Dark Sarcasm

I was sitting thru a long light and was wondering if it matters what I do with the clutch pedal while idling at a stop light?
I'm usually clutch pedal in, trans in neutral, unless it's a really really long stop.

Does it matter? Any extra wear on parts while its sitting?

What do you do while idle? Any reason why?

Shakeydeal

I let the clutch out. I do it purely for ease. I've heard differing schools of thought about stress on the bearing, pressure plate, etc.


Shakey

msandym

I have auto but with my 71 4 sp , sometimes I got cramps if I kept it on for long

Velocity_Vette

I always clutch out and out of gear at every stop purely from a safety stand-point. If you're hit from behind and you have the car in gear with clutch in you're likely to have your foot slip off the clutch pedal from the force of impact, lunging the car forward either into either another car or into the intersection. If that means I have to have a minor delay to depress the clutch and shift into gear from a stop so be it. I'm in absolutely no hurry and whoever is behind me can seriously wait the 1 and a half seconds while I go through the motions.

The only wear item I could see from holding in the clutch would be the throw-out bearing.

Shakeydeal

This is actually the opposite of what motorcycle riders do. Clutch in at a stop light and plenty of room between you and the car in front so you can make a quick exit if you suspect the ***** behind you is texting and won't see you in time.




Shakey

nsogiba

Throw out bearing will wear more quickly if you have the pedal in. Only use the clutch pedal when shifting. Not sure why you'd want to even hold it in - give your leg a rest

UM Rebel

Which ever is most comfortable for you. It won't make any significant difference to car.

4XLR8N

Clutch pedal in, you are working the pilot and throw-out bearings. Clutch pedal out, you are working input shaft bearings.

If you have been stuck in traffic with a lot of start/stop or drag racing (i.e. building up a lot of heat in the friction disk), pedal out has the benefit of helping to cool the friction disk as contact with the (relatively) cool flywheel and pressure plate allows heat transfer.

YMMV.

Velocity_Vette

For a motorcycle indeed I would think you would want control over a gear if you're about to get hit, but - from my experience at least - if you get hit in the rear you're pretty much going to not know it unless you're watching your rearview mirror constantly.

Also had to edit my post as I realized I didn't post "clutch out"

grantv

Been driving nothing but standard cars for ~18 years, clutch is always out when standing still.

JohnRogers

I always went neutral at long stop lights.

glbeauchamp

I've been driving manuals for almost 50 yrs and I'm with you...clutch out when stopped.

friou

Always in neutral and clutch out at lights, waiting for trains, anytime I'm stopped for any length of time. Have a good one!

REDHOTS

I clutch out only when it's safe to do so. Everyone behind is stopping, or no one around. Just need to pay attention and get back in gear when needed.

knewblewkorvette

I just read an article on this subject. It concluded you should always let the pedal out at a stop to prevent wear on the clutch parts.

rrwirsi

Been driving clutch cars for 58 years and most time is clutch in and brake on at stops. NEVER had a throw out bearing go bad. Sounds like pseudo mechanics to me.

glbeauchamp

I had a 71 GTX back in the mid 70''s. It ate throwout bearings up for breakfast. First time I changed it, it took 2 hrs. By the third, I had it down to 45 minutes. Traded it in shortly afterward for a 74 Formula Firebird

Tulsaeasyrider

Pounder

GOOD GRIEF ??????

cv67