Ok, just curious how other people drive, and if one way is better than the other .. i taught myself to drive stick so i really dont know what the "proper" technique is supposed to be or maybe it doesnt even matter!... basically, some people will come up to a stop and will slow down and put the clutch in and coast to the stop.. then shift into first gear and go... then others drive where they approach the stop, and downshift into first before the stop - is this ok as long as they are going slow enough?? (as far as being good/bad for the clutch) does it make no difference?? i typically just never shift into first if the car is moving but just thought i'd ask what others do.. thanks!!!!

 

you would normaly downshift through the gears to 2nd. Not 1st usually cause of gear lock out

 

^+1

 

yah i just mean once you can shift into first.. it just seems kind of jerky ..basically its because of how my girlfriend drives my car.. i don't want to tell her not to shift into first like that if its no big deal.. but i guess if the car lets you shift into first, after the gear lockout, its probably ok then huh? ahh i know its probably nothing to worry about but just thought i'd ask

 

Downshifting to a stop puts more wear and tear on your driveline, do not do that for everyday driving, brakes are much cheaper to replace that clutch, tranny, diff. etc...

 

Ditto, no need and not worth the 1st down shift.

 

Downshifting to first while moving any decent speed is hell on that syncro, don't do it and no need for it.

 

Whats the point, just coast.

 

i usually only downshift to 3rd

 

I always put it in neutral when I'm coming to a stop. My dad told me downshifting to a lower gear puts more stress on the drivetrain, like someone else mentioned earlier.

 

not if you rev match correctly.. This is something I wouldnt do driving around.. I would tell her not to do it. I do however occasionally have to downshift into first during very slow areas on an autox course.. just need to rev match very nicely to prevent any kind of wear.

 

Thats my thinking... however, I only downshift into 4th or 3rd.

 

Don't downshift on the Evo. Not good for the drivetrain. Use them wonderful brakes

 

+1 brake pads are cheaper than clutches. I have a similar problem when my gf drives my car. She'll pull up to a light with the clutch pedal pressed and she'll throw it into first and just sit at a light in 1st gear. I keep telling her, you're wearing my synchro plus to top it all off you're wearing out my throwout bearing by sitting at the light with the clutch pushed in.

 

I downshift all the time (w/ rev-matching; also not into first). Also there is a little bit of difference between downshifting and engine braking. Downshifting to use the engine as a brake, very, very bad (use the brakes, please). Now downshifting & rev matching (not engine breaking) while you slow down (heel toeing, so you use the brakes) or go around a turn is fine (if you can rev match and use finesse)