Driving Manual Tips
#101
New Member
Join Date: 11-25-08
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got the ultimate "learn manual" test by driving a tractor trailer. That is a whole separate animal. You gotta double clutch those *****, but you can float it if the RPM's match a whole hell of alot easier (no sychros) I do find this useful if I ever nut up enough to get a manual car tho. The shifting is different from a truck since I don't have to push the clutch all the way in to up or downshift.
#104
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
I got the ultimate "learn manual" test by driving a tractor trailer. That is a whole separate animal. You gotta double clutch those *****, but you can float it if the RPM's match a whole hell of alot easier (no sychros) I do find this useful if I ever nut up enough to get a manual car tho. The shifting is different from a truck since I don't have to push the clutch all the way in to up or downshift.
#105
double clutching hmm. Wouldnt that be the same as just taking it out of gear without the clutch. sounds bad but there is no grind when coming out of a gear into nuetral. I try to time it right by doing that and then using the clutch only to engage it into the next gear. Also when shifting up you dont even need to use the clutch if your accelerating at a high enough rpm.
Never burned through a clutch before. dont really do the last bit very much because it freak me out lol. but just my observation of driving a manaul for 10 years.
Never burned through a clutch before. dont really do the last bit very much because it freak me out lol. but just my observation of driving a manaul for 10 years.
#108
I've always driven a car exactly like I ride a motorcycle, especially in regards to the shifting and paying attention. My stock clutch was swapped for the LSJ Upgraded Kit at 91k and the disc looked new. The only time it slipped was when shifting from 1st to 2nd without letting up on the gas. RPM timing is key whether you're using a synchronized trans or not. I've always matched the engine speed with the transmission during normal use no matter what. If you do that you'll never have to replace a clutch unless you want a stronger one.
#109
New Member
I'm going to go ahead and revive this thread, just because of how useful it is and should be kept going in my honest newbies opinion. So Ive been driving around my 09 SS/TC for a month now and I love this car. The problem is, it's my first manual car and my manual driving is a big disappointment to me. I know it takes a while to learn, but the jolts and shakes in between upshifts and downshifts is so annoying that it just makes me furious on the road. The worst part is when I ask my friends for advice on manual driving, everyone thinks that they're a philosopher and starts arguing how I shouldnt be downshifting in the first place cause its killing the clutch blah blah. So just to expand on the instructions here... When downshifting from 3rd to 2nd, am I supposed to HOLD the clutch all the way down to the floor, rev the engine from 2000 RPMS to 3000 RPMS and then let out the clutch fast all the way or to the clutch "catch point"? Also when starting from 1st, am I supposed to be applying gas right before the clutch catch point or during it? Any help is appreciated, thanks.
#111
New Member
#112
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
You have to feather the throttle and clutch in 1st, and if you're jolting and shaking between shifts you're not rev matching correctly. Work on smoothly transitioning off the clutch and getting the revs to match and not drop. It takes some practice but eventually you'll get it
#114
Junior Member
Damn. Didn't know you have to rev match to down shift. Haven't been doing that really. But I do let the clutch out slow when doing it. Learn something new everyday
#116
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
Another recommendation for learning to drive stick, shut the radio off and keep the hvac low, listen to your car and feel what your car is doing.
#117
Senior Member
You're not feathering it then, you're blipping it. Feathering should be less than 200rpm change, unless you have a catless straight piped exhaust no one worth a **** will think you're trying to rev at them. Another recommendation for learning to drive stick, shut the radio off and keep the hvac low, listen to your car and feel what your car is doing.
^ great advice
#119
New Member
Join Date: 06-02-09
Location: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are a bunch of videos on Youtube discussing proper rev-matched downshifts - I highly recommend checking them out, and building some muscle memory with the movement while the car is stationary and/ or off.
Get your upshifts smoothened out first.
For launching, the best way I can put it is: rev-up to around 1100 - 1200 RPM, HOLD IT THERE, then start releasing your clutch. With practice, you'll eventually get the hang of it and do this action within a split second, minimizing clutch wear.
Put simply:
SET YOUR GAS. CLUTCH OFF. AND GO
While shifting, also pay attention to the gear shift lever, and never slam it into gear. Use a light touch so that you can literally feel each gear fall into place (very important for that 1 > 2 upshift). This will help with rev-matching when shifting up.
Get your upshifts smoothened out first.
For launching, the best way I can put it is: rev-up to around 1100 - 1200 RPM, HOLD IT THERE, then start releasing your clutch. With practice, you'll eventually get the hang of it and do this action within a split second, minimizing clutch wear.
Put simply:
SET YOUR GAS. CLUTCH OFF. AND GO
While shifting, also pay attention to the gear shift lever, and never slam it into gear. Use a light touch so that you can literally feel each gear fall into place (very important for that 1 > 2 upshift). This will help with rev-matching when shifting up.
#120
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
There are a bunch of videos on Youtube discussing proper rev-matched downshifts - I highly recommend checking them out, and building some muscle memory with the movement while the car is stationary and/ or off.
Get your upshifts smoothened out first.
For launching, the best way I can put it is: rev-up to around 1100 - 1200 RPM, HOLD IT THERE, then start releasing your clutch. With practice, you'll eventually get the hang of it and do this action within a split second, minimizing clutch wear.
Put simply:
SET YOUR GAS. CLUTCH OFF. AND GO
While shifting, also pay attention to the gear shift lever, and never slam it into gear. Use a light touch so that you can literally feel each gear fall into place (very important for that 1 > 2 upshift). This will help with rev-matching when shifting up.
Get your upshifts smoothened out first.
For launching, the best way I can put it is: rev-up to around 1100 - 1200 RPM, HOLD IT THERE, then start releasing your clutch. With practice, you'll eventually get the hang of it and do this action within a split second, minimizing clutch wear.
Put simply:
SET YOUR GAS. CLUTCH OFF. AND GO
While shifting, also pay attention to the gear shift lever, and never slam it into gear. Use a light touch so that you can literally feel each gear fall into place (very important for that 1 > 2 upshift). This will help with rev-matching when shifting up.
#121
New Member
Join Date: 06-02-09
Location: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Getting moving from a standstill was one of the hardest things I had to grasp when I got my car, back in 2009. Stalled like a mother, trying to leave the dealership.
After coming to terms that as long as there's enough gas being applied for the given clutch engagement rate, it's pretty much impossible to stall.
I made my wife go through these same exact steps when we toyed around a random lot one day. We were both pleasantly surprised at its effectiveness - no stalling, and pretty smooth slow launches!
#125
New Member
You're not feathering it then, you're blipping it. Feathering should be less than 200rpm change, unless you have a catless straight piped exhaust no one worth a **** will think you're trying to rev at them.
Another recommendation for learning to drive stick, shut the radio off and keep the hvac low, listen to your car and feel what your car is doing.
Another recommendation for learning to drive stick, shut the radio off and keep the hvac low, listen to your car and feel what your car is doing.