[SupraTTturbo2jz]

all you stick drivers out there, do you enjoy driving manual after a while? or do you feel lazy or it gets tedious and draining from time to time? How long does it usually take for a newbie to pick it up and start driving comfortably without looking at the RPM dial, and also learning hill starts?

I know how to drive a little bit driving it for a few hours today with my buddy, I still stall from starting the car off in 1st gear and starting off at a red light:heckno:

Do you regret getting manual or does it just come as second nature once you get used to it without even giving it a thought while driving? I am making a decision on manual and automatic vehicle soon and don;t want to make the wrong choice! Thanks

[adc]

Nothing beats the feeling of rowing your own gears and a perfect heel-toe. Manual all the way.

[MikeyStyle]

for me personally, if you're driving a sports car, it's so much more satisfying if you're driving a manual. if it's anything else, i wouldn't care for it and would rather drive an automatic instead

it's just all about practice. it'll be second nature to you soon enough

[SpeedStars]

When I first got my car, the first few weeks were brutal. Stalling at almost every single stop, people behind me laughing and etc, I had sweat running down everywhere. I even said to myself, damn I maybe should have got an automatic. But after around 2 months, I got used to it and there was nothing better than rowing gears. Albiet, I still wish to have an automatic in gridlock traffic :badpokerface:

[Manic!]

Manual or bust.

[320icar]

i would never ever go back to automatic. all of my vehicles have been manual and if i am required to drive auto i hate it. i get bored and day dreamy and easily distracted by shit cuz i feel like im just sitting there doing nothing.

manual or bust

[Energy]

Manual all the way. Sure there might be that really rare occasion when I get pissed off at driving a manual car because I'm super tired and stuck in traffic on the highway due to construction. But that is a small price to pay for the joy and satisfaction driving a manual brings everyday. Driving an automatic (this includes dual clutch transmissions) is so boring and mind numbing that I feel like it would put me to sleep especially if I'm driving a sports or sporty car.

I would only consider an automatic if I was driving a point a to b appliance or a dual clutch if I was on the track and wanted the absolute best times.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

Nothing beats the feeling of rowing your own gears and a perfect heel-toe. Manual all the way.

what is this heel toe technique? lol , also there's some conflict when I downshift. Some told me you have to double clutch when downshifting? Usually I clutch in, shift down to gear I want but the rpms still high as hell. I haven't tried rev match yet, I am not sure what that is. Tried learning from youtube as well but its harder watching on video than real life situation. I have been trying to find a driving instructor.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

Manual all the way. Sure there might be that really rare occasion when I get pissed off at driving a manual car because I'm super tired and stuck in traffic on the highway due to construction. But that is a small price to pay for the joy and satisfaction driving a manual brings everyday. Driving an automatic (this includes dual clutch transmissions) is so boring and mind numbing that I feel like it would put me to sleep especially if I'm driving a sports or sporty car.

I would only consider an automatic if I was driving a point a to b appliance or a dual clutch if I was on the track and wanted the absolute best times.

do you constantly have to clutch in and stay in first in bumper to bumper situations? I see some people have foot on brake as well and staying in neutral without stalling

[BoostedBB6]

Wife said "Autos are for pussies"

She rows the 6 speed in the TL :P

[Energy]

do you constantly have to clutch in and stay in first in bumper to bumper situations? I see some people have foot on brake as well and staying in neutral without stalling

I leave it in neutral and take my foot off the clutch when I'm stopped. If its flat I also sometimes just leave my foot off the brake as well.

[Russkii]

Honestly, I just brought my first manual car today and learning for the first time was brutal. Stalling everywhere. After watching multiple YouTube videos and having a friend giving me tips. I learned within about an hour driving decently. Still not 100% knowing how to drive but hey practice makes prefect right?

[threezero]

shifting is a vital form of self expression.

If you enjoy driving manual is the only way to go.

[Fafine]

all you stick drivers out there, do you enjoy driving manual after a while? or do you feel lazy or it gets tedious and draining from time to time? How long does it usually take for a newbie to pick it up and start driving comfortably without looking at the RPM dial, and also learning hill starts?

I know how to drive a little bit driving it for a few hours today with my buddy, I still stall from starting the car off in 1st gear and starting off at a red light:heckno:

Do you regret getting manual or does it just come as second nature once you get used to it without even giving it a thought while driving? I am making a decision on manual and automatic vehicle soon and don;t want to make the wrong choice! Thanks

About a week to get it all down and not stall. Driving manual becomes second nature and it shouldn't be tedious, lazy or draining.

Why you looking at the rpm? I also think you shouldn't worry about downshifting, rev matching, heel-toe just yet. Learn the basics and when youre more comfortable with driving manual then learn the above, it's not much to learn anyways

I can say manual isn't for everbody, some people just dont like it even after learning and owning a manual.

[kakucaekz]

I became bored of automatic when I was about 18, and wanted a manual car. At first, it was tough; not being able to find the bite point, stalling at lights, reversing, the whole shabang. But now, it's just second nature. You also seem a lot more in tune with your vehicle. It's not just point, go and stop anymore.

It's also a good skill to learn; you never know when you may need to know how to drive stick. I've heard of a few instances where someone was either too drunk or injured and couldn't drive their car, so their friend had to. Important life skill, IMO.

[Energy]

^ or if you visit Europe and their rental cars are all manual and they will laugh at you when they learn you can't drive stick.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

Honestly, I just brought my first manual car today and learning for the first time was brutal. Stalling everywhere. After watching multiple YouTube videos and having a friend giving me tips. I learned within about an hour driving decently. Still not 100% knowing how to drive but hey practice makes prefect right?

are you able to hill start yet haha. I honestly am having trouble when turning. Don't know if I should be in neutral when wanting to turn right at an intersection or stay in first gear and clutch? The people behind me honking like crazy is not helping haha:concentrate:

[jcmaz]

I learned manual from practicing in empty parking lots. What helped the most was practicing on an incline, trying to balance the clutch and gas to make the car immobile. Of course, that does burn out the clutch faster but it was an invaluable method of learning. On the same incline, I would imagine a four way stop situation, get the car completely stopped, and then trying to make the turn without the car moving backwards.

I don't even bother looking at rpm, but I do have a CAI which makes the engine louder than stock. After driving for a while, you'll get a feel as to when to shift and what not.

[Russkii]

Hahaha no I haven't driven on a hill yet... *no hills in richmond woo*. I'll need more practice before I actually start driving on hills lol. I don't know either to be honest. The scariest is turning left because if you stall while turning left, oh no.

are you able to hill start yet haha. I honestly am having trouble when turning. Don't know if I should be in neutral when wanting to turn right at an intersection or stay in first gear and clutch? The people behind me honking like crazy is not helping haha:concentrate:

[Selanne_200]

When you're waiting to turn right or left, I usually just clutch in so I can just take off when I need to, instead of having to shift before I can go. I say after a month, you should have no problem driving around without stalling, but to be smooth, it's going to take you a little more time as you learn what the best thing to do is for different situation.
Also, once you're comfortable with the regular shifting, I would then start to practice slowly downshifting as you're approaching the traffic light. Nothing like rolling towards a red light then it turns green and your car is bogging because you're still in 5th or if you're in neutral and can't find the right gear. After you're comfortable with downshifting, then I would start working on rev matching while downshifting, useful when making a left/right hand turn where it doesn't require you to come to a stop.

Some things I can remember is, when you're starting out, try not to shift in the middle of a turn, just so you don't accidentally miss your shift and be stuck in neutral, especially during a left turn where there would be on-coming cars. If you're not comfortable starting on a steep hill, you could always cheat and use your handbrake to hold your car and once you get going without stalling, then you can release your handbrake. At the very least, you won't be rolling back which is quite a stressful situation especially during busy hours

[hypediss]

riding along this thread...

what would be a good, cheap/affordable , and reliable car that anyone would recommend on learning to drive stick? would a 3k budget be enough? or am i low balling myself too much?

given that this is a first manual car, im pretty hesistant in pouring too much cash into the purchase.

[gilly]

Don't know if I should be in neutral when wanting to turn right at an intersection or stay in first gear and clutch? The people behind me honking like crazy is not helping haha:concentrate:

Don't put in neutral or 1st gear when turning right. Put it in second gear... even if ur moving like 10km/hr. Too jerky in 1st gear.

