I engine break all the time and am probably looking at getting a new clutch soon
...after 130,000 miles. Not too bad.

Prob depends how you do it. If you ride the clutch to engine break or otherwise try to do it gently, you're probably asking for trouble. Best to pick the right gear and bang it in*

I've always been interested how much petrol a car will use to "start up", mainly because I've a mate who always bangs on about "Don't bother turning off your engine unless you're gonna be stationary for more than 10 minutes otherwise you waste more fuel than you save". I think he's misremembering something he was mistold... 10 minutes? Really? He wont budge and I have no proof.


*Also works with girls
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Mon 10 Jan 2011, 11:29, 1 reply, 14 years ago)

Aha, it is, in fact, ~10 seconds.
I like this statistic. It will allow me to be extraordinarily smug when next this subject comes up at a railway crossing or some such place.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Mon 10 Jan 2011, 11:32, Reply)

I can't think of any situation
when I would be stopped for more than 10 mins unless I was parked. Even if a bridge goes up, I've never know it take that long.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Mon 10 Jan 2011, 12:44, Reply)

Exactly why this argument comes up every single time...
Though it sounds like you've never experienced the joy of West Worthing station. You're not missing much.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Mon 10 Jan 2011, 13:14, Reply)