at stop..better to have clutch all the way down to floor/in gear or out/with trans in neutral /why?

Question

which is better for the transmission/wear and tear?

Answer 1

If you are talking about stopping briefly, at a red light for example, leave it in gear with the clutch all the way in, or at least far enough so there is no drag. Extended idling should be in neutral with the foot OFF the clutch pedal. Any pressure at all on pedal will cause the throwout bearing to turn, and it can be a weak spot. Driving normally, almost no one can wear out a modern transmission, but you can ruin a throw out bearing quite easily. Also, you can ruin a clutch real quick by excess slipping, such as starting out in too high a gear, or holding in place on a hill.

Answer 2

Trans in neutral, and foot off of clutch completely.

When you press on the clutch, the throwout bearing compresses the spring in the pressure plate to disengage the trans input shaft from the engine. This puts extreme stress on the throwout bearing. Throwout bearings are designed to be used for 1-2 seconds at a time while shifing gears or getting under way. Sitting at a stop with your foot on the clutch shortens the life of the throwout bearing by about a day for each 1 minute stop. Riding the clutch unnecesarily also shortens the life of the pressure plate springs as well due to the added strain.

A modern manual trans, including the clutch and throwout bearing, should last the life of the vehicle if used skillfully. That's typically 150,000 to 200,000 miles. If you hold down the clutch pedal at every stop, you'll be lucky to get 50,000 miles out of the pressure plate and throwout bearing.

I'm pretty surprised that the mechanic above stated otherwise. I won't be taking my car to him!

Answer 3

Much better to have trans in neutral and the clutch engaged (pedal away from the floor.)

Pressing clutch down at a stop puts thrust force on the throw-out bearing and also wears the pressure plate springs.

If you want to go a long time between clutch replacements: change gears into neutral and take your foot off the clutch at stop lights; don't do burn outs - start out smoothly from a stop, and also try to avoid downshifting for everyday traffic. Use your brakes for normal slowing and braking - new brakes cost much less than a clutch job.

Answer 4

Put the car in neutral and take your foot off the pedal. Less wear on the clutch. When you push in the clutch it separates the engine from the trans thus it wears out.Keep even slight pressure on it and you cause early wear.

Answer 5

i'd wear my brakes out be fore my clutch its a cheaper fix in the long run i always throw my car into neutral when ever im coming to a stop or to shift down while in rush hour traffric it works good and it less where and tear i never ride my clutch or hold my clutch in all the way

Answer 6

it does not make any difference at a stop,,either way your transmission is at idle,,at this point,it may take you longer to pull out if you have to go through the motion of mashing in the clutch,,and then putting it in gear,,but as far as wear and tear goes on your transmission,,either way works,but your not saving any thing by putting it in neutral,,hope this help,s.

Answer 7

Nutural - Holding the clutch in places undue wear on the clutch plate springs (fingers)

Answer 8

at full stop its better to be in neutral ( not using the clucth at all). Would not matter if you were a member of americascarclub.com because if you were all mechanical repairs would be free of charge anyway.