Manual Driving Etiquette?

[xEDIT409]

Alright, here?s the story. I?ve been driving a manual for about two years now, but I feel like I?m doing a few little things wrong. I don?t know if these ?things? matter too much, but if they do, I?d appreciate some help.

Ok, here we go:

1. While at a red light, am I supposed to:
a. Take car out of gear, and hold clutch in while holding brake.
b. Take car out of gear, and just hold the break.
c. Leave car in first gear, while holding clutch and brake.

2. While coasting, am I supposed to:
a. Take car out of gear, and hold clutch in
b. Keep car in last gear used, and hold clutch in. Then? depending on current speed, switch to desired gear when needed, and then clutch out.

3. When turning the car off, I clutch in, put it in first (if not already in first), turn car off, then handbrake. Is that ok?

Thanks in advance to everyone that helps.

 

[DougK62]

The law will say that they want you to have your car in gear at all times (for 1 and 2). I'm a neutral coaster and never have the clutch in while I'm at a stop - only when it's time to go.

3 is just fine.

 

[saxophonoia]

for 1 I don't have it in gear........for 2 while coasting i'll usually keep it in gear in case I need to speed up or avoid something.

 

[NutBucket]

I usually take the car out of gear and brake to a stop. I remain out of gear until the light turns. When coasting I usually leave the car in gear. When turning the car off I leave the car in 1st and turn off the car and pull the hand brake.

 

[Ornery]

So, this is what takes so long for the numbnuts to get going after the light changes, eh? I thought is was only dumbasses distracted by their stinkin' cell phones, but here it's also boy racers with their 1337 'manuals' and their thumbs up their ass.

 

[Templeton]

Originally posted by: Ornery
So, this is what takes so long for the numbnuts to get going after the light changes, eh? I thought is was only dumbasses distracted by their stinkin' cell phones, but here it's also boy racers with their 1337 'manuals' and their thumbs up their ass.

Yep, I can see how waiting an extra second for someone to put their car in gear when a light turns green can have a very negative impact on your life.
For the op, if I know the light is short, I leave it in first with the clutch in, otherwise neutral with just the brakes. When coasting, usually leave it in the last gear I was in.

 

[Vic]

1. b, holding the clutch in for any extended period of time wears on the throw-out bearing and can lead to premature failure
2. b, but never ride with the clutch in... ride in gear, then smoothly downshift, etc. If coming to a stop, downshifting into 2nd is unnecessary, and you should never downshift into 1st while moving faster than 5mph (I know people will argue this, but please remember than 1st gear is 3 or more times smaller than the output gear -- the difference in inertial mass can easily destroy it if something goes wrong).
3. yes, that's fine but remember to hold in the footbrake at the same time.

Ornery, give me a break. I'm usually first off the line at the stoplight, even in my "1337" manual :roll:

 

[Ornery]

It's a cinch the people behind you aren't going to be 'first off the line', are they?

 

[AsianriceX]

When I'm at a light, I keep the car out of gear and watch for the other light to change. Once it changes to yellow, I disengage the clutch and put it in 1st. I hate the idea of holding the clutch for an extended period of time.

 

[m2kewl]

you been driving 2 years and you're asking these questions now??

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Ornery
It's a cinch the people behind you aren't going to be 'first off the line', are they?

sigh... even side by side on a multi-lane.

Most auto trannies in regular cars are pretty soft. They don't leap forward the instant you give it a little gas, they feather out a bit just like the clutch in a manual.

And most auto drivers in their SUV's or minivans are a little slow on the reflexes IMO. I sometimes joke how they'd have a 5 second RT down at the track

 

[Ornery]

Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

Considering its usually drivers with slush boxes that don't go when the light turns green your point is invalid.

 

[thomsbrain]

if you're paying attention it only takes like half a second to put the car in gear and get rolling. most people don't get rolling that fast no matter what kind of car they're driving.

 

[LS20]

isnt there a manual FAQ on here after so many threads and so much misinformation?

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Ornery
Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

Considering its usually drivers with slush boxes that don't go when the light turns green your point is invalid.

The hell it is! You've already got several people in this very thread saying they don't put it in gear until the light changes. Most of the cars on the road are autos, and unless they're yapping on their phone, or picking their nose, they scoot off the line instantly when the light changes. Otherwise, it's the clowns who have to put it in gear usually holding up the show.

 

[joe678]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Ornery
Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

Considering its usually drivers with slush boxes that don't go when the light turns green your point is invalid.

