I had my 2002 Z06 w/6K miles in for some warranty work (column lock recall, right door not unlocking, bad washer fluid censor, etc) and complained about how it sometimes will not go into 1st gear when I get the green light at a stop light and I have to start from 2nd.
It is the case where it goes halfway into first but not fully in and will pop back out if you let the clutch out. I got a technician to try it while I was there and he reproduced it a few times, and called GM tech support center (or whatever it is called) about this, but the end result is to drive it some more for now which I am not happy with.

Anyhow, when you come to a stop light that you know will be long as you arrive for example right as it turns red, do you shift to neutral and let the clutch out, or leave it in 1st gear with the clutch pressed to the floor?

I wonder if the user manual says anything about this...

-kg

 

I shift to neutral and release the clutch as I am approaching the light. I have been doing this for 20 years.

 

 

I just downshift and then when I get close to the light, put in the clutch, stop and shift to first, so I'm ready when the light turns green.

X

 

Better to leave it in neutral with the clutch engaged.
Holding the clutch pedal down increases the wear on the through-out bearing and the thrust bearing both of which are explensive to replace.
However, in all honesty, I have never worn out a thrust bearing before the clutch.

 

I do both!

 

I usually never downshift unless braking hard at high speed. Downshifting just gives more wear to the clutch. Pads are a lot easier to change Depending on the light I will wait with car in neutral. Less wear on throwout bearing. Some jurisdictions have laws against coasting up to a light in neutral. They feel if you need to make an evasive manuver you won't be able to. Makes sense.

 

Depend upon how long the light is!

I'll use neutral approaching a stop - clutches cost more than brakes!

 

I let the car slow in gear as I aproach the light and listen to the gurgles and pops from the stingers.. Then out of gear and clutch dis-engaged. No cluthc issues, but mine is a bit noise when out of gear and clutch out when cold.
Dave

 

I always shift into neutral and let the clutch out.

I have also found that if mine does not go easily into first gear, if I pull it into 2nd or 4th, then go directly to 1st, it almost always goes into 1st more easily once things are lined up.

 

, but I may downshift a bit also, depending how fast I'm going & how quickly I need to slow down.

 

Neutral for me.

 

I shift to neutral and let the clutch out.

 

Have to agree with chiefDave. Like to hear the exhaust pop as I slow down. Depends on the length of the light as to whether I stay in neutral or shift to first.

 

I've been driving a stick (cars and motorcycles) as long as I've been able to drive (20+ years) and I've never burned up a clutch. I even put nearly 200K miles on one car without ever needing to put a clutch in it and I "drove" the car too.

It doesn't hurt the clutch to slow the car down in gear and then press the clutch in right before you stop. Maybe if you put the clutch in a half mile from the light, but not right before you stop. I'd rather slow down in gear than just pop it in neutral. Just my preference.

X

 

I go to neutral with the clutch out, then anticipate the light change and shift into first.

If you've got your windows down and the radio off, you might notice that the sound of shifting from N to 1 is audible outside the car - very like racking the slide on a pump shotgun...

Click-ka'chik!

But I've only been driving a stick for a little over a year.

 

I do it many different ways. I'm not really set in any one habit...although I will admit to practicing my heel toe stuff when I get the chance.

 

Neutral at the light with my right foot on the brake, you don't want someone coming up behind you and thinking you're not stopped.Save the Wave.>george

 

I go to neutral with the clutch out. As the light changes, I put the clutch in, shift into first, and go.

For casual driving, I use the brakes instead of downshifting. I figure brake parts and labor is cheaper than clutch parts and labor.

dave

 

yes