Is it better (if there is any preference) while say going 50/60 MPH in 4th gear [or really from any speed in any gear] and say your coming to a light or slow traffic [so you'd be wanted to slow down/stop] to just 1)shift the car into neutral and use the brake to slow down OR
2)go from 4th gear to 3rd to 2nd etc...?

 

If your getting off the highway or something, you could downshift, but if you are just in city traffic or something, there is no need to downshift. When the revvs get to low just put it in neutral and use the brakes. Clutches are more expensive than brakes.

 

Well, it all depends: Do you want more wear and tear on your clutch or your brakes? Brakes are alot easier to replace and cost less (also good reason to upgrade). I only downshift when I can anticipate the oncoming light turning green, taking a corner quickly or if I wanna pass someone.

But for your scenario I would probably shift into neutral and apply the brakes.

 

Downshift w/ Rav Matching = Less wear on Clutch

 

I see your point, but what do u mean by "(also good reason to upgrade)"? Upgrade what, the brakes?

 

By upgrade, I mean getting some better brake pads at a very minimal cost over the OEM Brake pads. Also you could upgrade the brake rotor and caliper for performance and aesthetics.

 

I guess you're a newbie to driving a stick and or to this forum. But I always drive on the highest gear possible without lugging the engine to save gas. And I downshift if I want to stop quickly or from a highway ramp or whatever. But yea, clutches cost more in labor to replace and I just use the brakes until the RPMs get too low. And yea I'll be upgrading my brakes when they wearout because they are vibrating like crazy!

 

True, once you learn to rev match, the added wear to your clutch is quite minimal.

 

down shift. don't coast in neutral. refer to the "my max is fukked" thread.

 

true here too, if you rev match, you won't even feel the engagement of the clutch. Hence Hell Toe Shift. Race car drivers do it so the sudden weight shift of downshifting won't throw the car off balance. And don't coast in neutral. I always try to be in some kind of gear. Usually the gear that if would use if I was to get back on the gas. Less confusion and miss shifts that way.

 

i think it's always good to downshift so you have a backup method of slowing down and stopping just in case the brakes happen to fail. 1 in a million chance but it could happen.

 

what he said. plus, if the car in front of you stops short, and you have to swerve, you can also just apply the gas instead of clutching and gearing in.

 

Ravv matching when driving a stick shift is a MUST!

Or you can just buy a set of new clutch every 30K miles + have the car jerk everytime you want to downshift fast to pass a car or slow down.

BTW, I think heal toe down shifting is super hard to do on my 2k2 Max. B/C the brake pedal is higher then gas pedal and the wall is too close to the gas which cause me to scrap my shoes to scrape against the wall before I actually get to the gas pedal.

 

i've tried it too, unless you've got super long feet or your ankles are double-jointed...