Eric Yates writes:
> Okay, I've been following this thread carefully trying to find out if my
> driving habits are rough on my car. Can someone please review (without
> reopening debate) what seems to be the general list consensus on these
> issues:
>
> 1. Starting with car in neutral, clutch pedal out: good/bad/no difference?
> I usually do it this way. It seems most listers think it's either a good
> habit or doesn't matter.
>
Good, but I've already bleated enough on this one :)
>
> 2. Sitting at traffic lights in neutral, clutch pedal out: good/bad/no
> difference? I often wait at red lights with my car in gear and the clutch
> pedal to the floor. No idea what the vote is on this one.
>
Good for the throwout bearing, which would probably last anyway. Bad for
safety reasons according to others and maybe they can detail further.
> And here's another couple questions I was wondering about:
>
> 3. Coming to a near-complete stop at a stop sign and pulling away in 2nd
> gear. Good/bad/no difference? I have to admit I do this often too.
>
Bad if a cop's watching, otherwise OK (assuming that excessive clutch slipping
or engine lugging doesn't occur) thanks to the short gearing. I do the same
thing;
I'll even start in second from a dead stop if I'm going downhill.
> 4. The only manual shift vehicles I had ever driven before getting my
> Spitfire were motorcycles. My clutch habits come from that training I
> guess. When I want to slow down in my Spit, the first thing I do is depress
> the clutch pedal (as well as letting off the gas of course). Then I brake
> and downshift. This sounds like such a dumb question, but is this the
> normal procedure? If so, is it good/bad/no difference? I imagine the only
> alternative is to let off the throttle and let the engine do some "braking"
> before downshifting. Seems to me that would result in increased wear on the
> mechanicals. Thoughts?
>
Engine braking is actually encouraged as it does no harm to the engine but
will save wear on the brakes. In extreme cases (a long downhill), coasting
and
riding the brakes could cause them to overheat and "fade". It is also OK to
brake
while the car is still in gear, just don't let the revs drop too far before
putting in
the clutch. Make sure while coasting to a stop with the clutch pedal in that
you always have the car in the correct gear should sudden evasive action
become necessary. Are you "double clutching" your downshifts? - very
satisfying when you get it right and it does save wear on the tranny synchros.
I still haven't mastered the "heel and toe" thing, I still mess it up about
half
the time.
HTH
-Greg
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