Mk4 5 Speed Grinds Going Into First Gear #2 Always downshift sequentially if you lot're going to cease. I almost never downshift from 3rd or above to 1st. Likewise this is my stance but yous should always accept the car in gear when moving - never coast in neutral. If you need to decelerate (not necessarily when approaching a stop), then downshift through the gears, and allow the engine decelerate the car.