If You're Driving A Stick....

[blas]

And you're sitting at a red light, and there are people behind you........PLEASE be courteous and do NOT roll backwards and scare the shit out of the people behind you that you may back into them.

I don't drive a stick, I'm not sure why people do this, but it irritates me. If there are people behind you, quit being lazy and make sure you aren't rolling backwards. I have to ask my brother, but I'm sure there is a way a manual transmission can sit still at a red light without rolling backwards. Especially if we are not on top of a hill.

I nearly shat myself the other morning on the way home because the douchebag at the front of the line kept rolling backwards as we waited for the light to change. And of course, I was right behind him.

[Exaspera]

Sometimes, when I'm on an incline, I can't help but roll back a bit before I can engage the clutch. How close do you sit behind the cars in front of you?

[Mikkel]

I'm sure there is a way a manual transmission can sit still at a red light without rolling backwards. Especially if we are not on top of a hill.

The same way as on an automatic, use the brake pedal. I always look out the side window to check that the car isn't rolling when I stop at a red light.

[blas]

I don't know exactly how far back I stay, but I try to keep common sense and stay back enough just in case they don't go right away when it turns green, because the norm around here is that people tend to race to the red light, but are too busy screwing around that they don't notice when it turns green.

[Magpie]

Are we talking about not rolling backwards while just stopped, or about not doing the bit on an incline where starting involves a minor backwards roll first? The former is inexcusable, the latter should involve a trip to Montreal and the driver's watch placed behind the wheels. (Friend of the family got taught to start on hills that way).

[Exaspera]

If the hill is really steep, like some in San Francisco, I'll use the emergency brake to help.

Technically, the space between non-moving cars should be enough that someone can see the rear tires of the person in front of them.

[Aut]

If they are rolling back in that moment between releasing th brake and accelerating, that's fine. But for the ones that refuse to hold the brake pedal down while waiting to go, that's wrong. They are failing to keep control of their vehicle and without the brake pedal being depressed, the brake lights are not engaged.

[casey13]

It's kind of hard to have one foot on the clutch to prevent stalling, one on the brake, and one on the gas pedal.

[Exaspera]

I usually put it in neutral and keep my foot on the brake at a light. Less wear and tear on the clutch.

[Mikkel]

It's kind of hard to have one foot on the clutch to prevent stalling, one on the brake, and one on the gas pedal.

While you are stopped, you have one foot on the brake and one on the clutch. If the incline isn't too steep, release the clutch to the point where it's just on the point of engaging, move your right foot to the speeder and you are away without rolling backwards (or not much). On a steep hill you pull the handbrake, move your right foot, release the clutch to the point of engaging, release the handbrake and go. It takes a bit of practise to coordinate everything, but you don't need three feet.

[AccountingDrone]

The same way as on an automatic, use the brake pedal. I always look out the side window to check that the car isn't rolling when I stop at a red light.

Well, I only have 2 feet, and a manual has 3 pedals. I will be on the brake while stopped but at some point in time I have to have one foot on the accelerator and one on the clutch, What is your suggestion?

If people stopped crawling up ones ass while at a light, that slight roll would not be an issue.

[blas]

I don't go crawling up anyone's behind in traffic. I come to a safe stop at what I feel is a safe distance.

I don't think I should have to worry about the person in front of me rolling.

It's not like I can tell which cars are auto and which are stick just from looking at them, the only way of knowing is when one in front of me starts rolling backwards.

My only issue with people crawling is when they are at the front of the line and keep scooting and scooting, and it's not a sensor, it's a timed stop light. Scoot all the way across, it's not going to change.

Edit: Think of it this way. Most of the time, I don't feel I should have to let last minute lane changers get in front of me, but I'm not going to risk an accident because someone waited until the last minute to change lanes, just as much as you feel you shouldn't have to go out of your way to be sure your manual transmission car is completely stopped at a red light in case someone is behind you, but you wouldn't want to risk backing up into someone, would you?

[casey13]

I don't know of any car that goes forward in neutral. You still have to put the clutch in to shift.

[HYHYBT]

I do this a little, once in a while, because while I know how not to, it *is* a bit tricky and I simply don't drive a manual anywhere near often enough to do so perfectly). But unless you're within a few inches of my bumper, you're safe.

[greek_jester]

It's kind of hard to have one foot on the clutch to prevent stalling, one on the brake, and one on the gas pedal.

Which is why, if the car is on a steep enough slope that it will start to roll before you can reach them, the hand brake should be left on until you can adjust the clutch & accelerator to the biting point (which will hold your car on an upwards slope without rolling). Most British cars are manuals (stick shifts) & knowing how to do a hill start is part of the practical driving test.