments. If you're in neutral who knows how far your car can be pushed/rolled forward possibly into oncoming traffic before you come to your senses and stop the car. If they whollop you pretty good chances are your foot will come off the clutch and stall the car limiting its forward movement. So for my peace of mind I'm going to continue to do it, only puts some additional wear on the throw-out bearing (which will out live the clutch anyway). You do what ever feels right to you. I know when my Dad started driving automatics hadn't been invented yet.