[David_PA]

I've been wondering about the proper way to drive this car. (Plus it's been a long time since I drove a manual so could use general technique tips).

When coming to a stop, to get a good charge, I need to leave the vehicle in gear much longer than I would have w. my old truck.
Today I started leaving it in gear till it slows to about 6mph, and then I just nudge the stick to neutral w/out pressing the clutch. It works smoothly..
Is there an issue w/ doing this?

Thanks

You're going to get a little extra clutch and linkage wear by not clutching it out of gear, even at 6pmh. I'd rec coasting to a stop with the clutch in from about 15-20mph to up your mpg and then taking it out of gear (clutch in) when stopped. The CR-Z coasts really really well.

You'll get more charging of the electric motor battery at higher rpms and too much drag on your speed by not having the clutch in at lower rpms. The electric motor doesn't need to be fully charged all the time, you can have it a half or even below without risk of it falling all the way down too soon.

 

[David_PA]

I've been keeping Zed (Pearl) in gear till right before she would buck or stall while coming to a stop. I see that the dash display still shows it charging from the braking till almost a complete stop.

Why ... no offense intended ... but I don't understand why you would want to do that instead of coasting to a stop and / or downshifting, which would improve your mpg to some degree over slowing down always in gear. If it is because of wanting to charge the electric motor could you explain why it needs that much charging?