Team-BHP - Use Cluch or Brake

When I travel to my work , there are stretches of clear roads with signals in between them.
Which of the following is good for the car's health and fuel economy?

When I am Driving at about 60KPH and see a STOP signal about 500 meters ahead, I press the clutch bring the car to neural and let it go along the momentum till it reaches the signal and then hit the brakes.
Is this a good practice ? or should I keep on cruising at the same speed and hit the brakes near the signal to halt or should I release the accelerator pedal shift to lower gear and then press the brakes near the signal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carafooz (Post 3025865)

When I travel to my work , there are stretches of clear roads with signals in between them.Which of the following is good for the car's health and fuel economy?.

Please check this thread: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ing-right.html

Another thread on a related topic: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ar-brakes.html

Cheers,
Vikram

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carafooz (Post 3025865)

When I am Driving at about 60KPH and see a STOP signal about 500 meters ahead, I press the clutch bring the car to neural and let it go along the momentum till it reaches the signal and then hit the brakes.
Is this a good practice ? or should I keep on cruising at the same speed and hit the brakes near the signal to halt or should I release the accelerator pedal shift to lower gear and then press the brakes near the signal.

The highlighted part.

You're driving along. You see the red light a fair distance away. You let go of the accelerator. As you get closer, you downshift (1 or even 2 gears). The car slows down even more.

By now if you're lucky the light has turned, and you can proceed without stopping at all. If not, brake. Finally dump the clutch to stop the engine from stalling.

Never cruise around in neutral. You should always be in gear. Cruising in neutral = no control in case you need to perform a sudden maneuver.

In addition to what anekho has stated if you are in neutral your braking effect will also reduce substantially.
As you have stated if you are say 500 metres away from the signal, and at about 80 or 60kmph; then you may keep your foot lightly on the pedal and brake from say about 300 metres. Also while slowing down you may just press the clutch only when you are about to stall, before that pressing the clutch isn't required.
Slight OT - It is a very common practice(and I really hate it) with bike riders and car drivers to press the clutch as soon as they stop accelerating. I mean, why is it needed in the first place? Let the car roll on its own. It wont come to a stop if you aren't pressing any pedal. Also, how would you control your braking if you need to stop abruptly for a pedestrian or an errant driver? :Frustrati The Clutch should be used very judiciously.

-Bhargav