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[Elstupido]

When you come to a stoplight do you shift into neutral? Or do you keep the clutch depressed?

I sometimes come across some asshole who is too lazy to keep his or her foot on the clutch.
Always happens with a very short stoplight. While behind this person, light turns green and retard is searching for 1st gear, while looking at the scenery.

OK, this was just getting out of hand.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Garage moderator

 

[Raduque]

car forum that way
<-

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i don't search for 1st, it's always in the same place. at very short stoplights, i'll roll back a couple feet while looking at the scenery. it really pissed off some asshole today!

 

[Zenmervolt]

There are multiple schools of thought on this.

Some people put the transmission in neutral. They claim that this saves wear on the throwout bearing. This is technically true, but I have never heard of a throwout bearing wearing out because someone kept the clutch depressed at stoplights. To me, this advice is akin to saying not to stop because if you stop you'll put wear on the brakes. The throwout bearing is designed to be replaced with the clutch and, barring a defect, should have no trouble lasting the life of the clutch.

On the other hand, you do no appreciable damage by putting the car in neutral either. The argument against this is that if you need to move quickly, there is now an extra step involved.

Overall, just do what feels most comfortable for you. Personally, I leave the car in gear unless it is going to be a really long light.

ZV

 

[zerocool84]

Whichever you prefer. Neutral or clutch. Obviously it has to be out of gear when stopped. And how is it being lazy to not want to hold down the clutch the whole time you're stopped? Too much effort.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
When you come to a stoplight do you shift into neutral? Or do you keep the clutch depressed?

I sometimes come across some asshole who is too lazy to keep his or her foot on the clutch.
Always happens with a very short stoplight. While behind this person, light turns green and retard is searching for 1st gear, while looking at the scenery.

Are you serious? You must not realise what its like to keep the clutch depressed for any length of time. I'd argue laziness has nothing to do with it.

 

[Elstupido]

Wear on the throwout bearing concern, by the general public? You're kidding right? But maybe not, for a long time, not so long ago, it was standard operating procedure to just depress the clutch when stopped, unless as you say for a prolonged period of time. I mean who is thinking of their throwout bearing every time they push the clutch. I still think laziness is the prime factor.

The Boston Dangler, I wanted to thank you for that

 

[Elstupido]

Too much effort to push a pedal? LMFAO

 

[angry hampster]

Depends how long I'm going to be at the light. On my motorcycle it depends on if I'm on a hill or not.

 

[theeedude]

Over about 10 seconds, yes, neutral.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
Too much effort to push a pedal? LMFAO

To constantly hold down a pedal that is fairly stiff does take effort. Sorry, not everyone's clutches are feathery soft.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
There are multiple schools of thought on this.

Some people put the transmission in neutral. They claim that this saves wear on the throwout bearing. This is technically true, but I have never heard of a throwout bearing wearing out because someone kept the clutch depressed at stoplights. To me, this advice is akin to saying not to stop because if you stop you'll put wear on the brakes. The throwout bearing is designed to be replaced with the clutch and, barring a defect, should have no trouble lasting the life of the clutch.

On the other hand, you do no appreciable damage by putting the car in neutral either. The argument against this is that if you need to move quickly, there is now an extra step involved.

Overall, just do what feels most comfortable for you. Personally, I leave the car in gear unless it is going to be a really long light.

ZV

This x10.

Really, couldn't have said it better myself. :thumbsup:

 

[Elstupido]

Have you guys driving manuals, ever considered an auto? I drive an auto now after years of driving a stick shift. I like the auto, but I do know how to drive a manual without having to shift to neutral at every fcking light.

Why have a manual if you don't or won't want use use the clutch? Get an auto tranny.

 

[woodie1]

When I drove a stick if I was stopped at a light that was historically long I would use neutral. Otherwise I kept her in gear.

 

[iamwiz82]

I don't keep mine in gear unless I see a car coming up behind me or I see the lights changing the opposite way.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
Why have a manual if you don't or won't want use use the clutch? Get an auto tranny.

Just because I don't feel like holding the clutch at every stop light I shouldn't drive manual tranny???

 

[Elstupido]

zerocool84, yes

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Elstupido
Why have a manual if you don't or won't want use use the clutch? Get an auto tranny.

Just because I don't feel like holding the clutch at every stop light I shouldn't drive manual tranny???

Yup, to each his own.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Elstupido
Why have a manual if you don't or won't want use use the clutch? Get an auto tranny.

Just because I don't feel like holding the clutch at every stop light I shouldn't drive manual tranny???

Just an FYI, penis length is directly related to how long you will hold the clutch pedal in.

Shucks for me

 

[Elstupido]

I really do not care if you hold the clutch or not, but I do care if you are holding me up in heavy traffic,just because you decide to shift into neutral, because it is to much effort to hold the clutch in

 

[Colt45]

I leave in gear unless i know it's going to be a long light, or train, or whatever.

 

[ViviTheMage]

we all don't drive civics with shit clutch's....

light that looks like it willl be longer then 10 seconds I will put it in neutral.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
I really do not care if you hold the clutch or not, but I do care if you are holding me up in heavy traffic,just because you decide to shift into neutral, because it is to much effort to hold the clutch in

So you like to race to the next red light where you will sit. What does 1-2 seconds matter in heavy traffic - you aren't going anywhere fast anyway. Slow down and enjoy life.

 

[Elstupido]

We are not talking about racing from one red light to another, but where I live, it's one light to the interstate on ramp. Very congested in the morning, and the difference between some idiot taking the time to shift into first is incredible to the overall traffic flow for everyone. And yes I do slow down and enjoy life, just not when i depend on getting to work on time within a reasonable amount of time.

Why is it so difficult to just keep the fucking car in gear at a light? I suppose you just go thru life and make everyone else miserable just because you can't keep your foot on the clutch for more than 10 seconds?

 

[Whitecloak]

depends on how long the light is and if there is a slope.