The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Brake or Clutch?

When sitting at a traffic light, is it better to leave the vehicle in neutral with one foot on the brake, or leave the vehicle in first gear with one foot on the brake and the other foot on the clutch?

I guess the real question would be does the truck and /or it's components know the difference or care?

I've been taught that foot on clutch makes the throw out bearing work. So if I know it's a long light I will put it in neutral and hold the brake

That's typically what I do. This morning while driving oOl' Roy to work and sitting at various lights, I started pondering that question.

Yes, the TO bearing spins anytime the clutch pedal is depressed. That also puts a load on the back end of the crankshaft main bearing with the thrust flange on it. Neutral and brakes applied at a long stoplight is a really good idea.
Jerry

Something I’ve been wondering for quite some time, but as soon as I consider going into neutral, the light turns green. Argh!

Your driving a truck older than most of the drivers behind you (some of them combined together are not old enough)

NO one is expecting you to light it off the line when the street tree goes green .

sling it in neutral

And, I’d much rather install new brakes than I would a new clutch 😁

Put it on neutral, wait out the red light.
I’ve been watching for the intersecting light to turn yellow since I was a teen; thinking drag racing thoughts.
Modern traffic lights are harder to view from the side, but I still watch for that yellow ; gets me off the line in a timely fashion.

Or keep your eye on the pedestrian countdown clocks.

As far as taking off the from the line, several times I've had the person behind me slam on his or her brakes to keep from rear-ending me as I shifted from granny gear to 2nd. These tailgating retards around here have no clue how 75 year old, 3 speed transmissions work.

Otto,
I usually always start in 2nd gear for that exact purpose. . Unless on a good hill.
Do you always start in 1st? Just wondering.
Todd

Yes, generally all the time. Starting off in 2nd doesn't satisfy my OCD.

Awww. OK..
Makes sense Sir!

Aside from decreasing the risk of being rear-ended, is there any advantage to starting off in second?

Otto,
for me: on FLAT ground starts, 1st gear with the stock 4-11 rear gears is a waste of time (Too low), Unless on a hill.
Then it makes it simple shifting (For me) up and down (2nd & 3rd). I hardly ever use 1st gear. Maybe just me.
Todd

Otto, are you driving a SM-420 4-speed or a standard 3-speed? SM-420 is normally driven starting in second gear unless loaded or on a very steep hill where the 3-speed always gets started in first gear to reduce clutch slip.

Mike B

His post said it was a 3 speed, but he also referred to first gear as granny gear. I've always heard that term used regarding a 4 speed.

I myself would always start a 3 speed in first, and a 4 speed in second, unless the truck was loaded.

With all of the manual tranny's I've driven, I almost always slide it into neutral just before coming to a stop if I anticipate having to wait for a light, and if I'm not trying to accelerate quickly I will upshift without the clutch. That won't work with my Harley 'cuz it has to be in 1st before you can find neutral.

It's a three on the tree. I always thought low 1st gear was granny gear.

Point of order–-
Granny gear in a 3 speed? My morning coffee session is now unsettled.

Folks, this has been an interesting conversation with a good topic. The question has pretty much been answered on what may be best operation for the life a trucks engine/driveline pieces while sitting at a stoplight and waiting to give it some go juice. Whatever way you all chose to operate your truck, do what works for you, but we're veering off into turning this into mostly chit-chat about the terminology used. Time to move on to another subject please and thanks.