driving in stop n go traffic

[Kwyjibo]

how does everyone drive in stop and go traffic on a stick shift?

I usually creep in 1st gear and try to keep a 2-3 car distance. but often times people will cut in front of me to take the space.

the alternative is to go back and forth between riding the clutch and blipping the throttle. but isnt that bad on the clutch?

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[Hogie]

You will get some additional clutch wear in heavy traffic using the clutch to creep up. Unless you are slipping all the time it won't cause any major problems.

 

[FiveLiterDreamer]

I use second with the V8 even from a stop no issues and I avoid slipping at all costs.

 

[robb]

Traffic with this GT/PP stick may be the reason I eventually get rid of the car. It sucks. Although I wouldn't have this particular car with an auto. The stick really unleashes the performance in and out of turns. I'll be the first to admit the stick wearing me out though.

 

[Grimace427]

I drive in traffic so often I don't even think about having a manual. 3.73 gears make it real easy to creep along. I ride the clutch as little as possible to keep along with slow moving traffic, but often times I can just let the clutch out at idle and use first as a granny gear just chugging along.

 

[BenisMoney]

Well, I cross the Mexico/CA border every morning for work which is about an hour of stop and go traffic. Manual is not fun in those circumstances but I have gotten used to it.

I recently removed the clutch spring, and for me it's much easier to move my car in 1st now.

 

[Schu]

this topic ALWAYS makes me laugh... driving a manual in traffic is MUCH EASIER and more user friendly than is an automatic in the same circumstances.

you need to get in and out of gear quickly and dont use the brakes... and please, dont ride the damn clutch.

watch a trucker and you will learn how to drive in traffic without braking or riding the clutch.

 

[BenisMoney]

this topic ALWAYS makes me laugh... driving a manual in traffic is MUCH EASIER and more user friendly than is an automatic in the same circumstances.

you need to get in and out of gear quickly and dont use the brakes... and please, dont ride the damn clutch.

watch a trucker and you will learn how to drive in traffic without braking or riding the clutch.

Uh, have you ever sat in 5 hours of traffic in a border line? If you leave half a car space open coming from Mexico, someone is going to cut in. I've been crossing for 5 years and have driven many different vehicles on this route. A plush automatic car is much much easier to drive in this particular environment. 5 hours of this and I have a buff left leg and sore the next day sometimes. Maybe it's because I'm over the hill..

Last 3 years, I have crossed with a Focus ST manual, Explorer Sport Auto, 2015 Mustang Manual, and Audi A3 Auto. Auto is easier hands down.

 

[Walt1120]

Try removing the assist spring behind your clutch pedal, its effect is terrible on these 15's. Holding the clutch at engagement and feeling the actual engagement is much easier w/o it.

The spring pushes harder the more you let off the clutch, and since you need to release the clutch what seems like 75% to reach where it engages, the spring is pushing the pedal towards you rather strongly at the same time your trying to hold the clutch for a sec at where it engages. Without it the clutch is a little more stiff but taking off and shifting smoothly is night and day w/o it.

Theres write ups on how to do it but it only takes like 1 min. I took a pair of small vice grips and grabbed two coils on the spring to compress it and then with the grips locked down I used my other hand to just wiggle it out. Best free mod you can do regarding the clutch on this car

 

[Kwyjibo]

Uh, have you ever sat in 5 hours of traffic in a border line? If you leave half a car space open coming from Mexico, someone is going to cut in. I've been crossing for 5 years and have driven many different vehicles on this route. A plush automatic car is much much easier to drive in this particular environment. 5 hours of this and I have a buff left leg and sore the next day sometimes. Maybe it's because I'm over the hill..

Last 3 years, I have crossed with a Focus ST manual, Explorer Sport Auto, 2015 Mustang Manual, and Audi A3 Auto. Auto is easier hands down.

same situation in NYC. if you creep in 1st/2nd gear and leave too much space in front you, someone cuts you off. then you have to worry about the idiot behind you that is tailgating you in stop and go traffic. I got stuck in some terrible traffic approaching the toll booth yesterday. people were switching lanes and cutting people off just to gain a few seconds. I had to turn on my hazard light so that the guy behind me would keep some distance from me.

 

[MagneticA]

You are going to get wear and tear on a car regardless of how you drive it. I'll slip the clutch daily, and ride it occasionally. You don't want to get to the point where driving you're car is a PIA and pisses off other drivers. I've owned two manuals prior to this one. First one was my dd for 7 years +110,000 miles - no clutch problems. Second one was my dd for 12 years +112,000 miles - replaced clutch year 12. Never had to change the brakes.

 

[Kwyjibo]

what is PIA?

 

[thehunterooo]

opcorn:

 

[deathmonkey]

what is PIA?

It's shorthand for pain in the ass :headbonk:

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