What?s the right way to stop at a red in a standard? - The Globe and Mail

An interesting discussion about how to approach a stop using a manual transmission. I leave it in gear 2 or 3 until the last minute, then simultaneously press the clutch and brake to a complete stop. At red traffic lights I'm in neutral with a keen eye on my rear view. If I see someone approaching from the rear too quickly I'll pop into 1st.

 

I come to a stop in 3rd/2nd gear if I know the light is about to turn green or if I'm stopping at a stop sign and I know I need to put it in 1st gear right away.

If I know I'll be at the light for a bit, I'll sometimes coast in neutral from about 30 mph or lower.

I also slow down in gear, but put it in neutral right before the car is coming to a complete stop -- I probably do this method the most.

 

I always coast to a stop if there's plenty of distance.
I don't even need to use the clutch, by timing it right, the stick will slip into neutral like butter.
Been doing this for 20 years...reduce wear-n-tear on tranny...get awesome MPG.

 

Coming from motorcycling, it's always a good idea to be in gear when stopped at a light in the event you need to make a quick "getaway" from a driver not stopping. I stay in gear until the car behind comes to a stop at least. Nothing stopping the driver from being inattentive and running into me after coming to a stop though. That happened to me, but luckily I was in my pickup. Truck behind me got distracted and just started going while I was stopped. I was like WTF...

 

depends on the car. some MT cars fuel cut at near 3k rpm where as some cars like just above 1.2k rpm. i use the fuel cut bump to get the car out of gear without using the clutch unless im approaching a stop quickly in my AWD car and prefer to disconnect the drivetrain as it can drag the car longer to stop. and this depend if im going down a hill, i might use 2nd gear to engine brake longer, etc.

just before the car stops completely i clutch-in and slide the shifter into the 1st gear gate without clutch-out. once stopped, im in neutral, clutch-out. this helps the shifter to go back into 1st gear as the collar is aligned for when the light turns green.

 

Depending on what (or who) is around me, I basically try to coast to a stop. Been consciously trying to improve my mileage bit by bit.

 

the fuel cuts off when youre coasting so you're not wasting gas while coasting in gear...but you will coast farther in neutral, yes.

on my post above i shouldve posted when the fuel cut is bumped by the idle map(or watever it is) while slowing down i use that little bump in throttle the car applies on its own to get the car out of gear without the clutch.

 

According to my Scangauge the Fit does fuel-cut engine braking down to 1200 rpm. You can feel the "bump" when it turns the fuel back on.

 

The right way ??? Don't stall it...

 

Never Mind.