hi, i was wondering, what is the best way to come to a stop in a manual transmission. should i just throw it in neutral, or should i downshift through each gear. my friend drives a manual 94 camry and he just throws it in neutral whenever he slows down, whether its for a stop light or a regular turn. he drives it so lazily. i feel a manual should be driving with more excitement. lol. anyway, i hate that he just throws it in neutral, it just looks boring. ill hopefully be getting my 91 accord (manual) in May so ill able to drive the way i like. but which way is more practical and which is more fun. i like fun.
2007-01-31 11:58:53 · 12 answers · asked by thatdude 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
many people will tell you not to "ride the clutch" because it can cause damage, which really isnt true in modern cars. it did used to happen slightly in cable operated clutch cars, but it doesnt matter in modern hydrolic clutch cars.
its better to wear the brake pads a bit more than it is to wear the clutch by downshifting through each gear. clutches are far more expensive to replace, and downshifting is much harder on them than upshifting. its also harder on your engine (a bit).
and downshifting to a stop isnt all that much fun. when youre driving around town, theres nothing wrong with shifting lazily. youre not on a racetrack. its still more fun than any auto though.
that being said, i do often downshift to a stop in my STi, simply for practice (I track the car, so faster downshifts are important to me), but i have no reason to outside of practice, and when im feeling lazy, i do just coast to a stop.
2007-01-31 12:06:26 · answer #1 · answered by Kyle M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to drive with more excitement, learn to float the gears, and down shift, do the same going up. Sounds a lot better if you have a loud muffler. Makes people think you are truck.
Float means, shift with out touching the clutch, takes a little practice, get the engine rpm and the speed of the car at the correct point and shift, this does not wear the clutch and saves on the brakes, and makes you pay more attention to the road conditions and what is in front of you. Also gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Will keep you on your toes, you will get in a lot less trouble.
2007-01-31 20:25:34 · answer #2 · answered by George O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If im traveling at a high speed then i tend to downshift through the gears. If im going like 30 or 40 miles per hour and have to come to a stop i just put it in nuetral...then just pull out normally from the stop. As for turning without stopping i generally just get it down to second which is generally good enough to make a turn without stalling the engine.
2007-01-31 20:09:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way YOU prefer to operate a manual transmission sounds thrilling, and more fun. Until you run into the expense of having to replace your clutch. Your friend is very practical about preserving the life of his clutch by the sounds of things because that is the method that prolongs it. Driving the way YOU would like to, would shorten its lifespan. To put things into perspective, the cost of clutch replacement is about 5 to 8 hours of labour depending on the vehicle. This is plus the additional cost of the parts, which usually run about a couple hundred dollars, give or take. Just my two cents.
2007-01-31 20:09:39 · answer #4 · answered by Michael 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
practice shifting up the gears then downshift through the gears preferably in a large parking lot with no other cars around.
and yes it is FUN to downshift around a corner just practice
practice and practice some more . GOOD luck and enjoy your new car.
2007-01-31 20:14:58 · answer #5 · answered by LORD V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i drive a manual, and when i want to come to a gradual stop, i slowly downshirt to 2nd gear and then press the clutch, the brake and then i put it into N.
however when i need to make a quick stop, i just press the clutch, the brake and then stop, then shift into first gear.
2007-01-31 20:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by magiceye81 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see many wrecks in your future...
It is more economic to put your trans in neutral and just coast to a stop. If you want some fun check out http://www.scca.com Then you can start having some real fun.
2007-01-31 20:39:00 · answer #7 · answered by quick_ridez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you really don't need to downshift unless your coming to a complete stop
just push on the brake and as you do make sure you put the clutch in
2007-02-02 00:04:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would/ do put into neutral, unless im now the light will change soon then i put the clutch in and put it into 2nd and coast slowly then take it into higher rpm. when you go through a corner down shift it.
2007-01-31 20:51:56 · answer #9 · answered by madhouse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just always put it in neutral. sometimes when i was lazy though i would leave it in the gear i was in until i got to the speed i was restarting at and then put it in the necessary gear.
im sure you will do how you feel when you get it tho. congrats i am sure you are excited.
2007-01-31 20:07:32 · answer #10 · answered by Lindsey G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