"buford-t-justice" (buford-t-justice)
03/03/2015 at 12:59 • Filed to: None

Is my Uncle crazy?

My uncle suggested to be that if I keep the clutch depressed at a stop light it could damage part of the clutch in the ST, because they made parts of it our of plastic. I think he is nuts.

DISCUSSION (9)

OPPOsaurus WRX > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:03

i dont know but I've heard that its not good to do because there is still contact and it will cause unneeded wear

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:06

Long term it MAY cause damage, highly unlikely though. But as a rule of thumb I always release the clutch when at a standstill.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:07

Builds up heat - a lot of it. Better to shift into neutral and let off.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:08

Quite possibly, but the clutch thing sounds reasonable.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:10

If you do it often and for quite a while each time, maybe. I wouldn't worry about it too much though.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:11

Isn't it a rule of thumb that all uncles are crazy?

Also, I don't know about damage it, but it might slightly accelerate wear.

Though, I've always heard the opposite, put the car in 1st gear and hold the clutch in, vice putting it in neutral. That way when the light goes green, or something happens (say an emergency vehicle coming up behind you) you're not left fumbling to get in gear. Also, if you get ass ended, you'll probably inadvertantly dump the clutch, stall the car, and it will stop, whereas if you're in neutral and you get hit, the car will keep on rolling through the intersection until you hit the brake (which you won't if you're disoriented by the airbag or knocked out).

buford-t-justice > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
03/03/2015 at 13:12

I was more put off by the tone in his voice, like anything other than a GM is crap

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:17

Just ignore him then. Ford can make good stuff too. There's a 15 year old Focus 1.6 around the corner from me that looks like it's been to hell and back, but it starts and runs like new.

As Du Volant > buford-t-justice
03/03/2015 at 13:52

I've heard that keeping the clutch pedal down while stopped can cause excess wear on the throwout bearing. Though if it actually does it'd probably take ten years to actually be noticeable.