is coasting bad for my car?

[kaitiemybug]

when i was learning how to drive manual my driving instructor would tell me not to keep the clutch pressed in (coasting) when turning corners at a safe speed. i have no idea why but i still sometimes do it!! can this damage my clutch or gear box? obviously i drive a manual its an 84 nissan pulsar.

 

[LovernotaFighter]

Any time you use the clutch it is slightly wearing it out (like brake shoes). But unlike brake shoes, the clutch plates are NOT cheap to replace.

So you should try to NEVER hold the clutch pedal down. Either use it or get off it. Some people have a bad habit of holding down the clutch for 30 second to few minutes while waiting for the light to turn.. every second adds up (wearing the throw out bearing - which is the same labor cost to remove the clutch).

It is the same reason why you should NOT "ride" the clutch as that also wears out the bearing.

Of course there are times, when you're trying to cross an intersection and you have no choice. But I'm talking about just holding down the clutch while clearly the light is red, or coasting, etc.

*** Again, use it (to shift) or get off of it. ***

Good Luck....

P.S. the next guys say no damage. My first car, I used to hold down the clutch (coasting, etc.). Eventually the clutching because hard and not smooth. I took it apart myself and learned WHY holding down is bad with my own eyes. Staying OFF the clutch is a good EASY habit that does nothing but good for the car. And how is holding down the clutch a SAFETY issue? I've been driving a stick since 1979?? !!!

Apparently some people (below) are confusing holding down the clutch and coasting in neutral (which is not safe - as if you need to suddenly accelerate to avoid accident, you can't because you are in neutral).