Try putting lots of New driver or even Learner signs at the back of your car. People a little more forgiving. Or when you stall, quickly put on hazards.

Manual is super fun in a sports car... especially when I had an aftermarket BOV in the sti.

[belaud]

Nothing beats rowing gears on a fine sunny morning with a 6 puck unsprung clutch and a 10 pound fly wheel, it is by far the most satisfying feeling ever to have leg cramps 10 km's in!

kill me

[KDMofo]

A $60 lesson can save you lots on your first standard car.

Never coast in neutral or clutch in until your near stopped.
Coasting around turn is dangerous cause you don't have throttle control and also being in gear helps with traction.
Shifting during turns as a newby can end up in an accidental clutch kick drift.

For me, if I know I'm slowing down to a complete stop I'll just stay in gear till I stop but If I know I'm only slowing down but still rolling I'll heeltoe my way down gears.

If your still new and stalling I recommend learning how to rolling jump start your car cause your battery is gonna be dead. If you're on a hill and no one is behind you, turn your key on position put it reverse, clutch in, let it roll to a moderate speed then drop that clutch. Same applies to forward with 1st gear.

Driving a standard car is an art form, everyone has their on ways.

If you're learning to drive stick in Richmond don't even worry, people will just think you're a typical Asian driver.

[impulseX]

manual all the way. didn't take too long to learn, and it becomes second nature. i found learning on a civic was super easy and got the basics of it pretty quick.

[Selanne_200]

riding along this thread...

what would be a good, cheap/affordable , and reliable car that anyone would recommend on learning to drive stick? would a 3k budget be enough? or am i low balling myself too much?

given that this is a first manual car, im pretty hesistant in pouring too much cash into the purchase.

To be honest, what me and my friend was that we went to an auto auction and bought an old junker for $500 bucks and just shit kicked out of that car. Easiest way to learn manual without breaking the bank and kicking yourself everytime you grind that gear or burn that clutch

[Amuse]

Try putting lots of New driver or even Learner signs at the back of your car. People a little more forgiving. Or when you stall, quickly put on hazards.

This is true. I put an N sign on my back when I was learning manual, when I didn't need to have an N sign. It took me a while to shift from 1st to 2nd after a red light and the drivers tailgating me at the back would still think that I was a new driver.

[swfk]

Drove stick daily since I got my drivers license, dont mind the traffic at all. The key statement is "practice makes perfect" and drive as much as possible.

Edit: learning on a hill will speed up the learning process and skip all those bad habits you would pick up while learning on a flat road

I got an automatic car last year as a daily and I miss that third pedal. Till this day I still sometimes get in the car to find myself stomping a missing clutch pedal trying to start the car.

Driving stick is cool B)

[B!tch]

Not sure what neighbourhood you live in but there are hills at Robert Burnaby Park that are almost private.

[fliptuner]

Edit: learning on a hill will speed up the learning process and skip all those bad habits you would pick up while learning on a flat road

When I teach people, I get them to start from a dead stop, on a level road, without using any throttle. It doesn't kill the clutch, teaches the engagement point and is simpler for learners to only have to focus on 1 pedal.

[MG1]

When I teach people, I show them how to do a burnout first :troll:

Then the rest is easy, LOL.



BTW, I love teaching women how to drive stick. Send me your girlfriends..........I'm the best.

[asian_XL]

lansdown mall is the best to practice manual

[ToneCapone]

When I teach people, I get them to start from a dead stop, on a level road, without using any throttle. It doesn't kill the clutch, teaches the engagement point and is simpler for learners to only have to focus on 1 pedal.

Still quite rusty but this is the way learned the sweet spot on my friends 2013 Jetta GLI. I stalled it over 20x until he finally showed me that you can make the car move just by slowly releasing the clutch.

Might be a myth but is it true that stick German cars are typically tougher to drive?

[hud 91gt]

You have to go manual. I'd hate to be the guy where someone hands you the keys, and you hop in but don't low how to drive. Ha.


Personally, I never thought i'd like an automatic but for my DD in the city I'd do it again.

[FerrariEnzo]

if your work is across town and its a 9-5 type job, manual is a bitch in traffic.. other then that, its pretty fun...

If its full manual, then you cant really hold your gf/bf hands (or other parts :) )

[evil_jigglypuff]

Stalling from a stop is normal for when you are still trying to hone the skill. The thing about it is if you don't own a manual car, it would be harder to learn. Learning manual is not like a switch where once you can go off from a stop without stalling you become a pro already. Its just like driving any vehicle. The more driving you do the better you become. Once you have "mastered" it though, you will never forget.

[tiger_handheld]

Is it me or does OP seem like he wants to learn stick because he "wants to look cool" rather than "enjoying the driving"...

[hk20000]

if your work is across town and its a 9-5 type job, manual is a bitch in traffic.. other then that, its pretty fun...

If its full manual, then you cant really hold your gf/bf hands (or other parts :) )
More important than you'd thunk. :woot2:

[Noir]

Go manual, while you're still young.


All the cars I've owned are manual. Now I'm in my 30's and the wife is looking for something automatic, I feel like I can have a 10 year gap or more from manual transmission vechicles and I would still know how to drive 'em.

[MeowMeow]

When I teach people, I show them how to do a burnout first :troll:

Then the rest is easy, LOL.



BTW, I love teaching women how to drive stick. Send me your girlfriends..........I'm the best.

Ohhh me me me what's yo number? :troll:

First time I ever learned how to drive manual was at an industrial area in Richmond in El bastardo's civic. I could barely go over this mini hill exiting the plaza and was already frustrated.
Then second lesson was in an m3. I stalled it middle of No 3 road and started panicking like crazy.
Then after few mini driving here and there I got a bit better :) didn't take me too long I don't think.

Richmond is pretty good for practice because all the roads are flat and straight. But you do have to be careful of all the c-lai's.

[Simplex123]

I just learned to drive stick this March after buying a Miata. First couple days I was still stalling from complete stops and slight hills. But then I went to the neighborhoods in New West to practice on hills. It really helped me find the balance of the gas and clutch and where it catches. Since then I have driving without shitting bricks at stop lights and hills :woot2:

[LP700-4]

I remember the first time I drove manual in traffic it was absolutely terrifying LOL

Stalled on a hill twice at a stop sign the guy behind was laughing so third time just went to 3k and dumped the clutch

[multicartual]

riding along this thread...

what would be a good, cheap/affordable , and reliable car that anyone would recommend on learning to drive stick? would a 3k budget be enough? or am i low balling myself too much?

given that this is a first manual car, im pretty hesistant in pouring too much cash into the purchase.


Fox body Mustang 5.0

[flagella]

This all depends on what car you are driving and what the condition of the traffic/road.

[Araaadi]

Just bought my first manual car and will be picking it up saturday. Gonna try to get a few friends to teach me this week so I can drive it home, but will most likely just take lessons to avoid too much stress on the clutch.

[ilvtofu]

I wonder if in countries where driving stick was the norm if people would have such a hard-on and so much pride for it.
Have only owned manual cars and don't regret it, but frankly I don't think about it at all lol it just becomes second nature. I don't hail it as some 'art form' or some mystical lifestyle.

There are some terrible automatic gearboxes out there and the last few cars I've owned I wouldn't even have considered getting the slushbox on ('88 300zx, '90 Miata, '00 Miata, '09 Astra). The BMW 8-speed, VW DSG, and Porsche PDK to name a few though.... well that's a different story. I've driven manual versions of the E90 M3, Mk5/6 GTI, and Porsche 997 and have never left impressed by the gearboxes; the auto-manual debate is very car specific but people talk about it like it HAS to be one way/way of life.

[Energy]

I've driven the E9x M3 and 997 with manuals and did not think there was anything wrong with them. The transmission is not as impressive as an S2000 but they still feel good.

The DCT on the E9x M3 is impressive and I'm sure the PDK on the 997 is too but it just got old really fast and I would leave it in auto 95% of the time. If I leave it in auto all the time then what is the point? Its just another automatic.

[ilvtofu]

I've driven the E9x M3 and 997 with manuals and did not think there was anything wrong with them. The transmission is not as impressive as an S2000 but they still feel good.

The DCT on the E9x M3 is impressive and I'm sure the PDK on the 997 is too but it just got old really fast and I would leave it in auto 95% of the time. If I leave it in auto all the time then what is the point? Its just another automatic.

lol 95% of the time when you drive manual do you drive like you're in a Fast & Furious remake? Personally 95% of the time when I'm driving stick I'm in autopilot and don't think twice about what my feet/hands are doing. My point being it doesn't really matter and isn't as big of a deal as some people try to make it out to be.

