i almost never down-shift when i approach the red light. all i do is release the shifter to the middle N. is it better to down-shift & the way i'm doing is fine?

 

I only downshift, if coming at the light quickly, otherwise I roll up in N...
Evan

 

yea, my point is down-shifting is definitely more fun, but is it necessary to do?

 

I don't think it is...I wouldn't say necessary, there may be pros and cons, but not necessary...
Evan

 

I look at it this way: Your going to stop either way, right? Over time you will spend alot less on brake pads than you will on a new clutch and premature engine wear. No need to use engine braking unless you want to sound badass approaching the light. With braking systems on these cars, you actually take longer to stop when messing around selecting lower gear and feathering out the clutch than just slipping into neutral and mashing the brakes.

 

that's what i thought too. thanks for clear that up!

 

if you need to make a quick move for safety reasons you'll be fawked if you're in neutral

 

why i ask this...

a Honda Civic friend of mine told me he just learned "proper" down-shifting...

he thinks it's cool & asks me do i do it,
i was like... no, i use my brake!

Civic guys always think they're cool
when i took him for a ride in TT, he nearly pissed in my car

 

sorry, pee... not ****. what was i thinking...

 

offroad has a debatable point. You can always stay in gear and use the brakes to stop. You don't need to downshift in order to brake the car however. I don't sit at the light in gear with the clutch engaged. You have to go to neutral at some point.

 

I think the situation varies depending on where you are and traffic conditons, etc. Brakes are less costly to replace, but nothing beats doing some quick heel-and-toe double clutch downshifts from 60- 10mph. That being said, on my daily commute, I usually slow down with my brakes and put the car in neutral just before coming to a complete stop.

 

I think you should not be in N at a light just in case someone almost rear ends you - I always keep it on 1st both hands on steering and looking around for any retards...of course if there are chicks in the next car the story is different (j/k)

 

Someone mentioned that staying in gear at the light can lead to premature clutch bearing failure. Is this true???

But I can see the logic msindi has presented and makes sense....

 

Sitting with the clutch in on a motorcycle for extended periods of time is definitely a no-no in terms of long-term wear. Clutch plates grinding together etc. I'd assume that the same principal applies with a car clutch doesn't it?

I downshift, when slowing down, but tend not to engine brake i.e. get braking in first and rev blip as necessary- same principal racing schools teach - brake with the brakes, not the engine.

I'm deffo in the camp of wanting to have the ability to move if necessary by being in gear as I roll to a stop.

How many of you engage the park brake when stationary vs. sitting with your foot on the brake or slipping the clutch. Never ceases to amaze me how many people rock their cars back and forth slowly but surely destroying their clutch. I bet that could be a whole other thread.