Is my M/T technique ok?

Matt

I drove my last manual for 40,000 miles and engine-braked 99.9% of the time and never needed to replace the clutch. Hell, I even taught my GF how to drive manual, and she burnt it up a little!

"Engine-braking" or down-shifting is a perfectly acceptable method of braking, and the way I look at it...it's better. It puts me in the position to accelerate out (if the light turns green) or avoid disaster (someone coming behind me not braking).

One group says you'll need to replace the brakes every year, the other group will say you'll replace the clutch every year. I think both groups are over-exaggerating a bit.