Hey everyone, I have a manual 2017 Mazda Miata and have a question about driving a manual in the city (and since I live in Houston often on the highway as well). Is it okay to put the car into neutral without pressing the clutch? For example, when I'm approaching a red light in 6th gear I always engine brake to about 20mph (which is the point where the car won't slow down anymore unless I apply the brakes) then pull the gear shifter out of 6th into neutral and then apply the brakes. I was thinking that is may cause damage to the gearbox or the gear shifter itself, but also uses the clutch less. Is this a correct assumption?
it won't cause damage, but it is dangerous. You may need to suddenly accelerate, so it's best practice to keep the vehicle in gear whenever possible.
Including what @mmj said, You are going to be putting slight undue stress on the gearbox synchros, without disengaging the clutch.
