From the way you talk about grinding gears while coming to a stop.....it sounds like your timing is off and your just missing the gear! From the sounds of it.......when your at the stoplight and its grinding going in....its possible that the clutch brake is worn out, or just broke off. I had a clutch brake actually fall apart and went to change it and replace the clutch that day....and wham ohh.......no clutch brake to be found!

As far as how I drive..... I do both.....I try to use the jake as much as possible to conserve the brakes......but there are those times that you dont have time to downshift and i just do my best to grab at least 1 gear....and then when I'm almost stopped I pull it out and do what I need to get going, or to sit and wait for that magic green light! Hope this helps! Welcome to the road!

Chop

 

i think you posted a new thread instead of a reply....

 

It took me about three months to finally get comfortable shifting. Now, I can double clutch, float, skip, etc. and it all feels second nature.