The hell it is! You've already got several people in this very thread saying they don't put it in gear until the light changes. Most of the cars on the road are autos, and unless they're yapping on their phone, or picking their nose, they scoot off the line instantly when the light changes. Otherwise, it's the clowns who have to put it in gear usually holding up the show.

it takes about half a second to get in gear and take off so ur argument is retarded...

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: joe678

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Ornery
Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

Considering its usually drivers with slush boxes that don't go when the light turns green your point is invalid.

The hell it is! You've already got several people in this very thread saying they don't put it in gear until the light changes. Most of the cars on the road are autos, and unless they're yapping on their phone, or picking their nose, they scoot off the line instantly when the light changes. Otherwise, it's the clowns who have to put it in gear usually holding up the show.

it takes about half a second to get in gear and take off so ur argument is retarded...

it would take about half a second to get in gear if i were talking on my cell and picking my nose at the same time.

 

[MazerRackham]

Originally posted by: joe678

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Ornery
Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

Considering its usually drivers with slush boxes that don't go when the light turns green your point is invalid.

The hell it is! You've already got several people in this very thread saying they don't put it in gear until the light changes. Most of the cars on the road are autos, and unless they're yapping on their phone, or picking their nose, they scoot off the line instantly when the light changes. Otherwise, it's the clowns who have to put it in gear usually holding up the show.

it takes about half a second to get in gear and take off so ur argument is retarded...

I second this statement. 0.5 second and I'm in gear and gone. I bet 99% of the people you think are taking too long once the light turns green are driving slushboxes (like yourself). Good motoring!

 

[Shawn]

When I'm at a red light I always put my car in neutral and take my foot off the clutch. When coasting I usually keep my foot on the clutch so I know I'm in neutral and so I can change into a gear quicker if i need to. I always put my car in neutral when I park but that's just me.

 

[Lifer]

1. While at a red light, am I supposed to:
i turn the car off at lights and pull the handbrake up so i don't roll.


2. While coasting, am I supposed to:
i put it in neutral and turn the car off to save even more gas.


3. When turning the car off, I clutch in, put it in first (if not already in first), turn car off, then handbrake. Is that ok?
brake/clutch in at same time while in first (or put in first), handbrake, turn car off.

 

[StageLeft]

If light is going to be of any length I do 1b

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: Lifer
1. While at a red light, am I supposed to:
i turn the car off at lights and pull the handbrake up so i don't roll.


2. While coasting, am I supposed to:
i put it in neutral and turn the car off to save even more gas.


3. When turning the car off, I clutch in, put it in first (if not already in first), turn car off, then handbrake. Is that ok?
brake/clutch in at same time while in first (or put in first), handbrake, turn car off.

2. sounds like a good way to get yourself killed. not only are we not gear but now we havea locked steering column and only enough vacuum for one or two pumps of the brakes

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: xEDIT409
Ok, here we go:

1. While at a red light, am I supposed to:
a. Take car out of gear, and hold clutch in while holding brake.
b. Take car out of gear, and just hold the break.
c. Leave car in first gear, while holding clutch and brake.

2. While coasting, am I supposed to:
a. Take car out of gear, and hold clutch in
b. Keep car in last gear used, and hold clutch in. Then? depending on current speed, switch to desired gear when needed, and then clutch out.

3. When turning the car off, I clutch in, put it in first (if not already in first), turn car off, then handbrake. Is that ok?

1 b
2 a, If no one is in front of me then I will just clutch out.
3 neutral, no clutch, brake, turn off.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Ornery
Oh sure, if you're on the line with somebody next you you, THEN it's worth the effort to put it in gear before the light changes. Otherwise, the people behind can damn well wait till you're good 'n ready. Bikers are the worst!

Considering its usually drivers with slush boxes that don't go when the light turns green your point is invalid.

The hell it is! You've already got several people in this very thread saying they don't put it in gear until the light changes. Most of the cars on the road are autos, and unless they're yapping on their phone, or picking their nose, they scoot off the line instantly when the light changes. Otherwise, it's the clowns who have to put it in gear usually holding up the show.

Well there is more than just putting it in gear.

1) Hear the horn behind you honk
2) Have that "moment of panic" that you are about to get in an accident
3) Look up and figure out that you are sitting still at a green light
4) Look behind you to figure out who honked
5) Do the wiggle it in neutral to decide that you really are in neutral
6) Put it in gear
7) Take off fast to make up the lost time
8) Flip off the guy who honked