>>>>Except that I'm talking about coasting downhill, not downshifting uphill. If I need to slow down going downhill, I break. On level surfaces, depending on my speed, I'll often downshift to slow. By the way, why do 'slow down' and 'slow up' mean the same thing?
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>>>Wow. Coasting a vehicle with the clutch depressed at a high rate of speed is dangerous.
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>>If only there were hills here I would attempt a scientific test.
>
>Did anyone notice there's only four of us who talk about clutch? Most of the rest are silent as if we're talking Klingon :).

Figures - most people prolly opted for an automatic transmission....although it would be nice to have one those fine clutchless-paddle-shifting gizmos that's on the newer Ferrari's.

As far as downshifiting goes - doing it uphill is not that difficult as doing so when going downhill or on a flat surface - IF you're doing it right that is. A nice technique called "heel-toe" - Again this is one of those things that people don't bother to learn that I think should be a requirement for even getting a license.
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/youngdrivers/articles/119593/article.html