[SRTOY]

I drive a 6spd and an auto. Both have their pros and cons. I lean towards auto more because im older now and its easier. When I was younger I was all about manual. Now I realize that a nice car is still a nice car regardless of its transmission.

[bing]

Most of my cars have been manual. Never gets old.

[GabAlmighty]

Manual, although there are times when I dream of auto's.

Also, if you wanna drive a real manual go drive truck. Ultimate test is an overweight load, underpowered tractor, 10% hill, and -45 degree ice.

[multicartual]

Manual, although there are times when I dream of auto's.

Also, if you wanna drive a real manual go drive truck. Ultimate test is an overweight load, underpowered tractor, 10% hill, and -45 degree ice.


I drove my supercharged S2000 up the Coqahalla in a blizzard on summer tires

White knuckle ride for 3 hours, almost ran out of gas, girlfriend and I didn't talk for 6 hours

[multicartual]

Most of my cars have been manual. Never gets old.

I enjoy driving my car so much

Manual, rear wheel drive, no electronic aids, real limited slip differential, none of that e-differential crap!

Manual FWD is so lame in the wet on a hill. I've seen so many people slip and slide, stall their cars on Boundary at Hastings making lefts or rights there.

[Manic!]

I enjoy driving my car so much

Manual, rear wheel drive, no electronic aids, real limited slip differential, none of that e-differential crap!

Manual FWD is so lame in the wet on a hill. I've seen so many people slip and slide, stall their cars on Boundary at Hastings making lefts or rights there.

People need to learn how to drive. Honda with a ACT comp light flywheel, no problems.

[StanleyR]

I finally caved when I moved into DT van and needed a car to commute daily with to the north shore. Got a 07 Focus with auto. Pained me to even consider the thought after years of mastering the stick, but I'm glad I did. Makes the daily commute so much less stressful

[Klondike]

This sticker might come in handy

manual transmission - do not tailgate bumper stickers | Zazzle (http://www.zazzle.ca/manual_transmission_do_not_tailgate_bumper_sticker-128728825184184282)

[ZN6]

all you stick drivers out there, do you enjoy driving manual after a while? or do you feel lazy or it gets tedious and draining from time to time? How long does it usually take for a newbie to pick it up and start driving comfortably without looking at the RPM dial, and also learning hill starts?

I know how to drive a little bit driving it for a few hours today with my buddy, I still stall from starting the car off in 1st gear and starting off at a red light:heckno:

Do you regret getting manual or does it just come as second nature once you get used to it without even giving it a thought while driving? I am making a decision on manual and automatic vehicle soon and don;t want to make the wrong choice! Thanks

Not once did I ever regret learning how to drive a car with a manual transmission. The "easier" way to learn is to start learning the engagement point of the clutch going down a hill without touching the gas. I find that cars with a beefier clutch is easier to modulate. Been 12 or 13 years since I've been driving stick. Never thought of going back unless my left leg is blown off. Even with left leg sciatic nerve pinch, I still drive it and wince in pain.

IIRC from my first stick driving experience, it was second nature after driving the car for the first week. I remember I'd still stall if I forget I was in gear coming to a stop but that goes away once you get more experienced. I find that people who are learning how to drive stick are more distracted and fixated on the tach too much and stall out or the car jack-rabbits a lot. I found after teaching like 4-5 people that covering up the tach helps them actually feel out where they are supposed throttle more while the clutch is engaging.

Stick or bust.

[SpuGen]

Driveway has a huge slant.
First Manual car was an S13 in the middle of Winter.
Got it home from Surrey fine, but Leaving the house to go show it off, gave me crash course.

I was pretty much forced to learn the engagement point on the spot, or roll into the garage.

Shifts were rough for the next few hours, but by the next day, I was clutch kicking and hooning in the snow. Same car taught me how to drive in the snow with bald tires, and took my drift virginity.

All of these skills came in handy, and have taught me to understand a cars limits.
I will never regret learning how to drive manual.

That being said. I don't mind driving Auto. It would really depend on the car. For example, my GS400 with a big lazy V8 baby hauler. It's so buttery smooth, that I hate the first few minutes of driving my MR2. Downshift, aaaaand I'm back.

[ZN6]

if your work is across town and its a 9-5 type job, manual is a bitch in traffic.. other then that, its pretty fun...

If its full manual, then you cant really hold your gf/bf hands (or other parts :) )

My ex and I held hands with the stick between our hands, I did the shifting. In retrospect it was dumb but love makes you do dumb things.

[b0unce. [?]]

i like being able to eat/drink while driving :lol

[c4@urdoor]

I like manual, don't get me wrong. But the older I get, and the worst traffic gets, nothing beats convenience of auto. Paddle shifters best of both worlds I guess.
Definitely "sticking" with manual for weekend/performance vehicles though.
Nothing beats rowing thru dem gears baby.

If you are young, and a car enthusiast with 1 vehicle then just enjoy the manual, but as you age and perhaps settle down with a family, and you can afford 2 vehicles there is no doubt you will want the family car to be auto (regardless if wife is driving it or not)

[c4@urdoor]

;8532827']i like being able to eat/drink while driving :lol

Yes yes yes!!! And slide my hand up the womans' leg ....
:ifyouknow:

[Sir_Loin]

Similar to learning how to drive, it's just practice practice practice until it becomes second nature.

[LP700-4]

Damn this thread is making me so tempted to jump into an manual car. I learned in a 05 M3 the clutch was so damn heavy :lawl:
Whats a good manual car for 25-30k. Cant find any E46 M3's but that'd be my first choice. 335i maybe?

[Energy]

No to a 335i unless you have warranty or lots of money.

[CorneringArtist]

Switched from an auto Mazda3 to a manual Golf TDI, which consequently is my first car with boost. Had a manual Passat before and after the drive home in the Golf, never looked back.

[Araaadi]

anyone know of a driving school that teaches manual in their own car?
I pick up my car on saturday and I really want to be the one driving it off the lot, a few of my friends with manual cars aren't comfortable with me learning on theirs, and one offered to drive my car home for me, but I much rather do it myself.

[i-vtecyo]

Manual driving lessons is more expensive than regular driving lessons. So expect to pay around 80 per lesson which is an hour only.

Shifting Gears Driving School | Vancouver, BC (http://www.defensivedrivingschool.ca), I took lessons from Marley back in 2010 when i bought my mr2 and she is an excellent instructor. Although the price is high, i can guarantee that you will learn a lot and depending how fast you learn, she'll probably take you out to the main streets within ur first lesson. Unlike other manual driving instructors, Marley's Toyota echo has pedals on the passenger side as well just in case u panic on a hill. GL

[Araaadi]

Thanks, I gave her a text hopefully I can get it down within a lesson or two.

Manual driving lessons is more expensive than regular driving lessons. So expect to pay around 80 per lesson which is an hour only.

Shifting Gears Driving School | Vancouver, BC (http://www.defensivedrivingschool.ca), I took lessons from Marley back in 2010 when i bought my mr2 and she is an excellent instructor. Although the price is high, i can guarantee that you will learn a lot and depending how fast you learn, she'll probably take you out to the main streets within ur first lesson. Unlike other manual driving instructors, Marley's Toyota echo has pedals on the passenger side as well just in case u panic on a hill. GL

[LP700-4]

No to a 335i unless you have warranty or lots of money.
I know yours went a bit wrong but are all 335s that bad reliability wise? Main issue i read was the HPFP which BMW fixed?


anyone know of a driving school that teaches manual in their own car?
I pick up my car on saturday and I really want to be the one driving it off the lot, a few of my friends with manual cars aren't comfortable with me learning on theirs, and one offered to drive my car home for me, but I much rather do it myself.
Maybe ask your sales guy for a quick lesson when you pick it up?

[dovo]

I remember my first hill and I stalled and shit brick. Butttttt once you get used to it, it is awesome :D good luck

[KDMofo]

If you freak out after multiple stalls, just drop the clutch at 2000-3000rpm.

[sdubfid]

you could try mine at triangle, low range and diesel puts everything is in slow motion

[jpark]

My first manual car was my s2000. I knew how to drive stick before, but the s2k sure made me into a bigger ricer LOL. That rev-match, downshift, heel toe, all learned in my smooth 6spd s2k during almost 4 years of ownership. i miss that car.

