I copied the following quote from a Wash. Post forum conducted by a mechanic. Is this sound mechanical reasoning? or has anyone input to back-up or refute the advice?

"To minimize wear on the transmission it should remain in gear (first gear) with the clutch pedal held to the floor. This will add slightly to the wear on the clutch release (throw out) bearing but save wear on the transmission.

The transmission repair would usually cost it least 10 times what the release bearing repair would cost"

It will make you walk in circles too, with the left leg being much stronger than the right.

I'm wondering why he's in first gear. Going from top gear to first you go through neutral. Why not stay there till you need first?

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5 speed '91 190E 2.6 320,000 mi. (new car, fast, smooth as silk six, couldn't find any more Peugeots)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.5l Turbo Diesel 266,000 mi. (old car, fast for a diesel, had 2 others)
5 speed '01 Jetta V6 (new wifes car, pretty quick)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.2l Turbo Gas 197,000 mi. (wifes car, faster, sadly gone just short of 200k )
5 speed '83 Yamaha 750 Maxim 14,000 mi. (fastest)
0 speed 4' x 8' 1800 lb Harbor Freight utility trailer (only as fast as what's pulling it)

"To maximize my revenue and allow me to perform significantly more clutch repairs than I possibly could otherwise, please put the clutch in at every opportunity, especially when sitting at a stoplight. Definitely do not wait, with the vehicle motionless, with the transmission in neutral with the clutch out, because you will delay your arrival to my shop and my kids will starve".

You nailed it Brian.

Better topic would be: why do manual transmissions fail?

1. The synchros wear out
2. Some one forgets to check the fluid or change it.

The best thing about a manual transmission is that you don't have to think much about it. What a joy they are when considering the total cost of operation in a vehicle with a long life.

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DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

Very well put. I slip the trans in neutral and coast to a stop light or sign. Saves gas, wear and tear on engine AND throwout bearing. My manual transmissions last forever and I do very few clutch jobs on my cars. My 240D went 523,000 miles on the original transmission and it is still in excellent shape.

BTW, I have heard people say something like "you can save the brakes by braking with the engine." My response to that is that brakes are ridiculously cheap as compared to engines. I can stop a car MUCH cheaper with brakes.

It costs just as much labor to replace a throw out bearing as it does a clutch.

Have a great day,

On a BMW SMG (manual gearbox with electro-hydraulic gear selection)
Is the gearbox in neutral at a stop or is first gear selected with the clutch pushed away from the pressure plate ?

What else would one expect from a rag like the Washington Post (or the NY Times or the LA Times). None of them has a clue why their circulation is dropping 5 percent a year. Maybe this is what they think is needed to quell the slide. They are utterly clueless.

Given this advice consider the quality of their actual news reporting and commentary - if you can even tell the difference.

At a stop a manual transmission should be placed in neutral with the clutch engaged (pedal up).

Duke

This is a site dedicated to Mercedes Benz automobiles. Maybe you can find a BMW site somewhere for this question.

Good luck,