Honda Car Forum

So, I am a learning to drive a manual (had been driving an automatic 1997 Honda Civic LX for 10 years) since getting my new 2007 Honda Civic LX (on my 2nd week) and I have had this "situation" reoccur twice now. I completely understand that you are not supposed to downshift into first BUT, I have found myself, when coming up on a light where cars are stopped at, I am riding in 3rd or 2nd (depending on speed and sometimes I am even coasting in neutral while braking) and I find myself having to slow down to about 5-10 mph (with essentially no RPM's) but not coming to a complete stop before the traffic ahead starts moving again. Now, when this happens, I put it into 2nd and my poor little Civic doesn't seem to keen on this whole 2nd gear idea since I don't have the RPM's and you can hear/feel her really trying to go into the gear. My question is, would it be really bad if I knocked it into 1st in these situations? It just doesn't seem right putting my car into 2nd when she doesn't have the RPM's (pushing the engine) when I am going at such slow speeds.


Also, I just want to re-state that I am pretty damn new at this whole manual idea. Trying to train my 24 year old brain to actually function while driving has been.... interesting ....to say the least. I know some might suggest "engine braking" or "double clutching".. again, I am new at this and still get pretty nervous just sitting behind the wheel. So, any help would be super appreciated!