too confused.

i feel like so simple having to ask this question.
anyway, i've been driving stick (manual transmission) for under a year now and i'm now confused about if i have been driving it properly.

to get straight to the point, i'll ask my question:

When at a stop light, is it better to leave the car in neutral?
or should i have the clutch pedal down (releasing the clutch plate) and having the car in gear?

to follow up, are either one of these techniques "slipping the clutch"...i've read the other threads...and it's quite confusing since people use the word "clutch" representing the pedal and the plate..so when they "release the clutch" i have no clue if they mean take your foot off of the pedal or the clutch plate is disengaging (clutch plate stops touching the flywheel)

as long as your clutch linkage is adjusted correctly neither way will slip the clutch. Either way you do it wont hurt anything but one way will make your leg more tired.

i think i heard that having it in neutral is better but i'm not sure why. also when you release the clutch you are releasing the pedal so you're taking your foot off.

In general, neutral with the clutch pedal out is a touch better since it keeps the oil slung on the gears, but its not an issue. If you sat at a light for 3 months I might worry :)

As a general rule; engaging the clutch = letting the pedal out. Disengaging the clutch = pushing the pedal in = releasing the clutch. Its one of those you have to clarify in conversation since its confusing.

From a safety standpoint, you are better having the gear engaged and clutch pedal on the floor. That way you can move the car quickly if you have to (i.e., get away from that other car bearing down on you too quickly from behind).

On your definition questions - the clutch "slips" when it is half-engaged. The clutch disc rubs on the pressure plate. Too much of this is a bad thing, but everybody slips the clutch when they start the car from a dead stop. If you are experienced, you should not have to slip the clutch any other time.

Some people drive with their left foot resting on the clutch pedal. They risk allowing the clutch to slip during normal driving, very bad for the clutch. Sometimes a clutch in bad repair will slip on its own -- also bad.

In correspondence with curtis, put it in neutral. Another reason for not just having the clutch disengaged is that it engages the throwout (TO) bearing. After a while the bearing will wear prematurely.