Clutch Habits (Auto trans drivers plz don't vote)

what do you mean by heel-toe shifting?

 

sorry i worded that wrong, clutch pedal pressed with the tranny in gear can wear your clutch out faster if you re-engage in the wrong gear and overspeed the clutch... but thats not really what we're talking about so disregard my comment lol

 

i kinda thought thats what happened didn't mean come off shitty

 

I usually downshift, going through every gear under the current one except for 1st

 

It's a way of downshifting that let's you hit the brake pedal (to slow down) and the accelerator (to increase engine RPM to match the next lowest gear) at the same time.

You use the right half of your right foot to take care of the gas, and the left half to take care of the brake. You push your foot down on the brake normally, but you "roll" your right foot to the right to blip the throttle for the rev-matching part.

 

3. I just keep in gear say 5th-6th, truck will gradually slow down. Clutch in when close to a stop.

From what I understand, with our trucks and many modern vehicles the throttle is closed with foot off the gas and in gear. Throttle is open when in neutral, so your burning fuel, and you lose braking from being in gear.

 

In previous cars I would downshift along with braking thru 2nd, just not into 1st.

 

I downshift through all the gears, which I've been told puts unnecessary wear on the tranny. But I've been doing this for 225,000 miles and so far it is still in good shape.

 

Normally I wont do any of the above. I put the truck in neutral and release the clutch, which ends up causing less wear between the friction disk and flywheel since the two are in complete contact with eachother. Of course, many will probably say this is less safe in the even that someone was to come hauling ass behind you, but thats what situational awareness is for. I also do the same at red lights. Clutch out, and in neutral.

The only time I will ever downshift is when the throttle is getting punched. Clutches cost much more than brakes.

 

X2

 

FYI - Coasting in gear shuts off the fuel, idling along uses about 1.5 -2 gallons per hour. I coast in gear, scangauge shows a big mileage increase this way.

 

I had been wondering if Tacoma's do this - interesting.

 

I always downshift, I grew up in the mountains and I have much more control then just putting in the clutch or coasting in nuetral. Plus what Isthatahemi said, better fuel milage keeping it in gear since it shuts off the fuel while coasting.

 

#1 for me...brakes are cheaper than a new transmission or clutch.

 

fuel does not get shut off if it did you would loose engine vaccum thus no brakes.while driving turn you truck off and see what happens.but do this while not on a busy road.only thing i found is fuel injector pulse width is reduced thats it.

 

It really depends on the situation. First rule, embedded in me by my father, is to not wear the clutch out. so I try to not ever hold the clutch in. Brake pads are cheaper to replace than a clutch.
If i need to coast, then I just put it in neutral or leave in gear and gradually slow. If there is plenty of time to stop, then i gradually slow using brakes, and downshift. If coming to a complete stop quickly, after slowing by braking and downshifting, i put in neutral right before stopping. I was told that whether the vehicle is in gear or neutral, holding the clutch in will increase wear.

 

In my old X-Runner I would just throw it in neutral and let it coast, apply brakes as needed.

 

Coast in gear, have read this elsewhere too.

http://www.caranddriver.com/feature...to_a_stop_2c_do_not_shift_into_neutral_page_3

 

i clutch in, pop it into nuetral then coast on the brakes to the light

 

X2, This is how I learned to drive.