When accelerating in 2nd gear (normal acceleration), if traffic conditions force you to slow down, is it best to (1) just release the gas and allow the engine to slow you down; applying brakes if necessary? or (2) clutch in and use the brakes to slow down. The reason why I ask is because I have always just let off the gas, but it seems to jerk the car a good bit. Am I doing anything that can damage the car in the long run by this? Sorry if this seems like a silly question, but I've never really had any formal training when it comes to manual transmission. I've kind of had to learn everything on my own. Thanks for any input!

 

If you do that in a road test, you would flunk.
With the clutch in, the car is no different from sluding in neutral, which is improper (and a bad habit). Just let off the gas gradually to minimize jerk, then apply brakes as necessary.

 

Would you downshift into 1st or put the car into neutral coming to a full stop?

 

I always put it into neutral.

 

good luck downshifting to first smoothly at any speed faster than 5 mph


[Modified by dLo GSR, 10:38 AM 5/19/2002]

 

rev match

 

rev matching is sooo fun. plus you get cool points pulling into your neighbor hood at 2 am.

 

I hate to sound like an absolute dumbass but could somebody please explain what rev matching is.. and how to do it.

 

too late

here ya go... http://integra.vtec.net/driving/dclutch.html

 

Downshifting into 1st could be bad for the tranny, even if you rev match. Just push the clutch in when the car almost comes to a complete stop (of course we're talking about normal "street driving").