Clutching at stoplights...
#1
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Clutching at stoplights...
My coworkers and I are at a bit of a disagreement over whether is it is better to sit at a stoplight with the car in neutral (ie, shifter in the middle position no clutch) or with the clutch depressed either in gear or out of gear.
This got me wondering... what do you guys think?
This got me wondering... what do you guys think?
#3
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I typically leave it in neutral when I'm sitting at lights. no sense sitting there for 2+ minutes with my foot engaging the clutch.
either method works, just boils down to preference
either method works, just boils down to preference
#5
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yeah it really is up to the driver
i am the netural at the stoplight kind
but i have friends who leave it in gear
i had a similar debate on whether or not to leave the car in gear when parking
i am the netural at the stoplight kind
but i have friends who leave it in gear
i had a similar debate on whether or not to leave the car in gear when parking
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Better how?
In gear: better to escape from carjackers attacking you at a stoplight.
In neutral: better to not look like an idiot in front of your friends when you forgot you left the car in gear at a stoplight and let out the clutch while leaning over to pick your phone out of the passengers footwell.
In gear: better to escape from carjackers attacking you at a stoplight.
In neutral: better to not look like an idiot in front of your friends when you forgot you left the car in gear at a stoplight and let out the clutch while leaning over to pick your phone out of the passengers footwell.
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to the op, i think jedi said it best...it doesn't really matter, but unless you might take off momentarily, why leave your pedal depressed for that long...it's tiring!!
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Most people I know leave there car in neutral with the ebrake when parked on a level surface. For that matter most dealers I've been to do the same thing.
#11
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if on a slope, both. dont feel like putting too much stress on the transmission and clutch.
Last edited by jasonrxeight; 08-02-2010 at 01:10 PM.
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this still surpises me. in gear when parked, period. people don't park auto's in neutral. what if your ebrake fails, why not have it in hear to prevent it from rolling!!
to the op, i think jedi said it best...it doesn't really matter, but unless you might take off momentarily, why leave your pedal depressed for that long...it's tiring!!
to the op, i think jedi said it best...it doesn't really matter, but unless you might take off momentarily, why leave your pedal depressed for that long...it's tiring!!
but the only time i remember to leave it in gear is when i am on a really steep incline, but even if the brake fails its no guarantee that the car still won't roll even if its left in gear.
#14
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unless your clutch is slipping, no way it would move.
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If the hill was steep enough, it might. Of course, you would have trouble opening/shutting yoru door in that case, and I doubt you could walk that hill without using your hands, but that is not my point.
#16
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if you can drive up that hill, you can park on that hill. its simple as the grip of the tires.
#19
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then again you rarely use 1st gear to push start but 2nd cuz 1st gear is too easy to lock up.
you can try using the highest gear ration gear such as a reverse to magnify the effect of engine brake.
Last edited by jasonrxeight; 08-02-2010 at 01:31 PM.
#21
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Depends on who you ask really. If you go to the BMW driving school they actually tell you to leave the car in gear. Their whole philosophy is that you should always be ready and always make sure that the car can stop you before anything else. I.E. if your car is in gear, and you get slammed from behind, not only is the brake there to stop you, but the transmission. Or if you need to move out of the way of impending danger asap.
Personally I hate holding down my foot on the clutch as I grew up under my dads philosophy of "let the car rest at stops" i.e. leave the stick in neutral and the clutch pedal up to prevent wear.
There really is no "right" way
Personally I hate holding down my foot on the clutch as I grew up under my dads philosophy of "let the car rest at stops" i.e. leave the stick in neutral and the clutch pedal up to prevent wear.
There really is no "right" way
#22
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Better how?
In gear: better to escape from carjackers attacking you at a stoplight.
In neutral: better to not look like an idiot in front of your friends when you forgot you left the car in gear at a stoplight and let out the clutch while leaning over to pick your phone out of the passengers footwell.
In gear: better to escape from carjackers attacking you at a stoplight.
In neutral: better to not look like an idiot in front of your friends when you forgot you left the car in gear at a stoplight and let out the clutch while leaning over to pick your phone out of the passengers footwell.
#24
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Depends on who you ask really. If you go to the BMW driving school they actually tell you to leave the car in gear. Their whole philosophy is that you should always be ready and always make sure that the car can stop you before anything else. I.E. if your car is in gear, and you get slammed from behind, not only is the brake there to stop you, but the transmission. Or if you need to move out of the way of impending danger asap.
Personally I hate holding down my foot on the clutch as I grew up under my dads philosophy of "let the car rest at stops" i.e. leave the stick in neutral and the clutch pedal up to prevent wear.
There really is no "right" way
Personally I hate holding down my foot on the clutch as I grew up under my dads philosophy of "let the car rest at stops" i.e. leave the stick in neutral and the clutch pedal up to prevent wear.
There really is no "right" way
I ride motorcycle I was told to stop in gear so youre ready to take off if the car behind you didnt see you.