• 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.

Stopped at a red light with a MT car. 1st gear clutch in or neutral?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

MT>AT

  • Clutch in

  • Neutral

  • I can't drive stick

Results are only viewable after voting.
Clutched in. I don't like the idea of not being able to move at a moments notice. I've been rear ended THREE times standing at a red light in the last 2 years. (well, once was passing by a green, but had to stop for kids crossing...)
 
clutch in. Except for my cherokee though, there is something with the angle that my foot is at that bothers me when I hold the clutch down for awhile.
 
amdhunter said:
Clutched in. I don't like the idea of not being able to move at a moments notice. I've been rear ended THREE times standing at a red light in the last 2 years.
Click to expand...
That's a good point. I once was almost rear ended by a motorcycle while stopped at a red light. I heard tires screetching and saw it coming up behind me in my mirror (dude was almost laying it down to avoid the impact). I was already in gear so I was able to move out of the way quick enough to avoid being hit.
 
exdeath said:
TOB can fail early if the pedal is adjusted incorrectly such that the TOB is riding the pressure plate all the time and not just when the pedal is pressed. But holding it down at a light is considered normal use and normal wear and tear.

I keep it in neutral usually just because I have a very heavy clutch and your leg will turn into a noodle if you keep holding it down like that.
Click to expand...

I thought all the newer Mustangs with cable clutches had throw out bearings that were engaged all the time....it is a function of keeping the cable correctly adjusted.
 
Ronstang said:
I thought all the newer Mustangs with cable clutches had throw out bearings that were engaged all the time....it is a function of keeping the cable correctly adjusted.
Click to expand...

On the 03/04 Cobras, that's how it is, and most all of them experience early TOB failure before 30,000 miles (famous TOB/retainer sleeve squeal). There is supposed to be slack in in the cable to allow the fork/TOB to "float" and prevent pressure plate contact, because as you tighten the cable it begins to pull the fork forward. The correct way to fix it is with a preload spring between the fork and the bellhousing. Then you can take all the cable slack out of the pedal and have immediate clutch engagement with no dead space in the pedal, while the spring keeps the cable tight and prevents it from relaxing under rest tension and tugging on the fork when you get it nice and tight.

The other culprit is the junk stock plastic ratchet style adjuster that wears and loses adjustment easily, especially as the clutch wears and exceeds it's adjustment range. It's best to go with a aftermarket quadrant and firewall adjuster, and "freeplay correction kit" (aka spring between bellhousing and fork). Keeps your clutch pedal nice and firm while also prolonging TOB life by keeping it clear of the PP when not in use.

The S197 uses a hydraulic TOB, and thus doesn't have the problem with having to fight cable tension to keep the TOB clear (the return spring in the hydraulic system pulls it clear).
 
Last edited:
Fmr12B said:
I've driven a manual trans car my entire life - I've never burnt out a clutch and never had a TOB fail.
Click to expand...
You drove the wrong cars 😉
Our 01 Toyota Avensis (T22FL) Diesel needed 2 clutches in about 70.000km (and ended up with a broken flywheel, both are common problems) and my 86 RX7 FC (NA) also had a worn out clutch (they normally don't burn out, if they are worn out, you can't get the power from the engine to the gearbox).
 
Neutral. IMO newbs keep it in gear unless you believe you're about to go soon. When you keep the clutch pedal in (clutch disengaged) the hydraulic system is under constant pressure.
 
Skoorb said:
Neutral. IMO newbs keep it in gear unless you believe you're about to go soon. When you keep the clutch pedal in (clutch disengaged) the hydraulic system is under constant pressure.
Click to expand...

IMO older people put it in neutral. They don't have the muscle strength to hold the clutch down anymore.


See how that works? 😛
 
Car or truck and it goes into neutral, bike is always clutch in and first gear until I'm comfortable that I'm not going to get rear ended.
 
amdhunter said:
Clutched in. I don't like the idea of not being able to move at a moments notice. I've been rear ended THREE times standing at a red light in the last 2 years. (well, once was passing by a green, but had to stop for kids crossing...)
Click to expand...


Being clutched in didn't help you to stopped being rear-ended again and again....
 
Colt45 said:
And when you stand on the brakes, the hydraulic system is under constant pressure. That's what hydraulics are for...
Click to expand...
No, hydraulic systems are not "for" staying under constant pressure, it is merely a side effect of how they work. A brake system is under hardly any pressure at all when you're stopped at a light with your foot gently rested on it.
 
lol... that's funny. I've never heard of a car having any sort of hydraulic failure which wasn't caused by pump failure, plugging or line failure due to something rubbing or cutting it.
 
CupCak3 said:
lol... that's funny. I've never heard of a car having any sort of hydraulic failure which wasn't caused by pump failure, plugging or line failure due to something rubbing or cutting it.
Click to expand...
All this says is that you haven't been around cars much.
 
Years ago in driving school they taught us to always stay in gear while stopped in case you have to move rapidly in an emergency situation. Not sure how I feel about it now though, I do both and don't have a standard.

What annoys me is stupid people rocking back and forth. I had some dipshit roll into the front of my car with his pickup a few years ago because he was trying to be cool rocking back and forth at a light.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top