Clutch at Stop Light?

LesPaul · 09-18-2003, 11:49 AM

I do a lot of stop and go driving and was wondering if it makes any difference if I leave the car in first gear with my foot on the clutch or is it better to put it in neutral and leave the clutch alone, while waiting at a stop light? I'd like to limit the wear and tear on the equipment.

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RX8-TX · 09-18-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LesPaul
I do a lot of stop and go driving and was wondering if it makes any difference if I leave the car in first gear with my foot on the clutch or is it better to put it in neutral and leave the clutch alone, while waiting at a stop light? I'd like to limit the wear and tear on the equipment.

I don't think the clutch likes to be depressed for extended periods of time. But I trully don't know how it measures up against wear from regular use (with heavy stop-n-go driving)

blizz81 · 09-18-2003, 02:42 PM

From what I know, holding the clutch down at a stoplight isn't that bad, but it will wear on your throwout bearing as opposed to leaving it in neutral w/o the clutch depressed.

LesPaul · 09-18-2003, 03:00 PM

It was my understanding that using the clutch at a stop would wear out some plate. I suspect it is the "throwout bearing", whatever that is.

Thanks.

Rick · 09-18-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LesPaul
It was my understanding that using the clutch at a stop would wear out some plate. I suspect it is the "throwout bearing", whatever that is.

Thanks.

The throwout bearing pushes against the pressure plate to disengage the clutch.

eccles · 09-18-2003, 04:26 PM

Keeping the clutch depressed will accelerate wear on both your clutch throwout bearing and the eccentric shaft thrust bearing. Drop it into neutral and let the clutch out if you're going to be there more than a few seconds.

Squidward · 09-19-2003, 07:07 AM

give a foot a rest will ya???

better for your car
better for your foot

plasmar · 09-19-2003, 09:05 AM

While this is good advice, I have driven many cars using the "clutch-in" method at the stoplight and have not had any problems.

Personally, I don't like to be delayed having to put it in gear when the light turns green.

:D

Doug DeBug · 09-19-2003, 09:45 AM

I will typically leave the cluth depressed and in first gear if I'm in front of the line at a ready to change red light. Anywhere else in the line and I leave the cluth out and in neutral. This gives me plenty of time to get it in gear. I've never had a MT for more than 4 or 5 years so I don't know if this wears that much more than any other kind of clutch strategies. The Mazda manual says to leave it in neutral and don't keep the cluch engaged for extended periods of time. I think the example it gave was when you are on a hill rocking the car etc.

DeBug

blizz81 · 09-19-2003, 11:14 AM

Quote:

I think the example it gave was when you are on a hill rocking the car etc.

That's a different no-no, but a no-no nonetheless. Excessive slippage will wear on the friction plate I believe.

Quote:

Personally, I don't like to be delayed having to put it in gear when the light turns green.

That's one more reason why you should always monitor the traffic around you, and know beforehand when your light will turn green

klegg · 09-19-2003, 02:39 PM

well, maybe a little off topic, but when I am at neuteral whith the clutch off, i get a highpitched whin /grind. when I press the clutch down it goes away. took it to the shop, they adjusted the clutch, now it is worse! I think it is the throwout bearing, they tell me no, what do you guys think

blizz81 · 09-19-2003, 03:43 PM

Quote:

well, maybe a little off topic, but when I am at neuteral whith the clutch off, i get a highpitched whin /grind. when I press the clutch down it goes away. took it to the shop, they adjusted the clutch, now it is worse! I think it is the throwout bearing, they tell me no, what do you guys think

http://www.rx8forum.com/search.php?s...der=descending

Been discussed in a few posts in the tech garage. Not all of those posts are relevant but the first "Clutch Noise" one sounds like the same issue.

klegg · 09-19-2003, 05:28 PM

Thanks I will cheack it out

zerohour · 09-20-2003, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Squidward
give a foot a rest will ya???

better for your car
better for your foot

Im with ya on that one !............ unless your on the one legged power lifting team.

ferg · 09-22-2009, 08:40 AM

bump for old school post

White_Shadows · 09-22-2009, 05:34 PM

What ever you are comfortable with. Yes in theory (haven't looked at if it is a diaphram spring or coil spring, but I assume diaphram) you are collapsing the metal, but it is designed for it. If you are driving your car normal you won't have issues with the diaphram. Anyone who has played with dry clutch motorcycles know that when the clutch is released in nuetral the plates are spinning at full engine rpm loose. More damage will be seen that way (friction plates will glaze) then if you pull it in and the clutch stops.
I donno one of those what oil is better type questions. Personally I engine brake in my car and motorcycle to save wear on the brakes and to be in the correct gear, I leave the clutch depressed and in first gear for ease of launch. Never once have seen an issue.