What I am doing wrong for smooth shifts?

[rondocap]

What do you guys do at stop lights? I anxiously try to read the other side and predict when it will turn green, so I have time to go from neutral to 1st and get ready.

If I wait to shift to first when the light turns green, it takes me a couple of seconds because I have to go to first, and slowly release the clutch so I don't stall. An automatic can just hit the gas and go, but we have a few extra steps.

So what do you do or think is best?

[dbear61]

Originally Posted by rondocap

What do you guys do at stop lights? I anxiously try to read the other side and predict when it will turn green, so I have time to go from neutral to 1st and get ready.

If I wait to shift to first when the light turns green, it takes me a couple of seconds because I have to go to first, and slowly release the clutch so I don't stall. An automatic can just hit the gas and go, but we have a few extra steps.

So what do you do or think is best?

When I come to a stop, I shift into first (clutch depressed) and leave it there until the light turns green. If you're going to neutral (no gear selected) to avoid keeping the clutch depressed through the light, you either need to hit the gym to strengthen your legs or move to a city that doesn't keep you at stoplights so long.

+1 with Particlewave re: "On a steep hill, I'll usually hold the e-break up with the button depressed to keep from rolling back any."

It takes some practice to coordinate simultaneous release of both clutch and e-brake to avoid either a roll-back or a stall, but once you are good at it, it becomes another grin-inducing act that you just can't get driving an automatic.

Bear