Opinions on placing car in neutral at stop lights. Options

[Cuda911]

Some people claim that if you are a a stop light with the car in gear, but clutch pushed all the way in, that it wears out the throwout bearing faster.

I had a lengthy discussion about this with one of our 914World member and a 914 guru of the highest Grand Master level (Mugsy). He convinced me that it is fine to idle at a stop light with the car in gear and clutch pushed in. So, that's what I usually do. Every once in awhile it's tough to get the car in 1st, and I don't want some F150 riding over me when the light turns green and I'm on an easter egg gear hunt.

Yesterday I was driving a friend's '71 911, and he started giving me crap for not putting into neutral at lights (Mugsy, you guys got the motor sounding great!).

Just thought it would be interesting to solicit the group and see what your thoughts are on this topic.

[Maltese Falcon]

California DMV driving test = points off /or fail if you are at a stop and not engaged in gear with clutch depressed. Happened to a friend of mine. The examiner was hardcore... also made them back up into an uphill parallel parking space (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
My tech tells me to keep my g50 in neutral at stops, 901 or 915 no preference.
Marty

[DBCooper]

California DMV driving test = points off /or fail if you are at a stop and not engaged in gear with clutch depressed. Happened to a friend of mine. The examiner was hardcore... also made them back up into an uphill parallel parking space (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
My tech tells me to keep my g50 in neutral at stops, 901 or 915 no preference.
Marty

Are you sure? That contradicts what I was taught so I googled it and found this from the California DMV, at http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php:

"When you are coming to a stop, you can do two things: you can depress the clutch and keep the car in gear, getting ready to go again in first; or you can put the shifter in the neutral position and let the clutch back up. It is sometimes good to put a stick shift in neutral while stopped, to ease the strain on your leg and foot, and also to lessen wear and tear on your clutch. When it is time to go again, simply depress the clutch and put the shifter into first gear, and give the vehicle a little gas."

It's for teaching how to drive but I couldn't find anything in the testing criteria, and I doubt they'd say to teach something and then take points off for it.

[KELTY360]

and I doubt they'd say to teach something and then take points off for it.

This is government we're talking about, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)