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I have asked many people this question since I started to drive. When driving a manual and coming to a stop, is it better for the car to downshift, or put it in neutral and coast? I have learned about 50% of people I have asked will do one, 50% do the other. I know in drivers ed class they teach kids to downshift.

The answer I received that made the most sense was in a smaller, lighter car, it is better to put it in neutral and coast. He said it uses the clutch while downshifting, uses the more brakes when putting it in neutral, and it is both much easier and cheaper to put new brakes on a car instead of a new clutch. He thought in a bigger truck, perhaps something with a trailer, would be better to downshift, but didn't really explain why.

Downshifting allows you to keep the car in gear to adjust to speeds and driving conditions. It keeps the engine and transmission talking to each other. You have better control of the car. Just like with how automatic transmissions work. Slowing in an auto trans. gears the car down and allows you to accelerate properly and smoothly. Downshifting allows you the same.

I'm a downshifter, its far more fun to begin with and you constantly have complete control of the car.

I throw it in nuetral because I'm lazy. I also don't drive a stick often so it's easier for me.

Down shifting is fine as long as you're not on ice

Putting it in neutral, potentially loses control. Downshift.

Do you ever shift your automatic into neutral when approaching a stop sign?

I always downshift it keeps you in constant control of the car and allows you to have a better feel from the automobile. I think this one is pretty obvious, at least to me.

Joey (nine toes) Marcoux wrote:Down shifting is fine as long as you're not on ice

I learned that as a yute - it's even worse when your going down hill on ice and do that. nine spins later I was very thankful for guardrails

Downshift.

But that only comes from watching my dad, I can't work a manual unless it is in a video game.