[QUOTE]Originally posted by RED MX5

 

What about the lurching test? Is a car in 4th more likely to lurch than one in first? I think this is a far more common scenario, which is which is why I posted it. And if there is a curb, the proper orientation of the wheels makes it moot. In fact, many 4 x 4's used to have a clutch interlock override, which allowed a person to put the car in super low gear, and bump the starter to move off of a particularly close encounter with something behind you.

But I would agree that if the scenario is someone's driveway, you are correct.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Road Rage
What about the lurching test? Is a car in 4th more likely to lurch than one in first? I think this is

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nero

 

I didn't hear anybody say anything about releasing the brake pedal before putting it in gear. here are my steps:

1. press brake pedal to come to a dead stop. keep pedal pressed down.
2. apply hand brake.
3. release brake pedal so the weight of the car is on the hand brake.
4. put it in gear.

 

Hey Red, the sad thing is that we don't learn anything about manual transmissions anymore. It's because everyone is so lazy now that they only want their slushy transmissions.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jyeung528
I didn't hear anybody say anything about releasing the brake pedal before putting it in gear.

 

wait.... can u turn off the engine THEN clutch and put it in first or reverse?? isnt it the same?

 

I've been told that it is a bad idea to shift gears with the motor stopped, but I've never actually seen it cause a problem. Just get the car in first, and the brake set firmly, before you get out. If you're on a hill, make sure that the front wheels are turned so that IF the car rolls, it will roll into the curb rather than out into the middle of the street. The details of how you stop and get the car into first gear won't make any difference at all. Just get in the habit of doing all three things, in whatever way seems most comfortable and natural to you.

I think the only way you could hurt the car is by forgetting that it was in gear when you start it up in the morning, and letting go of the clutch with the car still in gear. My wife wasn't real happy after running the Vega into the back of the Bug.

Just as a point of interest, I almost always have the car in low gear when I stop. I almost always downshift, and even if I don't release the clutch in each gear, I don't skip any gears. If I end up stopped where I have to wait for an extended period (more than a few seconds) I'll shift into neutral and release the clutch while I wait. For me, it's very natural to stop with the car in first, so that's what I do. If you normally stop with the car out of gear, then just do what comes naturally.

RED

 

there is no damage done if you change gears while the car is off. there is no resistance since nothing in the drivetrain and transmission are moving.