Oh - after 25 years I have realised I am driving all wrong and I have to start again.

 

My first car was a Beetle. Under weight, over powered, a sliver of brake pad and often no hand brake. I had to use every gear all the time. I had to slow down with the gears all the time. I had to ride the clutch all the time.

 

Since then I have been driving various temporary and hire cars in the same way. Always using every gear. Never going into neutral at lights. Always riding the clutch whenever possible. And using changing down to control speed at all corners. Working the clutch non stop.

 

And now I am a manual Octy owner. And I have to change. And already I am so confused. Nothing makes sense anymore. I have started coasting into lights. I am afraid of the clutch. I have no confidence in braking without using the engine. Without the clutch I can't feel the car. Ridiculous but I don't even know whether to be in neutral at lights. And therefore I am driving (and stalling) like a plum!

 

:(

?????????

Cool story bro!

I can't help as I drive a DSG. But generally you don't need to use gears to slow down. Coasting I understand is not good and the experts say it's not safe, but you shouldn't need to even when stopping.

Maybe a refresher course is best for you.

Nothing wrong with using the engine braking. You dont need to over use or stress the clutch to do that if you do it right and select the right gears.

As above. Maybe try a refresher course

+1 call an instructor explain what your after and a good hour with she/he guiding you through it will make the world of difference. 

Nothing wrong with using the engine braking. You dont need to over use or stress the clutch to do that if you do it right and select the right gears.

As above. Maybe try a refresher course

I engine brake all the time due to being a mechanic and seeing lots of different braking standards.

They teach you in driving lessons to use the gears to slow down. As for neutral at traffic lights, I just keep the clutch pedal to the floor and stick the handbrake on. Riding the clutch isn't good though. That's just asking for trouble.

They teach you in driving lessons to use the gears to slow down. As for neutral at traffic lights, I just keep the clutch pedal to the floor and stick the handbrake on. Riding the clutch isn't good though. That's just asking for trouble.

They haven't taught that airing here for over 15 years!

Sounds like the OP needs driving lessons, gears are for going breaks are for slowing!

They haven't taught that airing here for over 15 years!

Sounds like the OP needs driving lessons, gears are for going breaks are for slowing!

 

I do recall the words of wisdom from my instructor "a set of brake pads is a lot cheaper than a new clutch!".

I just leave it whatever gear im in on approach to whatever im stopping for, then as i get nearer to a stop, apply the clutch. I dont drop down the gears unless i need to stop quicker than usual

If pootling in 6th I usually block change down to either 2/3/4th then either stop, clutch in, or ready to keep going in lower gear.

Can blip the throttle and match the speed of the engine to the wheel speed on downshifts.

That smooths it out if you get it right .

I used to drive through every gear, too. But now, if I'm cruising in any gear, I leave it there and slow down with the brakes (that way you get a little engine braking). Then when I hit idle, I depress the clutch and continue slowing to my desired speed (or stop) then put it in gear for my next acceleration. If it will be a longer stop, I put it in neutral. I will downshift for engine braking on long descents, though. In that case, it's better to wear the clutch a miniscule amount than to overheat the brakes and lose the ability to stop if you need to.

I was taught to keep in gear with clutch down waiting to go. But I soon drop that habit after passing my test.

I was taught to keep in gear with clutch down waiting to go. But I soon drop that habit after passing my test.

I was aught to take it out of gear, lift clutch and use handbrake, then when it changes to orange press clutch and put into gear. I just press the clutch and use the handbrake now because I find it faster and easier.

I think it just depends on era and location you were taught.

My parents on the other hand were taught totally different. Any my ex that was younger by a number if years was taught totally different to me.

I was taught to use the gears to slow down. I dont rev it round the clock for engine braking. But i do go down the gears. Especially when driving spiritedly.

Didnt think there was much wrong with it aslong as you're not putting excess strain on the clutch.

Wait until you discover heel and toe, it'll blow your mind!

The coasting thing is interesting.  I understand it is illegal in the UK. Does that mean you can roll at all in neutral - even if you are torturous motorway jams?

 

In Finland it seems most drivers have total phobia of the handbrake. Possibly connected to most of the country being so flat. Everyone rolls back at lights. They also don't know the local zebra crossing rules and have not idea about roundabouts and indicating but that's another story!

 

After sizing up replies here, elsewhere and driving (!) the real changes for me are to note ride the clutch at lights on hills and not "pump" the clutch so much when slowing down - and instead skipping gears when slowing down. That is the biggest change - going from 4th to 2nd - that just wasn't happening in a Beetle without instantly audible side effects!

 

Interesting that there are so many schools of thought on whether to be in neutral or not at lights...

 

(OP by the way;))

Edited 9 November, 201411 yr by mcdeli

What do you mean 'pumping' the clutch when slowing down?

I always go into neutral when im stopped. I like to think its better on the clutch.

I dont always put the handbrake on though. I just hold it on the foot brake.

Pumping means my bad habit was that I might change down through four gears slowing down the engine each time and then riding the clutch. If you throw in a tight corner I might use the clutch 6 times when once would have done!

Pumping means my bad habit was that I might change down through four gears slowing down the engine each time and then riding the clutch. If you throw in a tight corner I might use the clutch 6 times when once would have done!

6 TIMES? WHAT?

Seriously?

Pumping means my bad habit was that I might change down through four gears slowing down the engine each time and then riding the clutch. If you throw in a tight corner I might use the clutch 6 times when once would have done!

Im kind of confused here mate.

Not to be rude, but why would you do that? The pedal in the middle is the brake haha.

Im kind of confused here mate.

Not to be rude, but why would you do that? The pedal in the middle is the brake haha.

Post#1: I started driving in a Beetle with virtually no brakes that would do 85 on the motorway

Older cars had a carbon throw out bearing (the one which actually released the clutch) so you were taught to keep your foot off the clutch at all times - except for changing gear.

If you didn't - "riding the clutch" - the throw out bearing wore out PDQ and you were looking at a clutch replacement.

The very worst sin was to hold the car on the clutch when at an incline. You could almost see the black dust.

I have vague memories of it being a test fail? At traffic lights, you had to go through the gears to a stop, apply hand brake and into neutral.

May have been the same at Halt (remember them?) signs, if you were not going to be able to immediately proceed.

Modern cars that I know all have a rolling element throw out bearing so its not so vital from a technical point of view. But once its gone its still replacement time.

There are additional peripheral technical reasons. For example, depressing the clutch pedal loads the crank shaft thrust bearings. They are designed for this, but intermittent use only.

There aren't that many big hills here in UK, so modern discs cope with the heat soak, but crossing the Alps say, is something different. Not the safest place to experience brake fade, yet exactly the place for it to happen, so using a lower gear on descents just seems so sensible (to me - YMMV).

As far as the clutch is concerned, its just another gear change. The engine sees higher revs, but is under no thermodynamic load, just pumping air, which will help it cool for the next climb.