So to start off, I did read the driving manual tips but my question wasnt exactly answered in the thread. Also, I have been driving stick since maybe July, so I'm not completely new, but still not the best. Anyway, I got my cobalt ss not too long ago and had a question about taking off. When you give the car gas and release the clutch are the RPM's supposed to drop? Like say I give the car gas to about 1500 RPM and it then drops to 1000 when the clutch grabs and I start going is that bad? I never understood this and don't want to destroy the clutch, thanks

 

You put a load on the engine so of course the rpms with drop.

Your probably riding the clutch a bit.

 

use less gas lol

 

Agreed you maybe riding the clutch. Try this it's not for everyone, but maybe you should
Learn to feel your car more when shifting instead of paying attention to the RPMS.not that they are not important it's just for right now you need to spend more time with feeling your shifts.

 

only touch the gas when your clutch is starting to bite, then give a little gas letting the clutch go.

 

Hold the gas around 1200-1300rpm, and slowly engage the clutch.

As the clutch grabs, a load is put onto your engine, you will see, hear and feel the rpm's of the engine start to go down.

Continue to slowly release the clutch, while at the same time, giving SLIGHTLY more gas to keep the car from stalling.

Try to keep the rpms steady around 1200-1300 until the clutch is completely engaged, and you're off the pedal.

You always end up riding the clutch slightly when taking off.

The key is not to ride it too long, or with your rpms too high, or you'll just cook it.

When you're giving it gas, you almost want to just "flex" your foot, or toe, to press the gas pedal, and not your entire foot pivoting on your ankle.

And when in first, keep your gas pedal presses smooth and fluid. First gear is geared pretty low, and its easy to get this thing jumping and bucking.

Just keep practicing. You will develop a your own method and feel.

Before you know it you'll be heel-toe downshifting corners like a champ! lol

 

How do you heel-toe? the gas pedal is in like a mile compared to the brake lol. Either my feet are too big or i'm retarded lol

 

I believe the pedals are closer together in the SS model's

 

Don't worry about heal toe if your still trying to get moving down pat

 

AGREED! Drove the car for 3 years before trying to learn heel toe. And even then it took a good 6 months to get down.

Basics first. Badass maneuvers later, lol.

 

is your name pat?

 

I'd ssay just practice practice practice.

You already did the first step which was buy a manual car, now you have to refine your skill. Listen to your engine and play with your footing until you figure out where the sweet spot for your car is. Treat it like you would your woman, fines your approach until you got your maneuvers down....

That's what I did

 

Nope. It's Shaun

 

You can if you get pedal covers, both pedals will be wider and the gas pedal gets a little taller because of the bracket needed to mount the cover. That's how I did it on mine.

 

are we talking like gmpp pedals or just cheap autozone stuff?