Holding the clutch in makes the throwout bearing work harder.

It also loads the crankshaft thrust bearing.  You are effectively pushing
the flywheel against the engine.  The thrust bearing takes that load.

I haven't heard of thrust bearings wearing out prematurely due to this, but
it is something to consider.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Dean Forshee
> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 7:48 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.
>