For those of you who drive manual: Engine Braking or Coasting in Nuetral

[NG9588]

I was curious, as my friend keeps telling me that using the engine to break/downshifting causes wear on the clutch and those components. He insists that its better to just put it in neutral and use the brake. Personally I do both from time to time depending on the situation but I think he's way off base. I was always taught to use the engine and downshifting to slow down the car.

[50bmgshooter]

all depends on the type of driving im doing
around town,highway,hills,towing
alot to consider
I dont think you can ever get a real answer with just thoes choices

[Russian]

Both. You don't want to slam on the brake if you get on the ice patch, don't you?

[NG9588]

Both. You don't want to slam on the brake if you get on the ice patch, don't you?

This is what i'm saying. I think they both have their time and place. But to say one is harder on the car than the other is incorrect i think. A poll was probably the wrong format for this discussion

[louiethe23rd]

I always neutral and brake in my car because If I can prolong the life of the clutch and just change the brake pads more often then it's worth it.

[xcentrk]

Voted downshifting.
a) it's more fun
b) I rather have instant power if I need to hit the gas to dodge some asshole driver in an emergency.

[StrongBeach]

I was curious, as my friend keeps telling me that using the engine to break/downshifting causes wear on the clutch and those components. He insists that its better to just put it in neutral and use the brake. Personally I do both from time to time depending on the situation but I think he's way off base. I was always taught to use the engine and downshifting to slow down the car.

There is no need to use the clutch on any modern auto with a syncro if you know how to shift. The clutch is only for full stops and starts.

[NG9588]

I always neutral and brake in my car because If I can prolong the life of the clutch and just change the brake pads more often then it's worth it.

I can see this on an a used car or something with high mileage. But a new clutch should last a pretty damn long time if you arent riding the shit out of it and burning it up all the time. Of course from car to car it varies too.

[NG9588]

There is no need to use the clutch on any modern auto with a syncro if you know how to shift. The clutch is only for full stops and starts.

I still clutch every shift on my '16 jetta. Just the way I was taught and am used to. I gotta be honest this is the first time I'm ever hearing of this

[50bmgshooter]

This is what i'm saying. I think they both have their time and place. But to say one is harder on the car than the other is incorrect i think. A poll was probably the wrong format for this discussion

also depends on how you release the clutch and also if you only go down 1 gear or more on the down shift
5-4 is 1 thing 5-3 or 5-2 would be hell on the clutch not to mention the valve train

[NG9588]

also depends on how you release the clutch and also if you only go down 1 gear or more on the down shift
5-4 is 1 thing 5-3 or 5-2 would be hell on the clutch not to mention the valve train

I'll never go down more than one gear if I'm downshifting with the intention of breaking. If I need to drop speed that quickly that's where throwing it in nuetral and foot braking comes in for me

[50bmgshooter]

yea most people are smart enough not to do it
But there are those out there that will and do things like that

[LI Ammo]

After 20 years of stick driving and engine breaking 90% of the time, I switched to automatics. I still find myself wanting to downshift, even now after 20 years of mostly automatic driving.
I still own one stick truck, that I rarely drive.
I feel like I'm in control with engine breaking and I feel like I'm free spinning and sloppy with neutral coasting.

[StrongBeach]

I still clutch every shift on my '16 jetta. Just the way I was taught and am used to. I gotta be honest this is the first time I'm ever hearing of this

If you time your shifts to your RPM, there is no need to clutch on the way up or down, up is easy, down takes some practice.

[NG9588]

yea most people are smart enough not to do it
But there are those out there that will and do things like that

I knew a kid, he was driving an early 2000s something, i forgot what car. It wasn't like the newer cars where you have to press the stick down to put in nuetral or anything like that. Reverse was positioned right under 5th. Long story short, passenger bumps it from 5th gear to reverse while doing about 70mph. I don't think I need to tell you the result.