Phill_69

Ok so a friend of mine and I were having a drink and the topic of manual transmissions came up.

When I stop at a traffic light, I gear down and then when stopped I shift in neutral and let out the clutch.
I pay attention to the lights and use the clutch and shift into first shortly before the light turns green.

My friend says it does not hurt just keeping the car in 1st gear and leaving the clutch all the way in to the floor for the entire time you are standing still.

Ok so does it wear the clutch when you leave it depressed at a light ?

Emil St-Hilaire

Same here.!!!
Less wear on my old left leg.

RMurphy

I was taught that keeping the clutch pedal down for extended periods causes premature wear of the throwout bearing. Knowing that I had one replaced on a Miata once and knowing it costs money, I have opted to do whatever I can to minimize premature wear of anything like that.

The rule of thumb I have always operated on when it comes to cars is if I am not actively needing to use something, I don't mess with it. If I am not changing gears or just getting rolling in first, then my foot is off the clutch. If I'm not stopping or not wanting to remain at a standstill, my foot is off the brake. If I'm not changing gears right now, then my hand is not on the gear shift (and it *is* on the steering wheel).

Kyras

Me too. The red lights here are way too long for me to sit there pushing the clutch in the whole time.

Lainey

Clutch is in at stop lights, unless the light is long, and my short leg gets tired.

Chuck S

Throw-out bearing wear prevention is why I'm in neutral with my foot completely off the pedal at traffic lights.

-- Chuck

MAGGIEMAE

Clutch out, in neutral and foot on the brake

boltonblue

Depends on what is sitting next to me

but seriously if it is likely that light cycle will be longer than 10 seconds, it's neutral and clutch out.

S1997

I Agree. Clutch out when stopped.

I have seen several guys, who keep clutch peddle in at stops, have to replace their throw out bearing on the S. Of course you have to drop the transmission to replace the throw out bearing. Also excessive use of the clutch in bumper to bumper traffic puts a lot of stress on the TOB, shortening its life.

RMurphy

Well, that would certainly explain the costs involved in having one replaced! At the time, it was explained to me that it's about as much work as replacing the clutch, so if you have a bunch of miles on it already, may as well do that too. I honestly don't recall which way we decided at the time.