Now its just a natural thing for me... i always press in the 'imaginary clutch pedal' whenever i hop in an auto car

[snowball]

My first manual car was my s2000. I knew how to drive stick before, but the s2k sure made me into a bigger ricer LOL. That rev-match, downshift, heel toe, all learned in my smooth 6spd s2k during almost 4 years of ownership. i miss that car.

Now its just a natural thing for me... i always press in the 'imaginary clutch pedal' whenever i hop in an auto car

Also the "why the fuck is the brake pedal so big" feeling

[radioman]

Oh god that imaginary clutch pedal. Good times.

[kakucaekz]

Go into auto car, step on "clutch". "Clutch" pedal is actually brake pedal. Habitually step on "brake" pedal, which is the gas. Start the car, and VVVRRRRRRRRR. I've done this a few times, brain farted.

[Noir]

Go into auto car, step on "clutch". "Clutch" pedal is actually brake pedal. Habitually step on "brake" pedal, which is the gas. Start the car, and VVVRRRRRRRRR. I've done this a few times, brain farted.

:suspicious:


Not sure if you actually drive a manual. Clutch is always on the far left; far enough never to be mistaken as the brake or vice-versa.

I wonder if in countries where driving stick was the norm if people would have such a hard-on and so much pride for it.
Have only owned manual cars and don't regret it, but frankly I don't think about it at all lol it just becomes second nature. I don't hail it as some 'art form' or some mystical lifestyle.

There are some terrible automatic gearboxes out there and the last few cars I've owned I wouldn't even have considered getting the slushbox on ('88 300zx, '90 Miata, '00 Miata, '09 Astra). The BMW 8-speed, VW DSG, and Porsche PDK to name a few though.... well that's a different story. I've driven manual versions of the E90 M3, Mk5/6 GTI, and Porsche 997 and have never left impressed by the gearboxes; the auto-manual debate is very car specific but people talk about it like it HAS to be one way/way of life.


It's not so much as a hard-on or pride. I've always viewed it similar to the skill of swimming and why my parents pushed it to me when I was a kid despite me not really being interested in it.

Am I always in the beach? no
Do I even have a pool to use it on? no
Can I always just avoid the water (beach/pool)? yes I can

But, just like swimming, it's always just a nice skill to have whether you end up using it or not.


If you were to ask me why I would push it? It's because if you know how to drive a manual, you know how to drive any car. It's just as simple as that. No pride, no ego, no fast and the furious aspirations... just as simple as being able to drive any car.

[ZN6]

Go into auto car, step on "clutch". "Clutch" pedal is actually brake pedal. Habitually step on "brake" pedal, which is the gas. Start the car, and VVVRRRRRRRRR. I've done this a few times, brain farted.

:suspicious: I've owned both LHD and RHD cars, Pedal layout for the throttle is always the right foot on the right side of the footwell.... when did the throttle move to the middle? Unless Lada started making some weird stuff out of Russia, and you drive that said Lada, don't know how you can get confused with the brake and gas....

Well, then again, you have some drivers who mistake the gas for the brake and plough into other things so I guess it's possible for the reverse to happen.

[Fafine]

Go into auto car, step on "clutch". "Clutch" pedal is actually brake pedal. Habitually step on "brake" pedal, which is the gas. Start the car, and VVVRRRRRRRRR. I've done this a few times, brain farted.

....

[trollguy]

i regret learning manual. it was my intention to put in my resume as a "skill" however it seems to be clearly overlooked by every potential employer.

[Expresso]

i regret learning manual. it was my intention to put in my resume as a "skill" however it seems to be clearly overlooked by every potential employer.

Become Truck driver.

[trollguy]

Become Truck driver.

Oh, that could have been my problem. I kept applying at retail jobs.

[trollguy]

Actually, I'd like to retract my statement.

I have no ragrets learning manual

[bcrdukes]

I have no ragrets learning manual

Really? Spelling incorrectly like it's the cool thing to do? :rolleyes:

You'll never be a hipster. :accepted:

[knight604]

stfu hipster go change the gears on your bike

[trollguy]

Really? Spelling incorrectly like it's the cool thing to do? :rolleyes:

You'll never be a hipster. :accepted:

brb, gotta instagram my coffee while at 49th parallel.

[Gumby]

When I was in university, it's was great driving a small, manual car (97 GS-R).

Now that I am married & with kids, I'll stick with my automatic SUV (Honda Pilot).

Maybe when my kids are older, I'll buy them a manual beater. :)

[TOS'd]

stfu hipster go change the gears on your bike

what gearS :troll:

[rubencruz]

I drive both auto car and a manual car .I like how responsive the manual is and hated the lag on auto cars growing up . New auto cars changed so much that there is barely an lag when pressing the gas, better gas mileage and now have duel clutches :woot2:

[knight604]

You should see the turbo lag on automatics LOL i wanna kill myself.

[shenmecar]

You should see the turbo lag on automatics LOL i wanna kill myself.

drive non-turbo automatic cars then?

[maksimizer]

this thread is cute

[underscore]

It's also a good skill to learn; you never know when you may need to know how to drive stick. I've heard of a few instances where someone was either too drunk or injured and couldn't drive their car, so their friend had to. Important life skill, IMO.

This right here, even if people don't like driving stick and don't want to own a manual IMO every single person should at least know how to get a manual car moving in case of an emergency.

[multicartual]

You should see the turbo lag on automatics LOL i wanna kill myself.

With automatics you can brake boost...

[kevinC]

Whenever I go back to an automatic car for a day, I seem to always stomp on the brake with my left foot as if it were the clutch. It happens when I'm almost coming to a complete stop and I'm trying to take it out of gear before it stalls.

But yeah, first couple weeks of driving a manual was pretty shitty, and almost had me wishing I got an auto. But after that, it becomes a normal reflex and you don't even think about it anymore.

[trollguy]

With automatics you can brake boost...

i havent seen that term used since the days of turbodreams.mpg...

[multicartual]

i havent seen that term used since the days of turbodreams.mpg...


My Typhoon launched pretty crazy when I used the brake boost!!! It also ran methanol spray

[Russkii]

I have a question, what is the correct way of stopping with a manual transmission? I've watched so many videos on YouTube but everyone does it differently and I just want to know how you guys do it. Also is it bad to have my clutch in when I'm trying to slow down and drive at an angel on speed bumps? (my car's lowered). I don't know what's the right way for this too. Going over speed bumps with a lowered car. I just got my first manual car so I'm still learning.

[Araaadi]

Just updating you guys, picked up my first manual car yesterday. Been having fun trying to get a hang of it, im still stalling but kept improving as the day went on. I didn't get a chance to get lessons first because the instructor was too busy. I keep getting funny looks when people see me stall in my g37s

[SpeedStars]

I have a question, what is the correct way of stopping with a manual transmission? I've watched so many videos on YouTube but everyone does it differently and I just want to know how you guys do it. Also is it bad to have my clutch in when I'm trying to slow down and drive at an angel on speed bumps? (my car's lowered). I don't know what's the right way for this too. Going over speed bumps with a lowered car. I just got my first manual car so I'm still learning.

If I'm going towards a red light or stop sign, I clutch in while leaving it in gear. Other method is to put in neutral and coast. The problem with that is if a car decides to swerve in front of you, you can't move. Speed bumps depend how lowered you are/size of speed bump. I'm not even lowered that much and I can't get over the bumps at Lansdowne

[Russkii]

If I'm going towards a red light or stop sign, I clutch in while leaving it in gear. Other method is to put in neutral and coast. The problem with that is if a car decides to swerve in front of you, you can't move. Speed bumps depend how lowered you are/size of speed bump. I'm not even lowered that much and I can't get over the bumps at Lansdowne

Leaving the clutch in, isn't that bad? Isn't that called riding the clutch? Or is it that different?

[PuYang]

"Riding the clutch" is when you leave your foot resting on the clutch pedal enough that its at the "engagement" point or near it. (Not fully engaged or fully disengaged). That engagement/friction point is where the most clutch wear occurs.

Pressing the clutch all the way in and fully disengaging the clutch = neutral (which is what I believe speedstars is referring to). Its still "bad" if you sit at every red light holding the clutch in for long periods of time. Its always better to shift to neutral and let go of the clutch if you know you won't be moving for a while.

