Manual drivers

[Hotouch]

When you are approaching a red light, do you guys step down on the clutch and let the car freewheel, using only the brakes?? Or do you use a combination of both engine brake and brakes??

 

 

Because i heard that many drivers use the freewheeling method because it saves petrols.

 

But i also heard that it will cause your brake pad to wear off faster, so many don't advise on it..

 

[Weiming]

I will freewheel only when the distance is very short. Else I will always rev-match, downshift and brake.

[Cashgoh]

which one would you like to change clutch or brake pad more often?

[Thugstercena]

doesn't really matter though. engine brake give more task to your gear box. which means to a more possibility to maintenance fee. but neutral + brakes is the best way. :) cheers.

[Hermitage]

Depending on the speed with which I am approaching the lights. If I spot the redlight from far away, obviously the freewheeling method is of choice.

 

But if suddenly realised the lights are gonna go red (especially when there's a redlight cam), then it's shift-down, brake + engine brake, shift down again, brake + engine brake and clutch-in to full stop!! Phew!!

[Silverspark]

normally i would shift to neutral then brake. dunno whether its right or wrong but i feel comfortable with it lah. :)

[Xusadnoh]

Prefer to use engine brake(gives u a feeling that the wheels are planted to the ground). Freewheeling gives me no sense of security.

[Ken4555]

the engine breaking rev going up is not very nice to hear... like stressing your engine... so i always neutral when i can unless urgent need to stop...

 

i dont think you save much petrol cause how far can you glide? plus engine still burning petrol in Neutral to keep the engine running/from stalling/run the components air-con etc... but i guess the thought of not stepping the accelerator and the car moving is very shiok... especially when down hill...

 

eg... after flyer on ECP towards AYE.... the other direction cannot cause dont know camera facing which side...

 

 

[Peaceracer]

Try not to freewheel, its dangerous. In the event that you suddenly need power, you are 1 step slower to someone who is already in gear. In the event that u suddenly need to brake, you don hav engine brake to help u slow down faster.

 

In the past i also tot that freewheeling will save fuel, but in actual fact, it doesnt really. When your engine is engage and the accelerator is not depressed, no fuel will be be injected. That sure beats idling while freewheeling.

 

Come to red lights, once i see the lights red, depending on speed, i will release accelerator. Engine brake will kick in which until 3rd gear 1200rpm that i shift to neutral and brake manually. Once stop, i put on handbrakes to free the driver behind frm the blinding 3rd brake lights shining at his face.

[Honkhonk]

plus using free wheeling to stop ur car i think cause ur brake pads to finish faster? correct me if i am wrong. i always mix of engine break n break to stop the car. unless very short dist, then i dont mind free wheeling

[Opel17]

For me, approaching a red-light, I will release accelerator & coast toward the junction, stepping on the brake only when necessary to slow down further, stepping on clutch and brake during the last 5~10 meter. If light turn green before reaching junction, change to lower gear and accelerate to pick up speed again.

I believe if free-wheeling by stepping on clutch, the clutch bearing/bushing will be subject to more wear.

[Kakoyi]

The Driving sch instructors teach drivers to engine brake + stepping on the brake b4 shifting it to nuetral upon coming to a standstill

[Bicolor]

I don't think free-wheeling in neutral saves fuel at all. In the past I picked up this bad habit from my dad who claimed it saves fuel. But for the past year, I not only downshift but double clutch at the red lights, allowing a quick but smooth gear drop, and did not notice any increase in fuel consumption. Even if there are any actual fuel savings, it is likely to be extremely low and not worth the risk, because as mentioned previously, if you need to take last minute evasive action, you have neither the acceleration nor the engine brake you would have if you stay in gear till you come to a near stop.

[Mockngbrd]

clutch in, downshift, blip, clutch out, brake.

 

freewheeling dun save petrol contrary to popular belief, you actually use more fuel cos fuel has to be pumped in to keep the engine running at idle. When you engine brake, u actually cut off the fuel supply when you throttle-off

 

and seriously, how many ppl you know kenna wear n tear maintenance issues from "engine braking", cars are not THAT fragile rite?

Edited December 15, 2009 by Mockngbrd

[NissanGTR35]

in the past i thought "free-wheeling" is the "in" thing cause i saw many taxi drivers did that.

 

now i prefer to use double clutch, makes me look quite pro and at the same time reduce wear and tear to the clutch

[Wishcumstrue]

freewheeling dun save petrol contrary to popular belief, you actually use more fuel cos fuel has to be pumped in to keep the engine running at idle. When you engine brake, u actually cut off the fuel supply when you throttle-off

True. Plus the danger of destabilizing the vehicle (esp in mid turn) when going from neutral back into gear if not executed properly.

 

and seriously, how many ppl you know kenna wear n tear maintenance issues from "engine braking", cars are not THAT fragile rite?

Engines are tough, but not the gearbox.

 

[Bicolor]

Engines are tough, but not the gearbox.

 

True, but if rev-matching is done properly by double clutching, the gearbox shouldn't take much damage. All you should feel is a smooth transition but a sudden increase in traction and ease of slowing down.

 

Some people downshift at traffic lights but without double clutching and releasing the clutch immediately, resulting in the car jerking and lurching forward. Don't know how much of such abuse the gearbox can take. This is one reason I don't let my friends drive my car - a lot of them like to play around wiht gears but yet don't know how to shift smoothly or to double clutch.

 

[Robo]

When you are approaching a red light, do you guys step down on the clutch and let the car freewheel, using only the brakes?? Or do you use a combination of both engine brake and brakes??

 

 

Because i heard that many drivers use the freewheeling method because it saves petrols.

 

But i also heard that it will cause your brake pad to wear off faster, so many don't advise on it..

 

depends on how fast i approach the red light. normally if have car infront i will rev match, down gear and brake to slow the car sufficiently den abt 1 car length den neutural+brake.

 

if all clear no car behind from far push to N. not that wanna save petrol but its more convenient to just brake than clutch + brake. if the lights turn green half way thru den just clutch in change to the apporiate gear to accelerate. this method mainly used at night i must say when traffic is lighter

Edited December 15, 2009 by Robo