To the manual FR-S drivers

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

One benefit of donwshifting as you're slowing down: should you need to execute any sort of emergency maneuvers, you will be in a proper gear already, and less likely to stall the vehicle. This is a vital technique in motorcycling that I feel still has merit in car driving.

Bingo.

Also, sitting at an intersection or in traffic while clutched in will fatigue your leg. Just learn to watch the lights or get a bit of distance and do the first gear crawl while the cars in front of you stop start.

[sieglapj]

Also, don't half ride the clutch between gears. Take your foot of the clutch completely after every gear change. If u don't, u will shorten the clutch's lifespan.

[JohnS_Rosamond]

I thought that if you keep the clutch pressed down at a red light not only does it increase wear on the throw out bearing, but it's bad for the slave cylinder also (in the long run). You shouldn't really keep the clutch pedal depressed for long periods of time in a Hydaulic clutch.

[TOMIMOTO]

The car has brakes for a reason. There's no need for putting more stress on the drivetrain by downshifting through gears to stop.

If you have an exhaust you do look like a total badass rev matching down gears to a stop though.

[Rossman]

Our 2007 Versa 6spd has over 100,000km's on it now, I downshift to stop most of the time, but sometimes I don't. I also leave the car in first at lights and just hold the clutch in (unless I just missed the light and I know it'll be awhile).

The clutch is still fine after all this time. I think these things last a really long time these days as long as you don't do anything crazy.

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by TOMIMOTO

The car has brakes for a reason. There's no need for putting more stress on the drivetrain by downshifting through gears to stop.

If you have an exhaust you do look like a total badass rev matching down gears to a stop though.

No reason at all... except, you know, for proper street driving technique.

I have to wonder how some of you are driving, when you speak of "drivetrain stress" or "wearing out the clutch"... by simply changing gears or engine braking. There's a world of difference between use and abuse; and with this car's power, so long as you're not riding your clutch or doing 5000 rpm drops at every stoplight, the damn thing will likely outlast most other parts on your vehicle... even if you <gasp> use it!

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Rossman

Our 2007 Versa 6spd has over 100,000km's on it now, I downshift to stop most of the time, but sometimes I don't. I also leave the car in first at lights and just hold the clutch in (unless I just missed the light and I know it'll be awhile).

The clutch is still fine after all this time. I think these things last a really long time these days as long as you don't do anything crazy.

I do this as well.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by Rossman

Our 2007 Versa 6spd has over 100,000km's on it now, I downshift to stop most of the time, but sometimes I don't. I also leave the car in first at lights and just hold the clutch in (unless I just missed the light and I know it'll be awhile).

The clutch is still fine after all this time. I think these things last a really long time these days as long as you don't do anything crazy.

if the tranny is built ''right" with quality parts from the factory,
then generally one shouldn't have any issues with the clutch,or it's associated parts over time,(except,of course,overheating as a direct result of "partially" engaging the clutch, ie: holding on a hill,). ideally,one SHOULD downshift to properly slow the car,as this action keeps wear on the brake pads to a minimum. in "reality" your brake pads
WILL last longer over time.what you are doing is utilizing the engine's ''compression" as a brake and "tapping" the real brakes to come to a stop.
over time,the ''throw-out" bearing will need to be replaced,but only after a long,long time. as far as the ''downshifting" causing wear issues? well
that's purely speculative,as the tranny is designed,and engineered to withstand any "stress",and "downshifting" is part of the normal process of driving the car with a manual transmission.