[z3german]

you should be leaving it in gear until just below 1k revs then depress clutch, neutral, release clutch

Always safer to leave it in gear until the very last moment

[Russkii]

"Riding the clutch" is when you leave your foot resting on the clutch pedal enough that its at the "engagement" point or near it. (Not fully engaged or fully disengaged). That engagement/friction point is where the most clutch wear occurs.

Pressing the clutch all the way in and fully disengaging the clutch = neutral (which is what I believe speedstars is referring to). Its still "bad" if you sit at every red light holding the clutch in for long periods of time. Its always better to shift to neutral and let go of the clutch if you know you won't be moving for a while.

Okay good because that's what I thought so too or what I've been told by a couple of my friends is that when the clutch is all the way pushed in that it's fine but not holding for TOO LONG.

you should be leaving it in gear until just below 1k revs then depress clutch, neutral, release clutch

Always safer to leave it in gear until the very last moment

Thanks for the advice! :)

[foodtruck]

I know how to drive a little bit driving it for a few hours today with my buddy, I still stall from starting the car off in 1st gear and starting off at a red light:heckno:

I was in the same situation a few months ago. Thought I was good to go, bought the car, then realized I still have work to do. Had to bus to work for a few days and tool around neighbourhood streets during after hours. I absolutely had times where I was freaking out about not being able to drive the thing daily in traffic. Good news is that it does become second nature. The kind of traffic you find annoying while driving stick is the same kind you find annoying while driving auto.

I think the pivot point after which things got better is when I persuaded myself that, yes, it's OK to slip the clutch during the transitions, that's what the damn thing is made for. Don't rev up, just maintain your RPMs and work the clutch so that the car to starts moving. It's also OK to slip the clutch a tad when shifting from first to second. With time you'll learn your gearbox and you'll have to slip less and less.

PS: If you're looking for a practice hill, try going up 3rd avenue turning from 12th street in New Westminster :sweetjesus:

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.2031736,-122.9249397,3a,75y,52.45h,64.06t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sZ-rmRUyb8sJAQ6pgttvOBQ!2e0

[foodtruck]

Also, if you like graphs, another thing that I think will help which nobody ever explains about the clutches is how the pressure changes with pedal travel. Found this which I think illustrates the situation.

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ame/2014/824853.fig.004.jpg

So basically it's linear but only during engagement interval. Depending on the car, it can begin early or late during pedal travel (in this case, it's very early) and is typically much shorter than entire pedal travel distance, so you have to move your leg much slower.

[underscore]

"Riding the clutch" is when you leave your foot resting on the clutch pedal enough that its at the "engagement" point or near it. (Not fully engaged or fully disengaged). That engagement/friction point is where the most clutch wear occurs.

Pressing the clutch all the way in and fully disengaging the clutch = neutral (which is what I believe speedstars is referring to). Its still "bad" if you sit at every red light holding the clutch in for long periods of time. Its always better to shift to neutral and let go of the clutch if you know you won't be moving for a while.

Agreed, but a new driver is more likely to wear out the clutch slipping it too much than by keeping the pedal in too much. Also when you are stopped for a while and put it in neutral, pay more attention to the traffic around you so that you can put it into gear before you need to start moving to avoid having to scramble when you should already be moving.

[Araaadi]

My biggest problems so far are hills, getting off first and reverse. I notice I am fine till I see someone behind me and starts to freak out and i'll stall

[z3german]

My biggest problems so far are hills, getting off first and reverse. I notice I am fine till I see someone behind me and starts to freak out and i'll stall

handbrake it, you will feel the cars suspension move a little signifying you should release the handbrake

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

I need some tips guys... the trouble I am having the most is starting off from first to second gear, the shift is rough.. sometimes I do it right but most of the time its wrong. How fast am i supposed to let out the clutch when going from first to second and what RPMS? I shift at 2500-3000rpm but my car jerks unless I let the clutch out slowly, is that riding the clutch?

Also, If i hard accelerate from a dead stop, do I stay in first gear all the way close to redline before shifting to next gear? my wheels spin a lot when I attempted to hard accelerate.

Lastly, I am doing fairly well on an incline but when I attempted to go up a really steep hill from a stop, my tires spin like crazy in first gear, If I only gas a tiny bit, the car will stall.

How long did it take you guys to be be really good driving stick and learning to heel toe downshifting? As of now, I only go into neutral and coasting to a stop because I am not too sure which RPMS to downshift at otherwise the vehicle will jerk unless I try rev matching first. :failed: This is my first week of owning a manual.

[jcmaz]

the trouble I am having the most is starting off from first to second gear, the shift is rough.. sometimes I do it right but most of the time its wrong. How fast am i supposed to let out the clutch when going from first to second and what RPMS?

When to shift: It really depends on your car and road conditions. Basically your 1st gear is to get the car moving. On my 05 Ralliart, I shift at 2k rpm from 1st to 2nd on flat roads or approx 2.5k rpm on hills.

I shift at 2500-3000rpm but my car jerks unless I let the clutch out slowly, is that riding the clutch?

Wiki on riding clutch: Clutch control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutch_control#Riding_the_clutch)

To answer your question: no you aren't riding the clutch. Your car jerks because you are suddenly cutting the power from your engine to your drive train.

If i hard accelerate from a dead stop, do I stay in first gear all the way close to redline before shifting to next gear? my wheels spin a lot when I attempted to hard accelerate.

There's too much torque being transmitted onto the road at once. Therefore you should slowly let go of the clutch when you accelerate.

Lastly, I am doing fairly well on an incline but when I attempted to go up a really steep hill from a stop, my tires spin like crazy in first gear, If I only gas a tiny bit, the car will stall.

Clutch modulation is key my friend. When going up hill, hold your throttle at a steady position (say 30%) and slowly let go of the clutch. On my RA, I give enough throttle to get to approximately 2k rpm and slowly let go of the clutch. But I think you should try the handbrake method instead. You pull you handbrake when you are stopped, step on clutch and engage 1st gear. Then give enough throttle and modulate clutch until you feel the car is slightly going forwards, but restrained by your brakes. Then release hand brake.

I'd try it out on an empty stretch of hill first before attempting with other road users behind you.

EDIT:

Don't bother to rev match just yet. The reason why your car is jerking is because you are letting go of the clutch way too quickly. Try moving your car in 1st gear without even touching the throttle pedal as practice. You'll quickly find out that dumping your clutch = stall and feathering your clutch = movement.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

When to shift: It really depends on your car and road conditions. Basically your 1st gear is to get the car moving. On my 05 Ralliart, I shift at 2k rpm from 1st to 2nd on flat roads or approx 2.5k rpm on hills.



Wiki on riding clutch: Clutch control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutch_control#Riding_the_clutch)

To answer your question: no you aren't riding the clutch. Your car jerks because you are suddenly cutting the power from your engine to your drive train.



There's too much torque being transmitted onto the road at once. Therefore you should slowly let go of the clutch when you accelerate.



Clutch modulation is key my friend. When going up hill, hold your throttle at a steady position (say 30%) and slowly let go of the clutch. On my RA, I give enough throttle to get to approximately 2k rpm and slowly let go of the clutch. But I think you should try the handbrake method instead. You pull you handbrake when you are stopped, step on clutch and engage 1st gear. Then give enough throttle and modulate clutch until you feel the car is slightly going forwards, but restrained by your brakes. Then release hand brake.

I'd try it out on an empty stretch of hill first before attempting with other road users behind you.

EDIT:

Don't bother to rev match just yet. The reason why your car is jerking is because you are letting go of the clutch way too quickly. Try moving your car in 1st gear without even touching the throttle pedal as practice. You'll quickly find out that dumping your clutch = stall and feathering your clutch = movement.

Letting out the clutch slowly when shifting 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is completely and not hurting the clutch correct? I was afraid because today my shifts have been completely smooth letting the clutch out slowly and stepping onto the throttle slowly at 2500rpm. If I do what I did before by quickly letting go of the clutch, car will jerk violently lol.

The hill I attempted to go up was this one. ?what is the degrees of Oxford Street hill of white rock, BC?? (http://whiterockbeach.ca/2013/01/10/what-is-the-degrees-of-oxford-street-hill-of-white-rock-bc/)

I made it up twice but spun like crazy in first gear into 2nd gear and crawling up because if I shifted, I would stall. In the rain too..

