OK, heres my question. When I reverse currently I usually dont come all the way off the clutch. I usually ease into it get it moving and then keep it there or come off and glide my way into a parking space or what ever I dont like comming completely off the clutch cause it goes backwards too fast.

Also in first gear if im in bumper to bumper traffic I usually pull up by comming off the clutch a little and giving a bit of gas the car starts to move and I usually neutral it and come off the clutch.

Are either of these 2 things bad for my car?

 

What you described is normal driving.

When you are in reverse and don't plan on going very fast in that direction you will keep your foot on the clutch.

When sitting in traffic and you aren't moving you want to keep it in neutral.

 

thats how I do it

 

If it's wrong than I guess I'm hurting my car too. I do the same thing.

 

Good glad to hear, I just wanted to make sure that wasnt considered riding the clutch.

 

Same here. But it does fly in reverse, though. None of my other cars wanted to go that fast off the clutch.

 

I do the same thing. Everyone that I've talked to does the same as well.

 

Me too!

You should be okay!

 

the only time you would be considered riding the clutch is if you use LOTS of gas with the clutch not fully depressed or released in any gear

 

in first I usually rev up to about 2000 RPM's and while im doing that I am comming off the clutch. I wait for the clutch to engage and bring my foot all the way off. WHen I shift form 1-2 or 2-3 etc Its quick I push clutch in, change gears, remove foot from clutch fairly quickly.

The only gear that sometimes I hesitate on is 1-2. Its really hard unless you ease into it for some reason.

 

From what I understand, "riding" the clutch when reversing or trying to go very slow in first (ie. when pulling in a drive way or garage) is considered "normal" and is just contributing to "normal wear and tear". I know a few people that are very learned with manual transmissions and they state that this produces very little wear on the clutch and is a normal and a safe part of driving a manual car.

 

I usually rev up to 2000 RPMS when while comming off the clutch, is that normal?

 

When I drive the ford rangers for work I can take off at about 600 rpm. In my cobalt, 1000rpm is barely possible without stalling it, so 2000 RPM is normal for me if I don't want the people behind me honking. This car stalls easy too. At least in the Ranger you can feel the engine shake before it stalls and have time to give it more gas. In the Cobalt it's just like "Clunk"...

 

i can take off without pushing the gas if I wanted but yeah you will get a honk or two or four if you do that in traffic. It all depends on how quickly you raise the clutch.

 

Thats exactly how our 2003 Civic is. There's no warning before it stalls, get the RPM's a little too low, and its just dead. Hardly even a clunk to speak of

Its much different with a less grabby clutch and a larger engine though. I've driven a couple 5-speed cars with V6 engines, and the difference is quite significant. Not only can you run at ridiculously low RPMs without stalling, but you get a noticeable warning (bogging/shaking) before it dies on you. Same thing with V8's, most muscle cars (Camaro, Mustang, Firebird, GTO) are next to impossible to stall for even a relatively inexperienced driver.

 

HAHA I stalled a 2005 Corvette at PIR in March. Talk about embarrasing.

I can sometimes start mine between 1000-2000rpm, but it's kinda hard.

 

I usually get it going smooth at about 1300. On a hill you better be at 2k or more haha!

 

I learned how to drive on a manual Ranger. I know exactly what your talking about. I stalled out early yesterday. I think the first time with me on the road. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw two guys in an ambulance laugh at me. At least I didn't reconize either of them.

I usually get it going around 2000. I try to do it a bit softer, and sometimes get around 1500, but although it feels really good, is kinda hard to do without too much attention on it.

All the other things I do as well, so that makes me feel better that it's normal. These forums are good for learning what you are and aren't doing right.

 

Thats a bit high.....not terrible but try to get it lower.

Depends how far you are reversing. If your going back say 25+ feet let the clutch out.

And as far as driving a manual in bumper to bumper traffic---try hanging back farther. Try to anticipate traffic flow....this should keep the car moving slowly, which is better then starting and stopping.

 

when i was being tought i was told that letting off the clutch in first till the car grabs is normal and keeps you from drifting backward on hills...or at least thats what i do and it works...but sometimes when i wear heals i tend to over rev..and thats not good....but hey.its better then stalling

 

same here

 

I do the same thing. I can start the SS with no gas at all, or get it rolling below 1k fairly easily, but when I'm in heels it's a whole nother story. I just keep an old set of sneakers in the car when I'm wearing heels just to drive in, then I change back when I get where I'm going. It's just too tricky driving a manual in heels cause I either over rev or my foot slips off the clutch and I stall it.

 

Yea, I know what you mean. Driving in heels is just....oh, crap... I mean...ummm.... I don't do that.... Look, theres a Cobalt SS over there with a stage 2 kit on it!

 

 

Where where! ::ignore's man's feeble atempt at making me think he doesnt wear heels::

hehe nice one.