• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Answer my dumb question about driving stick

J

J3anyus

Platinum Member
I've been driving stick ever since I got my license, and was taught how to by my dad back in the day. I still drive stick to this day, and recently have been questioning something I do while driving. When my dad taught me to drive stick, he showed me that when you are coming to a stop (red light, stop sign, whatever) you want to downshift through the gears and then shift into neutral from 2nd. Lately, I've been wondering why I shouldn't just shift straight into neutral and brake, regardless of what gear I'm in. Obviously doing this will be a little tougher on the brakes, but wouldn't it be better on the rest of the car as I'm not downshifting/revving the engine every time I want to stop? And would shifting straight into neutral really have THAT much of an impact on my brakes?

Probably a dumb question but it's something I've been wondering for awhile.

Thanks! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: J3anyus
I've been driving stick ever since I got my license, and was taught how to by my dad back in the day. I still drive stick to this day, and recently have been questioning something I do while driving. When my dad taught me to drive stick, he showed me that when you are coming to a stop (red light, stop sign, whatever) you want to downshift through the gears and then shift into neutral from 2nd. Lately, I've been wondering why I shouldn't just shift straight into neutral and brake, regardless of what gear I'm in. Obviously doing this will be a little tougher on the brakes, but wouldn't it be better on the rest of the car as I'm not downshifting/revving the engine every time I want to stop? And would shifting straight into neutral really have THAT much of an impact on my brakes?

Probably a dumb question but it's something I've been wondering for awhile.

Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...

break pads are cheap....shift in to N...save gas too
 
how good are you at rev-matching? fyi: A new input shaft bearing / clutch assembly/ any other drivetrain part is a lot more expensive than brake pads
 
It'll have the same impact that people that drive automatics have. Downshifting though will put the wear on the engine and driveline instead, which are much more resiliant than your break pads.
 
I asked a question very similar to this on ATOT a few months ago... I was told it saves gas to go through the gears, and saves the brakes. I used to drive just how you're describing but now I go through the gears
 
That WAS back in the day. The purpose of down shifting was to save on the drum brakes. Since, newer cars/trucks have disk brakes, it no longer makes sense.
 
Originally posted by: dugweb
I asked a question very similar to this on ATOT a few months ago... I was told it saves gas to go through the gears, and saves the brakes. I used to drive just how you're describing but now I go through the gears
Click to expand...

i highly doubt it saves gas...i mean you bring the revs up each time...instead of sitting at idle while you coast to a stop using your brakes...im confused as how downshifting saves gas....
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
Originally posted by: J3anyus
I've been driving stick ever since I got my license, and was taught how to by my dad back in the day. I still drive stick to this day, and recently have been questioning something I do while driving. When my dad taught me to drive stick, he showed me that when you are coming to a stop (red light, stop sign, whatever) you want to downshift through the gears and then shift into neutral from 2nd. Lately, I've been wondering why I shouldn't just shift straight into neutral and brake, regardless of what gear I'm in. Obviously doing this will be a little tougher on the brakes, but wouldn't it be better on the rest of the car as I'm not downshifting/revving the engine every time I want to stop? And would shifting straight into neutral really have THAT much of an impact on my brakes?

Probably a dumb question but it's something I've been wondering for awhile.

Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...

break pads are cheap....shift in to N...save gas too
Click to expand...

Modern fuel injected cars use less gas if you downshift, as the use the overrun to turn the engine over and shut the injectors off during overrun. The wear on your drivetrain is minimal and may even be better for the car as engines don't like to idle, you're better off with a little load on the engine.
 
The current accepted way to slow to a stop in a standard car is to keep it in the gear your in while you let off the gas and brake, continue to brake with the car in gear, just before it even starts to lug hit the clutch and brake to a stop.
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
Originally posted by: dugweb
I asked a question very similar to this on ATOT a few months ago... I was told it saves gas to go through the gears, and saves the brakes. I used to drive just how you're describing but now I go through the gears
Click to expand...

i highly doubt it saves gas...i mean you bring the revs up each time...instead of sitting at idle while you coast to a stop using your brakes...im confused as how downshifting saves gas....
Click to expand...

the cars momentum keeps the engine turning, and the fuel injectors have a sensor that detects this I guess, and all but shuts off fuel flow to the engine. Rather than the tiny amount of fuel required for it to maintain an idleing speed
 