[KDMofo]

Letting out the clutch slowly when shifting 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is completely and not hurting the clutch correct? I was afraid because today my shifts have been completely smooth letting the clutch out slowly and stepping onto the throttle slowly at 2500rpm. If I do what I did before by quickly letting go of the clutch, car will jerk violently lol.

The hill I attempted to go up was this one. ?what is the degrees of Oxford Street hill of white rock, BC?? (http://whiterockbeach.ca/2013/01/10/what-is-the-degrees-of-oxford-street-hill-of-white-rock-bc/)

I made it up twice but spun like crazy in first gear into 2nd gear and crawling up because if I shifted, I would stall. In the rain too..

Letting the clutch out slowly wont hurt it, as long as youre not applying heavy throttle as you do so. Does your car have rev hang? My car shifts 1-2nd the worst because of it, usually I have to push the clutch and wait .5sec for the rpm's to drop before letting go of the clutch. Sometime i'll just slowly let go of the clutch and as I do that the rev's drop and my engine and wheels match each other.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

Letting the clutch out slowly wont hurt it, as long as youre not applying heavy throttle as you do so. Does your car have rev hang? My car shifts 1-2nd the worst because of it, usually I have to push the clutch and wait .5sec for the rpm's to drop before letting go of the clutch. Sometime i'll just slowly let go of the clutch and as I do that the rev's drop and my engine and wheels match each other.

I haven't really noticed rev hang, I am just usually trying to balance out the gas pedal as I am slowly releasing the clutch 1st-2nd gear. Is that what we are supposed to do in a manual car? Or is it the correct way when you give throttle only when the clutch is fully released? My vehicle was jerking before when I would only give throttle once I fully release clutch, now smoother as I try the balancing but i am afraid I am damaging the clutch. I am only able to do this balancing if my heel is resting on the ground for the clutch otherwise I won't be able to feel the balance if my foot is completely on the clutch. How do you guys do it?

[jcmaz]

Don't give throttle after you release the clutch. That's the main reason why your ride is jerky. Slowly releasing the clutch is what you need to do.

Your clutch is designed to handle driver mistakes. Honestly, don't worry about damaging your clutch. I think you need to figure out where the engagement point is for your clutch and build muscle memory though practising starting a stationary car on a hill without wheel spin and practice moving a stationary car without touching throttle at all, just start it by feathering the clutch.

[Djiban]

Release the clutch up to the engagement point, then push the gas pedal accordingly while continually releasing the clutch. It's the same how you do it for every gear.

[kr4l]

Hey guys, I'm new here and would like to give some insight

What you need to do is learn to ride the clutch. Try to move the car without pressing the gas pedal. Once you have that down, you can slowly press the gas while riding the clutch and releasing the clutch. Stop and start this about 10 times. After that, you should be all good. The hardest part is 1st to 2nd. Once you have that down, should be piece of cake

Should work for you if I can teach my fiancé with this method.

Oh and don't think too hard or else you'll stall for sure

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

man oh man, this is the worst part for me when driving stick. Starting off smoothly first to second and up hills. I start sweating so bad when people pull up so close behind me so I am trying my best to avoid hills at the moment lol. So right now what I am doing is correct? Neutral at red light, light turns green, I clutch in, first gear, and slowly give throttle to 2000rpm and release the clutch a little until 3000 rpm and then I clutch in, go to second and slowly gas same time as releasing clutch slowly so that its smooth transition. Any affordable places around that could teach me for one day and see what im doing wrong?

[kr4l]

If your in Richmond, I could give you a few minutes of my time

[thumper]

they should make driving manual mandatory to passing your driving exam... that should weed out the lazy ones lol.

if this guy can do it in a gt500, no one should have an excuse... (donuts optional)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPePf34eOGg

more gt500 goodness :devil: ...

http://youtu.be/gd8Ip2BzXKE

try youtube for visual pointers. for example i googled this from jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/5230172/how-to-drive-a-stick-shift-in-ten-easy-steps

http://youtu.be/Q2ZuubLx8u0

back in the day my first time learning stick shift i burned out the clutch on a classmate's 1976 civic. i can still remember the clutch smoke coming through the floor. good times.

practice someplace safe. i also used to spend a long time going around the sfu parking lots on weekends when there is no one around. i don't know what security is like these days but back then as long as you don't do anything stupid and don't hit anything or anyone they just let me do my own thing...

[kkthind]

Strong bump, 10/10 would read again :pokerface:

[thumper]

so, as you get proficient and learn that your left foot actually can be used for other things in life other than keeping you from falling over when standing up, there is the following:

heel and toe... :thumbsup:

http://youtu.be/VxGtx9xXhlM

powershifting and quickshifting.... :p

http://youtu.be/KHaVoSnzymQ

[thumper]

left foot braking... :eek:

http://youtu.be/xl7O01h7MU4

burnout... :D

http://youtu.be/QoVWFHX6_hk

... and this is why automatics and flappy paddles are boring :failed:

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

if cruising around vancouver or any of the cities, which gear would be best to be in with a 6 speed manual? Do i really need to shift all the way to 6th all the time or only on highway speeds?

[Jmac]

It depends on a lot of factors but, in general, most cars shouldn't be in top gear at city speeds.

[thumper]

depends on the car, how much power it has and how the car is geared. in the city, if the conditions are steady traffic at a regular speed limit without interruptions, on flat or somewhat downhill, i would be in 6th. always remember that 5th and 6th are generally overdrive gears.

if i have to deal with stop and go traffic, i never go past 2nd or at most 3rd.

[Matlock]

Vancouver + Burnaby is a tough place to learn with steep hills and stop and go traffic up and down those hills.

I learned in 2010 with my brand new Suzuki SX4. I was a slow learner with a heavy foot, but kept at it.

If I were to give myself from back then some advice, I would have to say don't be afraid to wear out the clutch a little bit. Much better than stalling or grinding gears.

I improved and learned the most on long trips with hills such as going to Osooyoos or Whistler. You'll pick up on when to shift up/down and how to conserve your brakes.

Driving standard is awesome. I now never get sleepy at the wheel and you really do become one with the machine. My car is slow, but fun to drive.

[thumper]

Boundary and hastings... if you can make it up that hill on the boundary side you can make it anywhere :thumbsup:

[snowball]

Boundary and hastings... if you can make it up that hill on the boundary side in the rain you can make it anywhere :thumbsup:

even better

[thumper]

all i know is that when i have to drive something with an auto trans all i can think of is "this sucks".

having said that, there are days when i am at my worst, uncoordinated and screwing up everything and all i want to do is just get out and walk.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

http://financenot.com/image/images/23.gifall you stick drivers out there, do you enjoy driving manual after a while? or do you feel lazy or it gets tedious and draining from time to time? How long does it usually take for a newbie to pick it up and start driving comfortably without looking at the RPM dial, and also learning hill starts? http://financenot.com/image/images/51.gif


I chose stick because I love driving in general, always love cars, love to drive and cruise even if it wastes gas. I knew I would have more fun with stick. Just hardest part is learning phase but with good advice from friends and good people, I am getting the hang of it quickly. If you enjoy driving then you will have a blast and will never get bored of it.

[kr4l]

http://financenot.com/image/images/23.gifall you stick drivers out there, do you enjoy driving manual after a while? or do you feel lazy or it gets tedious and draining from time to time? How long does it usually take for a newbie to pick it up and start driving comfortably without looking at the RPM dial, and also learning hill starts? http://financenot.com/image/images/51.gif

Been driving stick for 12 years. Every car I've owned has all been manual. My gf has an automatic and I drive both equally. Once you drive manual for awhile, you don't think your driving a manual or auto anymore, it's becomes a natural reaction to step on the clutch when your suppose to. I picked it up driving around my block once when I got my first crx. It's not as hard as it looks. Just practice going from stop, learn to ride the clutch, first gear then second gear. Rinse and repeat. its basically impossible to fail going into the higher gears.

[Araaadi]

OP: Did you end up getting a g37?

So far, I've had a manual since September and haven't regretted learning and owning one once yet. I have no experience with any fancy shifting, just the basics to get me places but I'm excited to learn more.

[Tone Loc]

http://financenot.com/image/images/23.gifall you stick drivers out there, do you enjoy driving manual after a while? or do you feel lazy or it gets tedious and draining from time to time? How long does it usually take for a newbie to pick it up and start driving comfortably without looking at the RPM dial, and also learning hill starts? http://financenot.com/image/images/51.gif

Personally I feel it depends on the car as well.

