Shifting to neutral w/out using clutch

[DarkNinja75]

I accidentally shifted into neutral without stepping on the clutch. It was so easy I didn't realize it until after the fact. I had meant to shift to nuetral, I just shifted and hit the clutch instead of the reverse order like I should have done. I tried it intentionally, and it was as easy as the first time. I always figured it would grind. Is this bad to do, or is it just a bad habit?

[freakinbox]

it will only grind if you try to shift INTO gear without the clutch at the wrong rpm. You can actually shift without the clutch by matching the rpm. But it's a pain, I taught myself how to do it as if anything ever happens to the clutch only think I am left trying to figure out is how ot get the car rolling first :s.
As far as I know what you did doesn't hurt the car.

[punter]

Not the best habit. Won't do any real damage unless you do it every time you shift.

[punter]

freakinbox: just start the car in gear, I had to drive my mates car home with a snapped clutch cable. You get some strange looks at intersections stalling it, then starting it in gear.

[07Corolla]

Many tractor trailer drivers shift without the clutch. Those transmissions are not syncronized and they have to double clutch them or just shift without using the clutch at all. You have to have your rpm's matched to the road speed to prevent grinding though.

[thespud]

Just a bad habit. Pulling it out of gear wont hurt it...

punter: But what happens if your in a driveway, need to reverse and have a sticky/dodgy reverse gear like all of the C-Series boxes i have driven?

[daniel2002p]

I have done that accidentaly on my last car once, and as long as your tranny is not under a load (like you pressing the accelerator or using engine brake) it should be OK, but like mentiond before would advise to do on a regular basis

D

[freakinbox]

I have to roll mine back a bit sometimes to FULLY engage reverse otherwise it pops out. Took me a bit to figure that out, shocked my dad when he test drove the car and it did it to him.

[punter]

Originally Posted by thespud

punter: But what happens if your in a driveway, need to reverse and have a sticky/dodgy reverse gear like all of the C-Series boxes i have driven?

Just roll the car back of forth till you engage reversse then start it. Stall it after you back out, then start it in 1st.(did I actually just suggest that ) Its roundabouts that are the most challenging.

Lucky my mates car was an old van. 3 speed column change + diesel made things pretty simple.