Dean,

The downside is the wear on the throwout bearing as you sit there with the
clutch pedal depressed.  I was of a similar view as you are, and almost
$1000 later (new throwout bearing in a '93 Eurovan with 80K) have learned
the hard way once again.

Scott Paddock
'87 Vanagon Wolfsburg "Rolf"
'93 Eurovan GL "Gita"

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Dean Forshee
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 5:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Proper Clutch use

I have an ongoing debate with my wife regarding the proper way to drive our
Vanagon.  I am in the habit of waiting at a traffic light or stopsign with
the Van in first gear, with the clutch fully engaged.  My wife says that
that is hard on the clutch and that I should take it out of gear and put it
in neutral.  I've owned a number of standard shift vehicles in the past and
don't recall any problems resulting from my (allegedly) bad habit... so I
put it to the listee group - is there any downside to waiting at a traffic
light or stopsign in first gear with the clutch all the way engaged?  I'd
love for the list to help settle this debate.  Thanks.   -Dean.