When I was DD'ing my AE86 it was super fun, I honestly enjoyed driving, even sitting in stop-and-go with a stiff clutch and lightweight flywheel (easier to stall) was not a hassle. Drove every day for 6-7 months, never felt like it was a chore and that's when I was learning too.

Fast forward to nowadays, my DD is a 1996 Civic and it's SUPER slow so I find it super tedious as first gear is pretty worthless and I find myself being outpaced by traffic (who are probably mostly auto drivers) all the time, being tailgated, people cutting me off etc. It is also very "jerky" at gears 1 and 2, let off the gas while moving and it bucks hard, and bucks more when you reapply the throttle (i.e., if someone in front of you slows down to turn right). The shifter is also so sloppy and it's easy to miss shifts or even grind gears. Don't even get me started on the clutch, maybe it's because I learned with a stiff one but I find there's just too much "room" in it which makes my driving jerkier. It has convinced me to find an automatic daily until my AE86 is done being built because I would rather take transit (and sometimes I do) than drive it...

Just my $0.02...

[snowball]

Driven a manual as a daily for the last 10 years 50/50 city and highway.

The only gripe I have now is that the clutch is too heavy for my old legs during commutes... so it's time to get a new daily driver, all the new manuals in non-performance cars have pretty light clutches that are super easy to drive. I'll keep my current car as a weekend car. Never auto.

[maksimizer]

Hard to tokyo drift in an auto.

[GabAlmighty]

The Raptor's fun to drive, it's an auto.

[PandaDog]

I remember learning how to start on hills. It was difficult, since I didn't realize you needed to step down on the pedal more and get rpms up before you will actually move.

At first, I used the ebrake method. Then my cousin's boyfriend called me a pussy, and I have not used the ebrake to start on hills ever since.

Ebrake method is harder in my opinion

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

I remember learning how to start on hills. It was difficult, since I didn't realize you needed to step down on the pedal more and get rpms up before you will actually move.

At first, I used the ebrake method. Then my cousin's boyfriend called me a pussy, and I have not used the ebrake to start on hills ever since.

Ebrake method is harder in my opinion

do you guys mean blip the throttle before letting go of the clutch or consistently holding onto the throttle at a specific rpm while letting go of the clutch on a hill? Few people have said "learn to ride your clutch" What do they mean by that? holding in the clutch half way and gas at a bit at same time or completely using momentum of car while letting go of clutch without throttle?

[PandaDog]

Well, what I do is keep my brake pedal depressed while waiting to move. I release the brake pedal and get into gear within half a second while gasing enough to move forward

Riding the clutch:
Some people will keep their car stopped on a hill with the clutch partly engaged while stepping on the gas... I don't think that's good for the clutch :heckno:

[entrax]

Well, what I do is keep my brake pedal depressed while waiting to move. I release the brake pedal and get into gear within half a second while gasing enough to move forward

Riding the clutch:
Some people will keep their car stopped on a hill with the clutch partly engaged while stepping on the gas... I don't think that's good for the clutch :heckno:

wait what? why would you not be in gear already while waiting to move? shouldn't you have it in 1st already, brake and clutch depressed?

when I was first learning, whenever i did the hastings/boundary hill, i would let go of the clutch just to get a feel of where the engagement point was for a second or two, then depress it again, so when i actually have to start moving, I have a fresh idea where the engagement point was.

[PandaDog]

wait what? why would you not be in gear already while waiting to move? shouldn't you have it in 1st already, brake and clutch depressed?

when I was first learning, whenever i did the hastings/boundary hill, i would let go of the clutch just to get a feel of where the engagement point was for a second or two, then depress it again, so when i actually have to start moving, I have a fresh idea where the engagement point was.

I was told not to depress on the clutch for an extended period of time. Just to clarify I leave it in neutral and step on the brake when I know it's going to be 10 seconds or more of waiting before actually moving. When the light is about to turn, or the car in front of me is about to move, I'll already be in gear and take off normally

[ZN6]

I remember learning how to start on hills. It was difficult, since I didn't realize you needed to step down on the pedal more and get rpms up before you will actually move.

At first, I used the ebrake method. Then my cousin's boyfriend called me a pussy, and I have not used the ebrake to start on hills ever since.

Ebrake method is harder in my opinion

Ebrake method saves your clutch on a hill. I used to not use the handbrake while on a hill but the cost of replacing a worn clutch is much greater than replacing brakes. I've used the ebrake method on a hill ever since I replaced a clutch and found out how much work and cost it involved. Ebrake on to keep the car from rolling back is much less wear on the brakes than it is to burn the clutch trying to get the car moving against gravity up a hill.

The more I can save on the clutch the better. My advice, use the ebrake to save wear and tear going up a hill and it decreases the chance of rolling back into someone.

On another note, extended depression of the clutch wears out the throwout bearing more quickly. The more you move the clutch either stopped or moving, the more wear you will put on it. Then you see the dumb ass drivers that roll back and forth using the friction point on a hill thinking they are bad ass but I feel sorry for the clutch disc screaming in agony of the dumb ass driver.

[TOPEC]

do u guys all give it throttle while letting the clutch out when starting off a hill? cus if u do ur doing it wrong, thats y the clutch wears out fast...

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

do u guys all give it throttle while letting the clutch out when starting off a hill? cus if u do ur doing it wrong, thats y the clutch wears out fast...

how do you do it correctly? So many mixed answers...:suspicious:

[SpuGen]

do u guys all give it throttle while letting the clutch out when starting off a hill? cus if u do ur doing it wrong, thats y the clutch wears out fast...

As opposed to?

Define Hill.
Hastings/Boundary?
Boundary/Grandview?

[PandaDog]

do u guys all give it throttle while letting the clutch out when starting off a hill? cus if u do ur doing it wrong, thats y the clutch wears out fast...

What do you mean? If you don't add in gas you aren't going to be moving anywhere on any uphill. :concentrate:
I think it's wrong if you still have your clutch partially engaged for any longer than a full second.


Ebrake method saves your clutch on a hill. I used to not use the handbrake while on a hill but the cost of replacing a worn clutch is much greater than replacing brakes.

On another note, extended depression of the clutch wears out the throwout bearing more quickly. The more you move the clutch either stopped or moving, the more wear you will put on it. Then you see the dumb ass drivers that roll back and forth using the friction point on a hill thinking they are bad ass but I feel sorry for the clutch disc screaming in agony of the dumb ass driver.

I don't think there's much of a difference with respect to wear using the ebrake method or the brake + quickly switch into gear method.
I do believe there is more wear when people don't have enough practice with the brake + quickly switch into gear method, because they're rolling back and they're slipping the clutch to try to gain momentum to move forward.

I don't use the ebrake myself, because on most uphills I won't roll back after letting go of my brakes as I can get into gear really quickly. Practice makes perfect. I start on hills as quickly as on a flat road.

[TOPEC]

if u know how to modulate the clutch ur actually able to roll the car forward without giving any throttle, even on up hills. u guys make it sound like ur reving the engine and then letting go of the clutch to prevent a stall which is putting more wear on the clutch than it needs.

[PandaDog]

if u know how to modulate the clutch ur actually able to roll the car forward without giving any throttle, even on up hills.

Wouldn't that still require clutch slipping?
On moderately steep hills I can't imagine overcoming the force of gravity if you don't add a bit of gas. Seems to me like the car would stall

[TOPEC]

yes ur still slipping the clutch but no where as bad as reving the engine then letting go the clutch to slip it, or using the ebrakes to hold the car n slipping the clutch to overcome the ebrake force then releasing the ebrake

[thumper]

yeah i'm a bit confused with what topec is saying too :confused:

at most, i've been able to modulate the clutch without gas to almost hold the car on the hill and then give it some gas and let out the clutch normally. it's easy with a v8 mustang, but a 4 cyl tercel not so much

[Qmx323]

Every time I sit down, clutch in and start the car, i forget about all the worries i have for the day, and just focus on me, the machine and the road.

