Just curious what most of you do when stopped for longer than a quick stop-go situation.

Most people I know, put the car in 1st, sit there with the clutch in. I've always put the car in neutral, let the clutch out during the stop.

EDIT - When I say "downshift into first" I mean once the car is stopped, you put the car in first, keep it there with the clutch in during the stop.

 

I put mine in neutral. Holding the clutch pedal down causes undue stress on components. But my car wouldn't downshift to first most times anyway, unless I am almost at a complete stop.

 

For a stop more than about 4.5 seconds, the trans is in neutral and the clutch engaged.

 

I'm with Louie, but I have to be concious of it.

 

Neutral here... much easier on the throwout bearing and the famous thrust bearing!

 

For a stop light I will keep it in 1st. A train or a similar long wait it goes in neutral for sure.

Also no downshifting for a complete stop......let the brakes stop the car not the tranny and clutch.

 

I then put it in 1st just before the light changes, and hold the clutch until it does.

On a hill, I use the parking brake to hold the car as I get it ready to unload on the clutch.

 

Put the car in neutral and let the clutch out, use the brakes. Brakes are for stopping and holding still and clutches are for shifting into gears.

 

Neutral with clutch engaged ....

 

neutral, brake, relax

 

same here, so the people that hp "knows" are in the minority, except in his little world.....

 

Or maybe no one will admit to being those people, or have a varying idea of what "quick" is.

I go to neutral if it'll be more than 3 or 4 seconds before moving again. Sure, it pisses off the people behind me as I waste 1 or 2 seconds of their lives getting it in gear, but then again, I'm the hedgehog in this world, ain't I?

 

That is one of my pet peeves ... holding the clutch pedal to the floor is an unnatural act stresses the release bearing and the pressure plate springs plus as noted puts pressure on the thrust bearing on the crankshaft. Nice to see people stating that brakes are for stopping and that engine braking while fun simply increases the wear and tear on the clutch ,trans and engine. I often slide the trans into neutral long before the stop light and coast but I drive even older than I look !

 

Bull****. I followed your very brown flash up that hill past the trooper, I know you and my gramma have zero in common. Except maybe a strong disregard for the devil.

 

As Sir Jackie Stewart says, "Brakes pads are cheaper and easier to replace than a clutch"

I stay in neutral and clutch out if I'm sitting.. I don't need one leg muscle bigger than the other anyway...