Driving A MT

[aristo]

Originally Posted by maxeveland

Since car doesn't have too much torque/hp, would you guys say a 6 to 5 downshift is enough on the highway for a simple pass, or do you guys go into 4th?

I do 5 if I'm already starting to pull away but 4 is probably better if you are coming from behind & they are matching your speed already .. also sort of depends on what speed the cars are actually going as well

[jcw99]

Try to find a retired or unemployed truck driver who has time to help you, and good luck to you.

[Alita]

my brz is my first manual as well, and it took a bit of getting used to. i drove it for about three weeks and was pretty decent with it, then decided to lower the engagement point of the clutch and i find it significantly easier, smooth, and more natural feeling.

DIY here:http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8040
it's pretty easy, only took a few minutes ^_^

[Akari]

Originally Posted by maxeveland

Since car doesn't have too much torque/hp, would you guys say a 6 to 5 downshift is enough on the highway for a simple pass, or do you guys go into 4th?

It really depends on the speed you're going. At 55mph I'd go for fourth, 65+ I'd likely hit fifth.

[_j_anthony]

I've been driving stick for a little over a year (65 months or so) and I've stalled 3 times in the last 4 months, these all happened when I first picked up my FR-S, haven't stalled from that point.

[_j_anthony]

As to giving you pointers, driving a manual transmission is all about felling the car, shift slow but swiftly, you could grind the gears if you shift tooo slow. Let the clutch out not too fast and not too slow, also as you let out the clutch you have to give the car a little gas. The ratio isn't 1:1 with those pedals. To sum it all up the key here is doing everything swiftly. Do everything with ease and don't put too hard or soft.

[ZionsWrath]

Yea. the number one thing to do is play with the engagement point in a flat lot. Once comfortable there find an isolated incline and do the same thing.

I had 3 people try to teach me stick over the years. I finally figured it out myself when I had a very nice girlfriend who let me drive her civic Si. Even she didn't explain it the right way but letting me get seat time was invaluable.

[Tcoat]

Trying to tell somebody how to drive standard in writing is like describing a colour to a blind person! There is no real frame of reference. Either get somebody to show you in person (preferably a pro instructor, pro driver or somebody that KNOWS how to do it right) or just go someplace (not sure how you get there) and practice, practice, practice.

[Atticus808]

biggest problem i had was not giving enough gas

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by _j_anthony

I've been driving stick for a little over a year (65 months or so) and I've stalled 3 times in the last 4 months, these all happened when I first picked up my FR-S, haven't stalled from that point.

WOW You guys have long years in Jersey ours are only 12 months long! (Just jokes)

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by maxeveland

Since car doesn't have too much torque/hp, would you guys say a 6 to 5 downshift is enough on the highway for a simple pass, or do you guys go into 4th?

5th for a lazy pass. 4th for a quick pass. 3rd for full speed pass.

Keep in mind max speed in 3rd is 83 mph.

[noodlebaka]

Go out for late night drives so there's no one on the road when you're training yourself if you're that uncomfortable. The point is to go through the motions over and over. Drive up and down hills, through turns, etc. You'll eventually adapt.

It's like studying, but for your muscles and senses. Also more fun than school work.

[Turkish]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Find an instructor and pay a small amount for proper training! Will pay off huge in the long run. Far too many people teach bad habits right from the start and don't even realize it.

QFT

Originally Posted by elliottk

First time driving a MT, pointers??

One bad habit I was taught and I had to try hard to break was keeping my right hand on the shifter. Think of shifting like shooting a gun, only put your finger on the trigger if you are ready to shoot. You want both hands on the wheel 99.99999% of the time, this will help you maintain control if there are any unexpected changes in road texture (such as pot holes or buckling due to erosion of dirt underneath) as well as allowing for smooth, consistent turns. Also avoid shifting while the car is in a turn, the sudden change in torque can result in sudden over or understeer.

[noodlebaka]

Also, don't even worry about more fancy things like rev matching, heel toe, etc. get comfortable first.