That being said, I hate how it only has 140hp, but being able to control every aspect of the machine is pretty satisfying. I can't imagine how fun it is to row 6 gears in a car with 350+ hp

[thumper]

there is some give and take. when i had my type-r, it was all about redline and fast shifts to keep it within vtec otherwise i was dead in the water. but the car did everything right and the transmission was great so i was always finding enjoyment in that. with the mustang i don't have to go to redline and there is torque everywhere which is addictive... but the getrag isn't known for being slick and smooth like a honda transmission, so it can be frustrating when it starts to bitch.

[ZN6]

I don't think there's much of a difference with respect to wear using the ebrake method or the brake + quickly switch into gear method.
I do believe there is more wear when people don't have enough practice with the brake + quickly switch into gear method, because they're rolling back and they're slipping the clutch to try to gain momentum to move forward.

I don't use the ebrake myself, because on most uphills I won't roll back after letting go of my brakes as I can get into gear really quickly. Practice makes perfect. I start on hills as quickly as on a flat road.

No matter how fast your reaction time is moving from brake to gas pedal, there is a brief moment where the car will roll back. The steeper the hill the harder it is on the clutch.

Not saying that starting from going up a hill without ebrake is wrong or not wrong. I prefer to remove as much of a chance for rollback as possible as well as any added wear to the clutch as long as I can help it. Over time, that tiny added slipping with the little bit of roll back does add up.

Using the ebrake will virtually eliminate roll back between the time you take your foot off the brake and when you apply throttle (if your ebrake is in good condition and your ebrake cable has good tension) so why not?

Either way it's fine if you don't stall or hit the guy behind you. It's just my preference to make use of the brake on an uphill rather than have just a little more cumulative wear on the clutch where I can help it.

[thumper]

i still use the e-brake when i have to park on the hills of new westminster. it's been years of driving stick and it still freaks me out trying to parallel park on some of the cobblestoned streets :o

[entrax]

I was told not to depress on the clutch for an extended period of time. Just to clarify I leave it in neutral and step on the brake when I know it's going to be 10 seconds or more of waiting before actually moving. When the light is about to turn, or the car in front of me is about to move, I'll already be in gear and take off normally

the only wear to depressing the clutch for an extended period of time is with the throwout bearing. After 24 years of use, my original TO bearing was still good to use. they're pretty tough so i think "extended period of time" here would be like...10 minutes imo

[mb_]

I tried the e-brake method when I first started driving manual. Stalled the car. Never done it since.

[underscore]

The ebrake method is okay when you're learning or in a really tight spot on a steep hill, but for normal driving you shouldn't need it. You've got to abuse a clutch pretty badly to wear it out, way more than what a few hill starts will give it.

[R1CED`]

bump from the dead

where's a nice parking lot in vancouver with a decent incline to practice without holding people up? can only think of walmart grandview hwy (but it's not very wide)

[GabAlmighty]

Fuckin giver on the main roads, nothin to it but to do it!

[SSM_DC5]

bump from the dead

where's a nice parking lot in vancouver with a decent incline to practice without holding people up? can only think of walmart grandview hwy (but it's not very wide)

I don't go to Walmart enough to know what kind of incline is there, but the Canadian tire underground has inclines. The exit on skeena, the big ramp in the middle to go between underground and aboveground parking. Also the entrance from skeena to aboveground where the Boston Pizza is.
Or if you want to stay in that area. Then go in the side streets that lead onto Broadway, like by the bc liquor store. Fairly steep and minimal cars around.

[ssjGoku69]

@R1CED if you're learning hill start, I found an empty side street next to a park last month and and drove up and neutralled/reversed down (this way, I didn't need to do 3 point turns)
If you want open road and some incline, how about SFU or BCIT parking lot?

[FerrariEnzo]

Boundary and Hastings!

[320icar]

Are you bringing someone with you who knows already? It’s all about friction point and being able to hold it on the clutch. That’s how I was taught; total game changer.

[mickz]

bump from the dead

where's a nice parking lot in vancouver with a decent incline to practice without holding people up? can only think of walmart grandview hwy (but it's not very wide)

I learned at SFU Burnaby's parking lot. Nobody's there on weekends.

[eclipseman]

Taught my friend at Annacis Island. There are slight hills there and enough room to learn to drive comfortably.

[Hcoreposer]

Alley ways are usually pretty good

[R1CED`]

filthy casual question: i believe by law you're to always be in gear whenever in traffic, but I came across the vehicle's owners manual which says to only clutch in during shifting to avoid unnecessary wear

do most just leave it in N if they know the vehicle's gonna be stationary for more than few seconds?

Fuckin giver on the main roads, nothin to it but to do it!

feels bad killing left-turn lights

[Hcoreposer]

I usually leave it in Neutral at lights. Can't really go anywhere in bumper to bumper traffic anyway to avoid something.

I'm pretty aware anyways and always look at the lights and count downs and anticipate when it's going to start to change so i don't have to rush to put it in gear. There were a few times where i wasn't paying attention when the light turned green and i couldn't get it in to gear for whatever reason. Ended up slipping the clutch to get going lol..

If you left your foot on the clutch pedal then you'll get cramps for sure.

[ssjGoku69]

What do you mean by slipping the clutch to get going?

In 1st gear after the biting point, I inverse the foot movement of the clutch and gas pedal for a smoother gear change. Is that "slipping the clutch"?

[snowball]

filthy casual question: i believe by law you're to always be in gear whenever in traffic, but I came across the vehicle's owners manual which says to only clutch in during shifting to avoid unnecessary wear

do most just leave it in N if they know the vehicle's gonna be stationary for more than few seconds?



feels bad killing left-turn lights

Clutch in at light is recommended for the lowest common denominator of driver, just like going 50.

N at stop lights for me, been driving manual for 15 years and never had a single issue. Always been paying attention at stop lights even when stopped, how long does it take to get going from a stop in neutral? 0.5 seconds max, still get going faster than automatics.

Ever seen someone launch a car into the back of another car because they accidentally let go of their clutch after holding onto it for 3 minutes? I have, lol

[ssjGoku69]

Do you guys add gas before the clutch is fully released when upshifting to 2,3,4,5? or is that considered riding the clutch?

Right now I'm adding gas when the clutch is like 80% released, but I'm not sure if this is considered pre-mature wear on the clutch


edit: I've been watching a lot of youtube videos and I can't seem to find a definitive answer

[AzNightmare]

Do you guys add gas before the clutch is fully released when upshifting to 2,3,4,5? or is that considered riding the clutch?

Right now I'm adding gas when the clutch is like 80% released, but I'm not sure if this is considered pre-mature wear on the clutch


edit: I've been watching a lot of youtube videos and I can't seem to find a definitive answer

Yes, you should be adding gas before you completely release the clutch. That should apply when up shifting to any gear.
Assuming 80% released is where your bite point is, ease out the clutch gradually as you gradually apply gas.


---

Btw, I always recommend this channel to whomever is learning how to drive manual:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc61Q_Z4GEs

IMO, he has the best tutorials and takes his time going through the different scenarios, including not minding to stall or lug his motor just for demonstration purposes.

[thumper]

Boundary and Hastings!

you're not that far off from what i had in mind.

if you keep going north on boundary it will terminate at fellowes:

https://scontent.fcxh2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53279038_10157056152128134_4044980949329379328_o.j pg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh2-1.fna&oh=822f61ffeac3b74416a5487cba5ece88&oe=5D1F311B

it's not as steep as boundary and hastings but its got less traffic and you can circle back for another try:

https://scontent.fcxh2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53862974_10157056152853134_8114378646002597888_o.j pg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh2-1.fna&oh=66678fde52e876e16b1f161ed123d888&oe=5CE236C0

... just a suggestion.

[snowball]

Do you guys add gas before the clutch is fully released when upshifting to 2,3,4,5? or is that considered riding the clutch?

Right now I'm adding gas when the clutch is like 80% released, but I'm not sure if this is considered pre-mature wear on the clutch


edit: I've been watching a lot of youtube videos and I can't seem to find a definitive answer

80% clutch released? or 80% of friction point released? All clutch pedals have a "dead zone" at the top of the travel where nothing happens.

But to answer your question, a "little bit" of gas at the end of the friction point is necessary to ensure smooth transition between gears. The clutch is a wear item so it's not really a big deal unless you're giving it too much gas where your engine is revving but power isnt transferring completely.

[ssjGoku69]

That makes sense. I watched that UK driving video already and footwork when doing the regular shifting. I guess this is just part of regular driving and shouldn't worry about it too much. I just wanted to build good habits when new. thanks everyone :)