Manual owners-

A

andysat

Lifer
Hi all,do you leave your zed in neutral or in first gear at lights?-i know this would depend on timing for the lights etc,but in general? I have heard its bad for the clutch to leave it in gear with the pedal depressed?
Thanks.
 
My clutch pedal 'broke' on my old TT, (known retarded issue with Audi) so had I been sat close behind someone at the lights at the time, in gear, I would have been totally at fault for rear-ending a parked car. It happened when changing gear, leaving me driving down a busy shopping street stuck in gear. Turned into a side street, popped it into neutral and awaited a tow. :headbang:

I now dont trust the clutch pedal so leave a good gap from the car infront and take it out of gear most if the time at lights, and cover the brake (not pressing) in case.
 
I am not sure it matters - the clutch is disengaged when the pedal is down, not driving / wearing anything, so what damage could it do ? I have always just had the car in 1st with the clutch depressed when I have had a manual, unless it's a long wait. Where did you hear this ?
 
:D usually put parking brake on and in neutral until lights are about to change, unless I'm at a railway crossing when I turn the engine off (a habit after driving for years in Germany) until gates about to open. I've also heard that sitting 'on the bite' for long periods is bad for the clutch.
 
Incidentally, on the same TT, I had a total brake failure some time after having the cambelt changed as they'd left the something rubbing on a solid brake line. It rubbed through as I pressed the pedal going past a school of all places to have total brake failure! I used the handbrake to get to a garage and let them empty my wallet for another garages shoddy work. :headbang:

Lets not even mention the other two major issues I had with failed alternator / battery while driving at night in the rain hence no electrics at all, or the tie bar almost snapping so the wheel would fall into the arch, in effect, lowering the car.

Audi = shite
 
Ahh, sitting on the bite is different because the clutch plates rub and heat up... Focus ST clutches are very sensitive to this... I burnt one out driving in snow once as I was riding it In 2nd too much. Also nearly failed my driving test for holding on the clutch too long at the top of a hill because of the danger of your foot slipping off :oops:

Surely fully depressed it doesn't do any harm as the engine is disengaged from the gearbox ?
 
markeg said:
I've also heard that sitting 'on the bite' for long periods is bad for the clutch.
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I'd also always believed that to be the case too... problem is, I heard that so longer ago now that I can't remember where I picked up that bit of information... :scratchhead:
Can't think its is the same if the clutch is pressed down though....
 
I would agree there Bing - think that fully depressed is OK as there is no contact between surfaces? Unless my Engineering 101 is well out, will wait to be edu-ma-cated :)
 
Riding the clutch reduces the life of it,even though i have an auto i slip into neutral when held at the lights,and as T2FFN says leave a gap(tyres and tarmac) thats what the GF keeps telling me as that is what they taught her in the Police. :thumbsup:
 
Foot brake and neutral. Rarely use handbrake at lights, and I don't rely on hill assist either.

Why wear my other leg out holding the clutch in.
 
Redzedfour said:
Riding the clutch reduces the life of it,even though i have an auto i slip into neutral when held at the lights,and as T2FFN says leave a gap(tyres and tarmac) thats what the GF keeps telling me as that is what they taught her in the Police. :thumbsup:
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I do this in my auto sometimes, though it can be embarrassing to forget it is in neutral... Results in an impressive noise however :D

I had to do an IAM day after an accident in a company car (even though it wasn't my fault :x ) and was told the same about tyres and tarmac. Reduces the danger if you are shunted, and of course if the person in front rolls back, or stops suddenly after starting off.
 
If you drive a manual, and leave it in first with the clutch pedal pressed, you'll wear out the clutch release bearing. Mrs A does it all the time and is appropriately reprimanded :telloff:
 
Adamski said:
If you drive a manual, and leave it in first with the clutch pedal pressed, you'll wear out the clutch release bearing. Mrs A does it all the time and is appropriately reprimanded :telloff:
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I learn something new every day on here :thumbsup:

Maybe sitting at the lights waiting to hoon off immediately had more to do with my clutch incident than the snow... :oops:
 
Bing said:
Adamski said:
If you drive a manual, and leave it in first with the clutch pedal pressed, you'll wear out the clutch release bearing. Mrs A does it all the time and is appropriately reprimanded :telloff:
Click to expand...

I learn something new every day on here :thumbsup:

Maybe sitting at the lights waiting to hoon off immediately had more to do with my clutch incident than the snow... :oops:
Click to expand...

I didn't realise that either, I thought, like Bing, that clutch depressed was ok as nothing was engaged. Know better now, thanks Mr Adamski!
 
Police Roadcraft and Advanced Drivers Manual (UK that is).......

Approach and disengage the gear by depressing the clutch, handbrake on and into neutral. Saves wera and tear on the car and as Adamski reduces wear on the cluth release bearing.
 
srhutch said:
Foot brake and neutral. Rarely use handbrake at lights
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Apart from the safety aspect, I hate sitting behind people like you at night. Don't forget that while your foot is on the brake, your high level rear brake light is all lit up, destroying the night vision of the poor sod in the car behind you.
 
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