Personally, when I'm coming to a stop, I push in the clutch and cruise to a stop. After coming to a stop, I put the car into first and hold the clutch in. But, I really don't see any harm in leaving your car in neutral, and taking the time to shift into first when the light turns green or its your turn to leave the stop sign.

 

I dont think you can put into 1st while the car is still moving, or thats at least with mine, i have to come to a complete stop before i can shift into 1st. I just usually down shift into 2nd, then neutral and stop.

 

There are many philosophies on this... choose the one that you like.

Many will tell you to always have your car in a gear so that you can move the car for defensive purposes (example--You are coming to a stop and look in your rearview mirror and it is clear that the person behind you is not going to stop. You want your car in gear so that you can maneuver out of the way (if more than just steering is needed)).

My personal habit, be it good or bad, is to stay in a gear (often downshifting) till the last 30 or so feet where I coast. I do not leave the car in gear and hold the clutch in as this wears out the clutch throwout bearing.

lndbrusr

 

You can shift into first while moving, you just have to blip the gas pedal a little to get the rpms up (revmatching). Granted there is no reason to do this unless you are accelerating out of a turn.

When slowing down, I just put it in neutral and coast. Why put extra wear on your clutch and synchros by downshifting? It is also a much smoother ride for passengers.

 

Since I'm not driving aggressively in traffic, I usually coast to a stop in neutral. If it's a stop sign, I throw it into first and then re-engage the clutch. If I'm coming to a stop sign I usually leave it in neutral and keep the clutch out until the light is about to change, then put it into first than let the clutch go.

 

A tranny that's been driven by someone who downshifts isn't going to break sooner than one driven by someone who just puts it in neutral and brakes, it's the same as any other shift. Especially if you rev match.

 

I would disagree. A transmission is a mechanical system and is designed to last a certain number of cycles. For a tranny one cycle is equal to a shift. More shifts (up or down) equal more cycles. Once the designed life of the tranny has been met it will break.

It makes more sense to wear the brakes down (cheaper), than the tranny and drivetrain.

 

Agreed

 

When slowing down for a stop light I usually have the shifter in neutral and my foot off the clutch pedal.

Every time the clutch is used it wears down a little. To a lesser extent, the gearbox takes some wear too. I use the practice of downshfting to help slow the car (engine braking) if the situation demands it, but for point A to point B everyday driving, I avoid it. I'd rather wear out brake pads than the clutch. However, there are times like whizzing about on a twisty road where quick shifting and engine braking is a must.

While I'm standing still at the traffic light, the shifter is in neutral and my left foot is off the pedal. Keeping the clutch pedal down while waiting in neutral puts unnecessary wear on the clutch, including the springs. For that matter, when I shut down and park the car I always leave it in first gear. That helps to keep the car in place and I've heard that it's better for the clutch, too.

Now, if I am waiting in neutral at the traffic light and if the guy next to me in the detailed Tundra (with 22" spinners and an automatic) is in a hurry to get home for the 49'ers game...he's going to beat me out of the light while I'm getting into first. On the other hand, if I get the impression that Mr. Tundra is going to launch and I feel like humiliating him, then I would watch for the yellow light for the cross traffic and slip it into first (clutch pedal down) a few seconds before my light goes green. If conditions permit, I'll rev and let it go when I get the green.

 

In some states, it is actually against the law to coast in neutral, even if you are approaching a stop sign. Check your local policies, you can be ticketed for this -- it is considered a saftey issue, as a car out of gear can't respond to a bad situation the way a car with a properly engaged drivetrain can.

 

how can they tell you're coasting down a hill/to a stop?? unless you have a rather loud exhaust and it all of a sudden goes quiet from the engine idling in neutral...whatever

anyway regarding mbquarts thing about revmatching, if i'm going over 10km/hr, I usually can't get into first gear on my wrx EVEN if i double clutch :S

 

Rev higher...trust me it can be done ask the auto-x guys they will tell you the same.

 

...