I recently got a 99se manual about a week ago. What are some basic guidelines for good clutch care? What should one do when you're in stop-and-go traffic? Is riding the clutch on first to creep up a bad thing? Sorry for the ingorance I'm still new to manual.

 

You need to wash the pressure plate at least one a month. Just use the same wax you use on the rest of your car.

Seriously, there isnt really any clutch "maintenance" per se. Just remember, any time the clutch is not fully in or fully out, it is slipping and wearing. Um, dont drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, this will wear out the throwout bearing. Dont keep the clutch in/disengaged for long periods, this will wear out the throwout bearing. If you need to, just put it in neutral.

Learn to heel-and-toe shift.

 

When I drive my left foot is never engaged on the clutch when I drive and it sits on the dead pedal. This may sound stupid but what is heel-and-toe shift?

 

Heel-and-toe is a method of shifting and braking you use before a turn. Clutch in, go to the correct gear, brake to slow down and simultaneously use your heel to "blip" the throttle to rev match, and disengage the clutch. Something along those lines

 

Pretty much, but your right heel is on the brake with your right toe blipping the throttle to match revs so not to upset the cars balance while braking and downshifting into a corner.

Pedal placement on the max is not great for heel and toe-ing.

 

I don't know, aren't there different ways of the heel-toe? On the BMW M5 Driving school videos, it says you have to make a "rocking motion" with your heel. So if you have the ball of your foot on the gas, you "rock" your heel to hit the gas pedal.

I dunno, I just remember how clearly the M5 instructor explained it.

 

Can you even hill to toe a maxima? I try but the gas pedal is too deep down.

 

I think if you brake deep enough, it'll make it a little easier.