New Manual transmission drivers Q&A

[Laika]

Originally Posted by Calidrifter

What I used to do was keep it in neutral an let off the break a little when people are pulling up. This will scare/warn them enough to stay back because I'm driving stick.

I wish I lived somewhere with people as smart as where you live. I swear EVERY time I ever did this the best outcome that ever resulted was the person not creeping UP closer to me. Stopped doing that a year or so after starting to drive a standard.

[Calidrifter]

People here ARE stupid. They just like driving cars that aren't fucked up and need new nose jobs.

[Zadkiel]

It's weird trying to teach someone how to drive manual after years of doing it. I'm trying to teach my wife, so I can give her my Versa and stop constantly fixing her POS 96 Sentra, and it's difficult to relay what I want her to do. After only buying MT cars since I was first taught on one it's just like breathing now. I don't even have to really think of it to do it properly.

[OrbitalEllipses]

The answer to every new manual transmission operator's question: sidestep the clutch.

[aethelwulf]

Originally Posted by elenien

I take it you haven't driven in San Francisco?

I agree though, you shouldn't need it unless the hill is so steep that you just can't react fast enough. Either that or you are worried about the car behind you. Now that so many people grow up on autos and have never driven a manual, a lot of people end up stopping far to close to cars on hills.

Actually I have! There was one hill in SF than I had to use the handbrake on, but for the most part even there it wasn't necessary.

[elenien]

Originally Posted by aethelwulf

Actually I have! There was one hill in SF than I had to use the handbrake on, but for the most part even there it wasn't necessary.

There are a couple of hills I'm pretty sure I would be halfway down the second my foot is off the break Given my reaction time at any rate... (well, that and my inability to operate the break and gas at the same time...)

Though I have noticed that the FRS is much more friendly than some of the cars I've driven. It seems like a great car to learn on.

[cgrey]

Originally Posted by elenien

There are a couple of hills I'm pretty sure I would be halfway down the second my foot is off the break Given my reaction time at any rate... (well, that and my inability to operate the break and gas at the same time...)

Though I have noticed that the FRS is much more friendly than some of the cars I've driven. It seems like a great car to learn on.

You don't use the handbrake or try to transition quickly. The OP has the proper method.

Foot on brake. Clutch out until you feel it grab but not stall. Foot off brake. The car will not move now, at all. Not in SF or anywhere else. I've done this offroad on hills where all I could see was sky.

Now you add gas while letting the clutch out to move the car.

The whole transition takes but a moment and will not wear on the clutch. The handbrake is overly complicated and trying to rev, clutch out, and let go of the brake all at once makes for a jerky start and some clutch wear.

[elenien]

Originally Posted by cgrey

The handbrake is overly complicated and trying to rev, clutch out, and let go of the brake all at once makes for a jerky start and some clutch wear.

Hm... it shouldn't be jerky... using the handbreak should be very smooth. Let out the clutch slowly while applying a little gas until the car start to pull slightly, release handbreak, and start as normal. If anything, I'd think it would be hard on the handbreak...

I've driven manuals for 13 years, but I'm really appreciating all the different comments and techniques mentioned (here and elsewhere). I feel like I've gotten a bit lazy in recent years and have picked up some bad habits along the way... especially driving alone in the car. There is nothing like a passenger to highlight how smooth your shifting isn't.

[cgrey]

Originally Posted by elenien

Hm... it shouldn't be jerky... using the handbreak should be very smooth. Let out the clutch slowly while applying a little gas until the car start to pull slightly, release handbreak, and start as normal. If anything, I'd think it would be hard on the handbreak...

I've driven manuals for 13 years, but I'm really appreciating all the different comments and techniques mentioned (here and elsewhere). I feel like I've gotten a bit lazy in recent years and have picked up some bad habits along the way... especially driving alone in the car. There is nothing like a passenger to highlight how smooth your shifting isn't.

Badly blended sentence. I meant the way people take their foot off the brake, begin to roll backward, lay on the gas and then try to catch the car with the clutch. That part is jerky.

The handbrake just seems like an unnecessary step to me.

[Scooter Style]

Just revv it up and dump it everywhere and especially entering a corner and get some sideways action..... That needs to be a new commercial... like honda's "super tail action", scion/subaru needs a "super sideways action!"

[garsh0p]

Another question: How do you properly slow down to make a turn? Let's say I'm getting to a left turn light at ~50mph or so while I'm in 5th gear. I want to make the turn in 3rd gear? How can i accomplish this smoothly? It is bad to let out the clutch slowly while I'm braking and shifting from 5th to 3rd?

[catharsis]

Originally Posted by garsh0p

Another question: How do you properly slow down to make a turn? Let's say I'm getting to a left turn light at ~50mph or so while I'm in 5th gear. I want to make the turn in 3rd gear? How can i accomplish this smoothly? It is bad to let out the clutch slowly while I'm braking and shifting from 5th to 3rd?

You want to rev match, the absolute smoothest way is to heel toe. But if you're a noob and don't want to learn that (many people refuse) you brake, then rev match (blipping the throttle) and downshift.

[rcm47]

Originally Posted by elenien

I take it you haven't driven in San Francisco?

I agree though, you shouldn't need it unless the hill is so steep that you just can't react fast enough. Either that or you are worried about the car behind you. Now that so many people grow up on autos and have never driven a manual, a lot of people end up stopping far to close to cars on hills.

San Francisco hills scare the crap out of me. Even when I'm in an automatic.

[cgrey]

Originally Posted by garsh0p

Another question: How do you properly slow down to make a turn? Let's say I'm getting to a left turn light at ~50mph or so while I'm in 5th gear. I want to make the turn in 3rd gear? How can i accomplish this smoothly? It is bad to let out the clutch slowly while I'm braking and shifting from 5th to 3rd?

Normal driving situations you can leave it in 5th and brake to the proper speed for your turn then downshift to 3rd before the turn. If that felt smooth, no problems.

If you're going to take that turn at a high rpm in 3rd, a high speed for the gear, you'll have to rev match for a smooth shift.