Correct driving of Manual.

[[Tonko]]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

There was suggestion recently that Mark Skaife leaves it in third at the lights, with the clutch in.

BWAHAHAHAHA...
i'll pay that...

[pauljh74]

The "being ready to move" theory is the one I follow. Keep it in gear ready to go. But if you are stuck in a traffic jam and there's cars in front and another 50 behind, you aren't going anywhere and no-one is likely to hit you from behind unless a road train smashes into the traffic at 100km/h and pushes the cars forward, so then I'll use the handbrake and neutral.

People who take it out of gear AND nod off when the lights go green prompt me to echo the flustered priest in some road safety ad a few years ago saying "It's not getting any ********** greener!"

[Powdered Toast Man]

I was taught to leave it in first with the clutch in when I got my licence. Cant say Ive driven many manuals since though and have only ever owned autos. Geez Im a lazy bugger.

Actually the being ready to move thing sounds familiar to me too.

[Steffo]

I put it in neutral at every light. It takes zero effort to do and really, if you're so slow that when it goes green it takes you a long time to put it in 1st etc... don't drive period.

Its funny how many times w*nkers almost run a red to try to get infront of traffic while I sit there in neutral and still beat them off the lights....

[BlewThunder]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

My mum drove MANUAL taxis for nearly 20 years! Someone told her they were cheaper to maintain than autos. She drove XC's and XD's column shifts with no power steer.

And how did she have her gear stick and clutch at red traffic lights.

[Van D]

I leave it in first if the people parallel to me are turning or I know i'll get a green soon.

If not, it's neutral, then put it into 1st when the lights for the other guys go amber or people turning when you're going straight get stopped..

Pretty simple I thought.

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Its funny how many times w*nkers almost run a red to try to get infront of traffic while I sit there in neutral and still beat them off the lights....

It's also funny when someone smashes it to get in front of you then pulls into your lane and slows down. All they are doing is stuffing their car :.

I take off slowish in 1st, build the boost up, slam 2nd and then I have someone pull in front of me. Then I just overtake and leave them in my mirror.

[LTDHO]

IIRC you are supposed to always have your vehicl in gear unless parked.

It is also so annoying when the light goes green and ya have to wait for the guy up front to clutch it. I know it's only a few seconds but those of us up back almost smack into them.

[MITCHAY]

Hence why you don't start to move until the the car in front is moving. :

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Hence why you don't start to move until the the car in front is moving. :

Thanks Captain, but you missed the point.

[castek]

yeh, my instructor told me off for putting the car in neutral at the lights. apparently you have to leave it in gear unless you have parked as LTDHO said. its more a safety thing. it allows you to take off quicker in case of an emergency