Coasting to a stop vs down shifting to a stop in manual transmissions

[TiGeo]

I drove the Trans Am today and never really thought about until this thread made me...
I do a combination of things depends on road conditions, traffic conditions, road grade, etc.

As do most of us I suppose...like you when I drive the stick we have I don't think about what I'm doing too often...I just do it.

 

[demarpaint]

As do most of us I suppose...like you when I drive the stick we have I don't think about what I'm doing too often...I just do it.

Correct, it becomes second nature, like walking. Something you just do with putting little thought into it.

 

[2heeldrive]

Sorry, the brake pad thing is not really relevant. REV matching always, been driving sticks in many countries and always down shifted with double clutch, done it 56 years !! couldn't change, muscle memory !! BTW changed one clutch in that entire time, and that was on a car i bought used

99% of the drivers out there have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I still DD a manual BMW. I’m not downshifting that. I coast all the time. Got about 160k out of the original clutch. The last thing I need is to wear another thing out. The Dual Mass Flywheel alone is almost $1k and a wear item. I’ll replace the brakes 5x if I have to.

 

[Luftmasse]

I only down shift when necessary and put in neutral to coast and brake most of the time. My clutch is still good after 220k miles.

 

[supton]

I still DD a manual BMW. I’m not downshifting that. I coast all the time. Got about 160k out of the original clutch. The last thing I need is to wear another thing out. The Dual Mass Flywheel alone is almost $1k and a wear item. I’ll replace the brakes 5x if I have to.

Doesn’t the DMF wear when rpm changes? I had one wear out but the clutch was just fine.

 

[TiGeo]

You know, whatever I do/how I drive a stick must work - had sevearl and never had a new clutch. My record is the MK4/'00 Jetta we bought new with the 2.0/5-speed. Sold after 14 years/220K on original clutch, second owner drove it to about 300K I believe and that was still the OG clutch. I'm not changing anything I do! Just drove my Focus - 115K on it and clutch feels great.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Doesn’t the DMF wear when rpm changes? I had one wear out but the clutch was just fine.

Yeah, or lugging the engine, hard launches, many things. I figure the less shock is better.