What's your preference at a light, in gear or neutral?

[LCK22GT]

When I stop at a red light I subconciously bump the stick into neutral and release the clutch while I wait. I've seen others wait with it in gear. What's your habit?

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[NightmareMoon]

You're safer if you're in gear, so you can quickly get the car moving if something goes awry behind or around you, so that's the default practice - leave it in gear.

Sure, if you're blocked in and everybody behind you is stopped and its a super long light, go ahead and shut the car off, eat some ice cream, whatever.

 

[Zrussian13]

Pulling up at light that just went red, I go to neutral for a while. Pulling up at a light that's been red and about to change I'm probably in gear. Long lights, leave it in neutral until it's close to changing. If you can't see things around you quick enough to get it in gear and make a move when necessary, your probably part of the problem.

 

[sk47]

Hello; I put it in N when stopped for any length of time. Saves wear on the throw-out bearing for one thing. Also possible to have the clutch plate and pressure plate lightly engaged increasing wear holding it in gear.
I do not know about the safer getaway when in gear. Situation has not come up so far. Guess if i felt such a fear then extra wear on a clutch system would be worth it. Personal choice. I ride with a fellow who holds in gear.

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

Neutral with foot off the clutch if im gonna be stopped for more than a few seconds. if im at an intersection im not gonna be able to go anywhere anyway if someone wants to rear end me. am i gonna drive into the middle of the intersection? I guess there are a few times where this would make sense but in my day to day driving, staying in gear wouldn't make sense.

 

[skinnyb]

Depends. As stated above, if I just caught the light and gonna be there a while, neutral, foot off the clutch. But as soon as I see the other lights turn yellow and its almost my turn, I go back in gear... Has worked for me for 36 years. Ain't changing any time soon...

 

[Postal Bob]

In neutral, foot off the brake. Saves the throwout bearing. and makes the car behind wonder why no brake lights and when I'm actually going to get moving again.

 

[ORRadtech]

I don't see where it makes a single iota of difference. Every stop, turn, slowdown or traffic jam is a different circumstance. If you lock yourself into a particular habit then at some point you will find yourself fumbling. Be versatile, drive to the circumstance and quit worrying about whether your driving minutiae matches someone else.

 

[Bobn57]

I don't see where it makes a single iota of difference. Every stop, turn, slowdown or traffic jam is a different circumstance. If you lock yourself into a particular habit then at some point you will find yourself fumbling. Be versatile, drive to the circumstance and quit worrying about whether your driving minutiae matches someone else.

Same here….im in gear, out of gear depending on situation.

 

[Decosse]

TL;DR : It depends.

In neutral with my foot off the clutch-until I see the light will be changing soon, or the red light is "stale", then in gear foot on clutch.
I was taught to be in neutral at lights- to lower the risk of my foot slipping or being knocked off the clutch if hit and jumping forward.
Also gives the throw-out bearing a rest.

 

[Johnny Rockit]

Hello; I put it in N when stopped for any length of time. Saves wear on the throw-out bearing for one thing. Also possible to have the clutch plate and pressure plate lightly engaged increasing wear holding it in gear.
I do not know about the safer getaway when in gear. Situation has not come up so far. Guess if i felt such a fear then extra wear on a clutch system would be worth it. Personal choice. I ride with a fellow who holds in gear.

That would be similar to carryinv with an empty chamber and safety on. Your clutch is not going to wear out. If it is slightly engaved then bleed the clutch master/slave after you install the braided line.

 

[sk47]

That would be similar to carryinv with an empty chamber and safety on. Your clutch is not going to wear out. If it is slightly engaved then bleed the clutch master/slave after you install the braided line.

Hello; I was not speaking of a faulty clutch assembly. More that while holding the clutch in the driver may relax just a little bit at a long light. I know one guy who would slightly engage the clutch to hold the car in place on a slight hill.

 

[Unbridled5.0]

I stay in neutral to preserve the tob. If need be, I can get on the clutch and back into 1st in under a second. This has worked for 23yrs. I see no reason to change now. Anyone paranoid enough to stay in gear, for no other reason than they're anticipating a rear end collision, is probably leading a miserable life in general. To that, I say relax and stop holding on so tight. Life isn't out to get you.

 

[Unbridled5.0]

I know one guy who would slightly engage the clutch to hold the car in place on a slight hill.

I know that guy too. He had me drive his truck one time and the clutch was shot. Massive surprise there. Lol

 

[Cobra Jet]

When I stop at a red light I subconciously bump the stick into neutral and release the clutch while I wait. I've seen others wait with it in gear. What's your habit?

Same - been doing it for years in any vehicle that is manual trans…

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