This Common Traffic-Light Habit Could Cost Drivers Dearly

Many drivers with manual-transmission cars unknowingly repeat habits that can increase wear on mechanical components over the long term. Two of the most common are holding down the clutch pedal while waiting at a traffic light and resting a hand on the gear lever.

The clutch release bearing carries a load for as long as the pedal remains depressed. That period is brief during a normal gear change, but it becomes longer when a car waits for several dozen seconds or more with first gear engaged and the clutch pressed.

A simpler option is to shift into neutral after stopping, release the clutch and keep the vehicle stationary with the brake. This avoids placing unnecessary pressure on the release bearing. A few seconds of waiting will not immediately cause a breakdown, and cars are designed to withstand many such cycles. The effects typically become noticeable only after years, particularly for drivers who repeatedly make the same movements in heavy city traffic.

Experts also advise against constantly resting a hand on the gear lever. Even light, continuous pressure can reach the gearbox’s internal mechanisms, including the shift fork and synchronizers. The habit offers no real benefit, so drivers are better off keeping both hands available for steering and using the gear lever only when changing gear.