Random Thoughts - Part Deux [NO POLITICS]

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Phijkchu

Here's my experience with the first time I drove a manual transmission. It's the car's fault not mine To be fair it was a totaled 1st gen tsx that still ran but stuttered along and almost overheated while I was putting around a parking lot.
My current issue when starting is how much do you have to press on the accelerator whilst slowly releasing the clutch? Too much and it isn't smooth. When I try to lessen it a little bit the car either stalls or comes near it. The sweet spot seems a little elusive to me and while experience is obviously necessary as it was just my first time I would like some pointers on how to make it bearable for a passenger. Thanks

Practice. Though I suspect in some cars the accelerator is more finicky than in others, it's really about matching a gradual release of the clutch with the necessary increase in throttle... and you can't slip the clutch for long, so ... yeah. If you're sitting too far back, it'll be harder as well since you have to use some major muscle groups in the legs vs all small muscle groups...

Back when I was a lad and venturing forth on my very first drive in a manual transmission, I was... having problems, shall we say. And a couple slightly older whippersnappers evidently had enough of it in almost no time, so they angrily zoomed past, held their middle fingers high, and yelled "learn to drive, mother****er..." as if that's not what I was doing...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Phijkchu

Here's my experience with the first time I drove a manual transmission. It's the car's fault not mine To be fair it was a totaled 1st gen tsx that still ran but stuttered along and almost overheated while I was putting around a parking lot.
My current issue when starting is how much do you have to press on the accelerator whilst slowly releasing the clutch? Too much and it isn't smooth. When I try to lessen it a little bit the car either stalls or comes near it. The sweet spot seems a little elusive to me and while experience is obviously necessary as it was just my first time I would like some pointers on how to make it bearable for a passenger. Thanks

Telling you how to do it in print is virtually impossible. I could type for hours and you still have no clue or could show you in about 15 seconds and you would be a pro in a few minutes. Just get somebody that knows what they are doing to show you and then develop your own technique. As Cjd said all cars are different so don't expect to learn on one and jump into another and do the exact same thing.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Phijkchu

Here's my experience with the first time I drove a manual transmission. It's the car's fault not mine To be fair it was a totaled 1st gen tsx that still ran but stuttered along and almost overheated while I was putting around a parking lot.
My current issue when starting is how much do you have to press on the accelerator whilst slowly releasing the clutch? Too much and it isn't smooth. When I try to lessen it a little bit the car either stalls or comes near it. The sweet spot seems a little elusive to me and while experience is obviously necessary as it was just my first time I would like some pointers on how to make it bearable for a passenger. Thanks

You have two variables when starting off with a MT. One is how much gas to give it and the other is how slowly to let out the clutch.

So, to learn the technique, I suggest you start by setting the gas as a constant (maybe around 2,000 rpms), then slowly let out the clutch. This way you are only working with one variable at a time.

Once you have figured that out ...... then practice using both variables.


humfrz

[MrFisty]

Personally, I feel that dirt bikes are the best way to learn manual transmissions.

1.) Because the clutch is usually cheap and easily replaced but can take the abuse and probably won't need it.
2. ) Because the fear of planting yourself on the ground tends to speed up that learning curve.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by MrFisty

Personally, I feel that dirt bikes are the best way to learn manual transmissions.

1.) Because the clutch is usually cheap and easily replaced but can take the abuse and probably won't need it.
2. ) Because the fear of planting yourself on the ground tends to speed up that learning curve.

Never even sat on a motorcycle in my life but that sounds like an effective method!
Also any old school farm tractor. If you can manage to shift one of them while moving you can drive anything.

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by Phijkchu

Here's my experience with the first time I drove a manual transmission. It's the car's fault not mine To be fair it was a totaled 1st gen tsx that still ran but stuttered along and almost overheated while I was putting around a parking lot.
My current issue when starting is how much do you have to press on the accelerator whilst slowly releasing the clutch? Too much and it isn't smooth. When I try to lessen it a little bit the car either stalls or comes near it. The sweet spot seems a little elusive to me and while experience is obviously necessary as it was just my first time I would like some pointers on how to make it bearable for a passenger. Thanks

My dad told me when first starting out, its better to give it too much gas than too little while trying to learn the engagement point of the clutch - especially when taking off from a stop. That helped loads, of course it may differ for you.

Still learning though haven't taken my brother's car out in a while.

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

My dad told me when first starting out, its better to give it too much gas than too little while trying to learn the engagement point of the clutch - especially when taking off from a stop. That helped loads, of course it may differ for you.

Still learning though haven't taken my brother's car out in a while.

That is good advice right there!

[Tcoat]

Wow. After tonight I have decided to buy a new At BRZ for under the national average price and install a hydrogen convertor then use a ceramic fuel additive so one tank of gas will last me a year and the engine will be the sole survivor of a nuclear holocaust.
Holy crap what the hell is going on around here?

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Wow. After tonight I have decided to buy a new At BRZ for under the national average price and install a hydrogen convertor then use a ceramic fuel additive so one tank of gas will last me a year and the engine will be the sole survivor of a nuclear holocaust.
Holy crap what the hell is going on around here?

I'm out all day and come home to this!

[Zaku]

Lol my first time in Detroit and I can actually see Canada across the river at least according to my teammates. Cold here tho

[winstonscifi]

Many years ago, one of my friends was telling another friend how to use a clutch. He told him to give it plenty of gas, and just slide your clutch foot off the left side of the pedal....didn't end well!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Zaku

Lol my first time in Detroit and I can actually see Canada across the river at least according to my teammates. Cold here tho

If still there tomorrow wave to me! I will be in Windsor (right across the river)and yes not only can you see it but somebody with a really good arm could throw a rock and hit us. Where are you in Detroit?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

I'm out all day and come home to this!

There is a pile of dumbassery going around tonight!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

..................Also any old school farm tractor. If you can manage to shift one of them while moving you can drive anything.

Especially, if it's pulling something that is stuck in the ground ......


humfrz