For stick shift, when you want to slow down or stop the car, is it better to downshift one by one (as you slow down using the brake)? Or is it better to just go neutral and just step on the brake?
2006-07-16 22:21:11 · 9 answers · asked by ? 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Why add more stress on your clutch when it isn't necessary? Most people only use the downshift method when there is something wrong with the brakes.
2006-07-16 22:25:40 · answer #1 · answered by smokingun 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Brakes are cheaper than the drive train. Leave the car in gear, letting off on the gas, until you are almost up to the stopping point. You downshift if you are racing the vehicle. Some of the true race cars have the brake and accelerator pedals right next to each other.
2006-07-16 22:27:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you take the vehicle out of gear, you lose acceleration control. If an emergency were to come up and you needed to accellerate suddenly, you would have better response time if your vehicle was always in the appropriate gear. Unless you are an experienced driver, it would be difficult to put the vehicle back in the appropriate gear (based on speed and engine RPM) and get out of danger without stalling the vehicle. (EG= crossing train tracks while coasting downhill or you are coasting downhill and the light turns green) Even if you hold the clutch in while you approach a stop, you should still ALWAYS be in the appriate gear should you need to pop the clutch and move quickly. In some states such as South Carolina it is law that you not place your vehicle in neutral and coast on a downgrade. If you downshift and let off the clutch, just be sure to do it smoothly to minimize stress on the engine and motor mounts.
2006-07-16 23:49:16 · answer #3 · answered by vinceking001 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I only down shift when I see a cop in the distance, because my brake lights don't go off! But any other time, it's just easier to go to neutral and slow down.
2006-07-16 22:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by Marky-Mark! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the engine and transmission to drive and use the brakes to stop.
Stopping is what brakes are made for and they can do it alone without help from shifting.
Which is more expensive? New brakes or a new engine/transmission?
2006-07-16 22:30:16 · answer #5 · answered by Sir Sandwich Slayer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Downshift...if you worry about your clutch....power shift down. I only use my clutch when I stop and when I go. My dad (transmission master) says that puts unnecessary wear on the synchronizers. I only fear having to replace the clutch. 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Good luck.
2006-07-17 02:42:51 · answer #6 · answered by jeff s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better to downshift, you will save wear on your brakes.
2006-07-16 22:24:00 · answer #7 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know which is better for the car, but i do know that if something happens in front of you its faster to downshift and let the car slow itself down.
2006-07-16 22:24:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT IS BETTER TO SHIFT DOWN. IT ISN'T AS HARD ON YOUR BREAKS.
2006-07-17 00:54:35 · answer #9 · answered by SHELLIE C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