Hey everyone,

I have been a longtime reader of this form and now 1st time poster. I recently picked-up 2009 G37 6mt and have a really dumb question to ask; please be gentle

Why is it bad to hold the clutch peddle down when you come to a stop? What kind of damage can realistically occur?

I am a self-taught stick driver i.e. a novice to say the least. I learned on my 2001 Honda S2000 (dealer had to drive me home after purchase ) and always held the pedal all the way in at stops with no issue. I though that holding down the clutch and break were ok until I started reading this forum.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Michael in CT

2009 Moonlight White G37S Coupe w 6mt

 

If you don't hold the clutch in when stopped then your car will continue to move in the direction of the selected gear or stall when the forward motion can not support the low revs. There is no choice but to use the clutch when coming to a stop.

If your inquiry is more about "riding the clutch" when approaching a stop that is a little different. It is about timing and duration.

In its simplest explanation, use the clutch as little as possible and as much as you need to in order to achieve the driving results that you are looking for!

Happy Motoring!

PS - Congrats on the new car

 

I am also assuming you mean "riding the clutch" which is basically just keeping the clutch down longer than necessary to "achieve the driving results you are looking for". This will just cause the clutch to wear out faster. In regards to normal daily driving, you can keep the clutch in as long as you need to without causing any serious problems.

 

Holding the clutch pedal down puts stress on the throwout bearing but it's not a big deal because your clutch disc will wear out before the TO bearing does. And when the clutch wears out the TO bearing must be replaced anyway.

 

When you engage the clutch at say a stop light and wait for it to turn green, you're just wearing down the throw out bearing. Riding the clutch is different. Riding the clutch happens when you slip the clutch too long during launches, rest your foot against the clutch pedal with the clutch partially depressed during motion, or release the clutch pedal too slowly after shifting.

 

I think the OP is talking about just holding the clutch to the floor while at a stop light instead of slipping the box in neutral and letting the clutch up.
1NEETO basically nailed it with his description.....

 

^ +1. Not really stress on the throwout bearing, but just overuse of it. This is a problem that in my experience will only maifest itself in the 100,000 mile range. If this is your driving style, it means that you are not comfortable with starting from a stop though, so try not doing it and get comfortable dropping the clutch, shifting to first, releasing the clutch and giving gas quickly. vroom vroom!

 

Some people don't know what they are talking about man or you misunderstood the discussion. Holding the clutch peddle down is fine realistically.