Bad Driving Habits (M/T)

Rone

Wow, Thanks guys. My technique was a little more off than I though. I'm guilty of holding the clutch down at red lights, even though I know the cycle and when the light will turn green. If anyone else has more to add please feel free. This will help me and maybe other keep our Zs healthy lol.

brado

i had no idea that u wasnt supposed to keep the clutch pushed in when u was at a red light haha. ive never rode with anyone that put it in neutral at a red light. and im a little skeptical that its hard on the throwout bearing and that it wastes fuel. my car has 23.2 avg mpg. ive always owned m/t's and the only clutch ive ever had to replace was with my first car when i was fifteen because i would ride the clutch so much. i agree that the Z is not a good choice to learn to drive m/t on.

SP00LN

I'm with him. I'm usually always clutched in and in gear at a red light just in case I have to move fast in an emergency.

This is also my fifth M/T vehicle and I've never had to replace a throw out bearing (just jinxed myself). Only clutch I replaced was due to going bigger snail.

Not sayin whats right or wrong, just my technique.

Mt Tam I am

If it's a long light I am in neutral. If I think it is about to change I have the clutch in and car in gear.

Re: coasting downhill: I keep it in gear and use the gas pedal more than the brakes.

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brado

i didnt think of this before but i would imagine that most people do put it in neutral at long longs such as if u were city driving. i rarely do that so i always leave it in gear.

djpathfinder

I'm clutched in too unless I'm at the bank or Starbuck's drive-thru.

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2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

SP00LN

Ah yes, in that case +1

Nitrouz

My bad habit is that from a dead stop, I throw in first gear, rev up slightly and disengage the clutch when the rev is on the way DOWN. Kind of weird I know, but this habit was formed when I was DD'ing on carbon clutches before. Easier to engage and not jump forward with those on/off switches we call carbon clutches.

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2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia
VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

roplusbee

Haha....aftermarket clutches can be a pain after a while, especially unsprung types. I have only had 2 upgraded clutches on previous cars. Both of them on S13 Fastbacks. One was OS GIken and the other was a Euro brand sprung 6-puck (on the car when I got it). Both on CA18DETs.

But back on topic, I always coast in gear so that I am not on the clutch and not using the brake. When I learned to drive, it was on a MT and the guy told me to get on the clutch....put it in gear....and get off the clutch. So basically, to stay off the pedal as much as possible.

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shoopajae10

+1... I try to stay off the clutch as much as possible too. Only use it to shift it into gear or to pop the stick back into neutral.

Dumb question, while in gear, is it bad if you dont clutch in to pop the stick back into neutral?

chops

ive always wanted to try this...my friends who drive M/T's say its possible and shouldnt harm your car, but you know everyone thinks they know everything about cars

lazywolfe

From the Car Talk guys about holding the clutch in while stopped:

"Dear Tom and Ray:

A friend of mine at work and I have a disagreement regarding using the clutch on a standard-shift car. He says that keeping the clutch pressed in will wear out the throw-out bearing, and I say it won't. For example, he says that when on a hill, the smart driver will put the car in neutral and let the clutch out, keeping one foot on the brake, to save wear and tear on the throw-out bearing. I say keeping the clutch depressed won't cause wear and tear. Who's right? -- Red

RAY: He is.
...

TOM: The second most common type of clutch failure is when the throw-out bearing (also called the release bearing) fails. That's the bearing that pushes the clutch plates apart when you push in the clutch pedal to change gears.

RAY: Used correctly, the throw-out bearing will last much longer than the clutch disc. But if you sit at red lights with your foot on the clutch pedal all the time, you can wear out the throw-out bearing before you wear out your clutch disc. And because that's an entirely preventable condition, we call that clutch murder in the second degree.

TOM: The problem is, if either the disc OR the bearing fails, you then have to replace the whole clutch. To reach either of those parts, you have to remove the entire transmission. And once you've paid for all that labor, you'd be crazy to do half the clutch. On most cars these days, a clutch job is at least a thousand bucks.
"

Car Talk

Armonster

I didn't hear the rest of this conversation, but it sounds like they are talking about resting your foot on the clutch pedal rather than holding the clutch pedal down all the way. I could see how the first option could cause a problem, but still don't understand how the second one could.

Drex

yep exactly what happened on my rsx. throw-out bearing failed due to being lazy and holding the clutch all the way in at lights, stop signs, etc. had to replace my entire clutch for ~$1500.

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2011 Nissan 370z | 6MT | Magnetic Black | Sport Package

EazyD

I did this once by accident
..the car still works. Not sure if it did any damage. Anyone?

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