Using clutch while neutral

Strangler · 12-22-2011, 07:49 PM

I've always been wondering. Do you put your car in first gear when you're at a stop light? Someone told me by doing that it will wear your clutch out faster. Is that true?

After hearing that I've always put the gear in neutral at all stops.

Skeeterbop · 12-22-2011, 07:53 PM

i don't think it would really make the clutch wear noticeably faster. But i tend to put it in neutral so i don't have to hold the clutch pedal in.

PluckyPurcell · 12-22-2011, 07:58 PM

On one side...When your clutch is disengaged the throw out bearing will wear so to avoid that wear stay in neutral with the clutch out.

On the other...Staying in 1st with the clutch engaged will allow you to react quicker if your stopped and some idiot is about to rear end you.

Personally, I stay in neutral at lights.

kenchan · 12-22-2011, 08:25 PM

I'm in neutral and off the clutch as much as possible during a stop. And yes, it does wear the throw out bearing if you clutchin for a long time

bjblackout · 12-22-2011, 10:04 PM

Neutral and clutch out for me!!

TheGreatOne · 12-22-2011, 10:31 PM

I used to always stay in gear until i heard about wearing the clutch out.

So now its Neutral most times...slower start off

I know downshifting into 1st also isn't "recommended" but with Syncro Rev Match...oh man does my Z sound mean coming to a stop..can't help it sometimes.

srbrubak · 12-22-2011, 10:48 PM

I also put it in neutral and let the clutch out at lights. I watch the light and when it goes yellow for the cross traffic, I put in gear so that I can go as soon as it turns green.

Z_ealot · 12-22-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srbrubak

I also put it in neutral and let the clutch out at lights. I watch the light and when it goes yellow for the cross traffic, I put in gear so that I can go as soon as it turns green.

same here for me, most times when i see traffic slowing in front of me i just downshift to let the engine slow me down until i need to step on the brakes and then put it in neutral.

mantella87 · 12-22-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

I'm in neutral and off the clutch as much as possible during a stop. And yes, it does wear the throw out bearing if you clutchin for a long time

Exactly. You put a load on the TOB when you hold it in gear because the TOB seperates the clutch disc from the pressure plate to stop power transfer. Just put it in neutral for prolonged stops.

Jsolo · 12-22-2011, 11:32 PM

^^All of the above. Usually in N.. I'll keep tapping the brake at random intervals until there's the car behind me has come to a complete stop, then off the brake/clutch until i'm ready to move again.

m4a1mustang · 12-22-2011, 11:59 PM

Always in neutral when stopped at a light.

KillerBee370 · 12-23-2011, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Always in neutral when stopped at a light.

What he said.

AlexRaymond19 · 12-23-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler

I've always been wondering. Do you put your car in first gear when you're at a stop light? Someone told me by doing that it will wear your clutch out faster. Is that true?

After hearing that I've always put the gear in neutral at all stops.

Do what ever is most comfortable for you! The wear is so minute that it doesn't matter... I dont care what anyone says. Now if you get hit while at a stop light and you are in first gear and your foot slips and you hit the gas at the same time you might be screwed... But honestly the wear is so minor with keeping your foot on the clutch that it does not matter one bit. Does it wear? YES, are you going to make repairs earlier because of it? Maybe by a week earlier then you would anyway... The chances of something else having to be replaced first is much greater than you wearing out the throw out bearing. Keep it in neutral for good practice and safety, not because you will wear your car out...

happytheman · 12-23-2011, 01:48 AM

Neutral, off-clutch..but always watching rear view for approaching arse-driven coaches.

AlexRaymond19 · 12-23-2011, 01:51 AM

I find myself sitting at stop lights in neutral with foot off the breaks... bad habit, cuz if i get hit from behind im going to go forward and hit the car in front of me... Best practice is foot on break, car in neutral, clutch let out.

12-22-2011, 07:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Strangler Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CA Posts: 260 Drives: 10 370z Touring 6MT Rep Power: 15	Using clutch while neutral I've always been wondering. Do you put your car in first gear when you're at a stop light? Someone told me by doing that it will wear your clutch out faster. Is that true? After hearing that I've always put the gear in neutral at all stops.

12-22-2011, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Skeeterbop A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Bliss, TX Age: 40 Posts: 1,440 Drives: 2011 GM 370 base SP Rep Power: 16	i don't think it would really make the clutch wear noticeably faster. But i tend to put it in neutral so i don't have to hold the clutch pedal in. __________________ Srenity: "Yeah no rest needed to spread the love when your 20 that's for sure...."

12-22-2011, 10:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheGreatOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Age: 46 Posts: 1,980 Drives: E60 BMW M5 Rep Power: 21	I used to always stay in gear until i heard about wearing the clutch out. So now its Neutral most times...slower start off I know downshifting into 1st also isn't "recommended" but with Syncro Rev Match...oh man does my Z sound mean coming to a stop..can't help it sometimes. __________________ 2017 SUBARU STI 2008 E60 M5 - SOLD 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z - SOLD (and missing her)

12-22-2011, 11:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Always in neutral when stopped at a light. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

12-23-2011, 01:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1822	Neutral, off-clutch..but always watching rear view for approaching arse-driven coaches. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

12-22-2011, 07:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
PluckyPurcell Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: 353018 811254 Posts: 72 Drives: '11 Z Roadster GM M6 Rep Power: 14	On one side...When your clutch is disengaged the throw out bearing will wear so to avoid that wear stay in neutral with the clutch out. On the other...Staying in 1st with the clutch engaged will allow you to react quicker if your stopped and some idiot is about to rear end you. Personally, I stay in neutral at lights.

12-22-2011, 08:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	I'm in neutral and off the clutch as much as possible during a stop. And yes, it does wear the throw out bearing if you clutchin for a long time

12-22-2011, 10:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
bjblackout Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 373 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 13	Neutral and clutch out for me!!

12-22-2011, 10:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
srbrubak Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 144 Drives: 2010 370Z Blue 6MT Rep Power: 15	I also put it in neutral and let the clutch out at lights. I watch the light and when it goes yellow for the cross traffic, I put in gear so that I can go as soon as it turns green.

12-22-2011, 11:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 14	^^All of the above. Usually in N.. I'll keep tapping the brake at random intervals until there's the car behind me has come to a complete stop, then off the brake/clutch until i'm ready to move again.

12-23-2011, 01:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
AlexRaymond19 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 771 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 15	I find myself sitting at stop lights in neutral with foot off the breaks... bad habit, cuz if i get hit from behind im going to go forward and hit the car in front of me... Best practice is foot on break, car in neutral, clutch let out. __________________ 2010 370Z Touring MT \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Momentum\| Z1 \| Fast Intentions \| Advant Garde \| RE11 \| Swift \| SPC \| Quaife \| Whiteline \| Evo R \| 322RWHP 259ft-lb Mustang

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