Uncle Fester

When you come to a stop at a traffic light, stop sign, whatever, is it better to press the clutch in while waiting in first gear? Or is it better to leave the transmission in neutral and have the clutch out?

I was told that having the clutch pedal in all the time will cause the throwout bearing to wear faster. Are there any detrimental effects from leaving the car in neutral and having the clutch out? I don't know...that's why I'm askin'!

00CivicSi

If the light is about ready to turn, or I know the car in front of me is about to move, I'll hold the clutch in while it's in first. If I know I'm going to have to sit for a few moments, I'll just leave in in neutral. I've heard the same thing about bearing wear due to holding in the clutch on stops. However, I am quite certain there are not adverse effects from leaving the car in neutral.

00CivicSi

...with the clutch out.

allkingz

I always leave the clutch out. I do remember reading somewhere that having the clutch pedal in will cause a little unnecessary wear and tear, but I don't remember the source.

EVAN_In_A_SPA

I leave my clutch out.. I don't want to wear the clutch too much..

Uncle Fester

I too leave it out with the car in neutral. This will spin the input shaft of the tranmission, but I wasn't sure if that hurts anything (opposed to possibly increasing throwout bearing wear from holding the pedal in). Thanks for the replies!

dangarza

Clutch will not wear if you leave the pedal pushed in constant, as the plate is separated from the flywheel, wear comes about as you release the clutch and makes contact with flywheel and starts moving the car.
Throwout bearing might suffer a little from being constantly pushed in, but it is insignificant.
Best way to preserve clutch is to be gentle on takeoff, ie: Easy on the revs, do not "ride" the clutch, push fully and release fully and quickly after shifts, match revs when downshifting and do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal!
Cheers,
Daniel

3ngin33r1

depends on how tired my leg is after working out.

ruexp67

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dangarza

WhiteS2k

The answer is "Yes"