How do you come to a stop in a manual?

[loganss]

I've been behind a manual car (the 6) for 4 months or so now and I ran into a situation with some people I work with.

I took a few people out to lunch and as I am coming to a red light I go into neutral and just apply the brakes. A backseat driver starts saying "You're not going to down shift to a stop or anything". It was a gradual stop on level ground so i didn't feel the need to. Then another back seat driver chimes in and agrees with the first one. After they both said they rarely drive stick I threw their comments out the window, so this is why I'm coming to you guys.

I guess in my simple logic I'd rather put more wear on the brakes than clutch cause brake work is less expensive. Am I just being dumb ? If so someone please enlighten me.

This is why I've put up a poll.

[McCorkle]

I let the rpm's drop or downshift if the shift comes to a reasonable rpm. It does put lots of un-needed wear on the brakes and from what I can tell it doesn't really hurt the clutch at all.

[Marc93lx]

I usually let the rpm's drop then throw it into neutral and hit the brakes.

[Intruder]

I blip the throttle and down-shift while applying the brakes.

[RX7_2ner]

brake pads are cheaper than transmissions.

[thegreatelbobo]

I usually just ram whatever I can find. Stops ya mighty quick.

[FE3-323]

brake pads are mighty cheaper then a clutch or tranny. the ideal way to stop is using the brakes. place the car in neutral & come to a complete stop before putting it into first. second is ok while rolling tho. persay if the light changes. my 2 cents.

[lscrx]

I just keep it in whatever gear it's in while applying the brakes... and put the clutch after i've slowed. I only downshift if i'm anticipating the light to change... in which case I keep it in whatever gear will get me the most oomph for my RPM's so that I can squirt through the light if it does change

[Intruder]

Is it true that it is illegal in some states to roll to a stop while in neutral?

[EricM]

not dumb at all...over-using the clutch instead of the brakes is stupid...thats what they're made for...pads are cheaper than clutches

[pigeon]

i downshift and revmatch... but never to first
ever

only time my car see's first gear is when i take off from a stand still

[MazdaMadness]

I usually let the rpm's drop then throw it into neutral and hit the brakes.

Me too

[NegatiZE]

I practice both, depends on the situation. If it's a quick stop, I downshift through the gears. If I'm rolling along at 20mph in traffic, I'll just shift to neutral and solely use the brakes themselves. When more than I am in the car, I downshift all the time because of the increased weight.

[95ProLeila]

I usually kinda do both, if I see a light change or know I'm going to have to stop ahead of time I'll downshift a bit, then use the brakes when I'm closer to where I actually need to stop. Obviously, if I need to stop suddenly I just clutch and mash the brakes. In this case I also usually try to remember to put the lever into the gate for second (leaving the clutch in) just in case I need to maneuver or some such, but that's not all that common.

[loganss]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Knew I could count on you guys to clear this up.

Glad I wasn't doing something stupid.

But those backseat drivers were so damn annoying.