Originally posted by: dugweb
Originally posted by: mariok2006
Originally posted by: dugweb
I asked a question very similar to this on ATOT a few months ago... I was told it saves gas to go through the gears, and saves the brakes. I used to drive just how you're describing but now I go through the gears
Click to expand...

i highly doubt it saves gas...i mean you bring the revs up each time...instead of sitting at idle while you coast to a stop using your brakes...im confused as how downshifting saves gas....
Click to expand...

the cars momentum keeps the engine turning, and the fuel injectors have a sensor that detects this I guess, and all but shuts off fuel flow to the engine. Rather than the tiny amount of fuel required for it to maintain an idleing speed
Click to expand...

but in the long run...i think there is more wear on the tranny than the minute amnt you save in gas...
 
I just shift to neutral and apply break. shift to 1st when completely stopped, or shift to the matching gear according to speed and rev if I don't have to completely stop. Oh btw I've been only been driving stick for a few months and I shift like granny.
 
It depends on the situation for me, if I have lots of time to stop I always downshift and then around 15mph or so apply the break and shift to neutral. If I have little forwarning of a stop I'll usually break until the point right before the engine bogs out in whatever gear I'm in and then shift to neutral.

I downshift quite frequently, gives you way more control over your car in my opinion.
 
I prefer to downshift to slow down so as to keep the proper gear for accelerating, just like cornering and going down steep declines. Heating up the brakes by brake coasting can lead to brakes fading, especially in traffic.
 
Originally posted by: rbV5
I prefer to downshift to slow down so as to keep the proper gear for accelerating, just like cornering and going down steep declines. Heating up the brakes by brake coasting can lead to brakes fading, especially in traffic.
Click to expand...

if ones brakes heat up during coastin to a stop...one has got some ****** ass brakes...lol...but yea in traffic i definitely keep it in gear.
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
Originally posted by: rbV5
I prefer to downshift to slow down so as to keep the proper gear for accelerating, just like cornering and going down steep declines. Heating up the brakes by brake coasting can lead to brakes fading, especially in traffic.
Click to expand...

if ones brakes heat up during coastin to a stop...one has got some ****** ass brakes...lol...but yea in traffic i definitely keep it in gear.
Click to expand...

basically....


<-------- has quote "some ****** ass brakes...lol" ;o
 
I hate these threads so much.

Both are right so just do whatever the hell you want. Using your brakes isn't really going to shorten thier lifespan enough to matter. Downshifting through the gears isn't going to wear out your clutch or drivetrain enough to matter. Downshifter will however leave you in the right gear if you need to accelerate again. I alway atleast leave it in the current gear for aslong as I can before going to neutral and downshift when the situation calls for it.
 
I usually leave it in gear with the clutch engaged until I've braked down to roughly idle speed in that gear, then I dis-engage the clutch and shift down through the gears so that if I have to accelerate I am in the proper gear. I do not re-engage the clutch each time I shift down.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
but in the long run...i think there is more wear on the tranny than the minute amnt you save in gas...
Click to expand...
Less wear on the transmission than driving.

Your worry is completely unfounded and shows little to no understanding of how engine braking works.

ZV
 
Probably doesn't matter a whole lot, but, downshifting uses your engine/drivetrain to reduce speed, and as long as the car is in gear, you have better stopping power than if you pop it into neutral and just brake.
I've driven heavy trucks and truck cranes most of my life, and using the engine to brake makes stopping a lot easier than just the service brakes.
Granted, your car doesn't weigh nearly as much, but then again, your brakes aren't nearly as big either.
Personally, I shift down as I stop, and will always do so.
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
Originally posted by: rbV5
I prefer to downshift to slow down so as to keep the proper gear for accelerating, just like cornering and going down steep declines. Heating up the brakes by brake coasting can lead to brakes fading, especially in traffic.
Click to expand...

if ones brakes heat up during coastin to a stop...one has got some ****** ass brakes...lol...but yea in traffic i definitely keep it in gear.
Click to expand...

Your brakes heat up with any kind of pressure applied, thats how friction surfaces like brake pads and clutch plates work.
 
Also, downshifting keeps you in a gear. If the light turns green on you, hit the gas and go. If you're out of gear, you have to find it before you can hit the gas. Which is a big problem in a truck with 12 gears. Knowing what gear to go into at a given speed take a lot of practice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top