Struggling to drive a stick transmission. Help

[asdf]

learn to get used to feeling where the clutch grabs... don't need handbrake...

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by asdf

learn to get used to feeling where the clutch grabs... don't need handbrake...

Yeah, that's two of us that have said this now.
Funny thing is when these people go AT is dumb but they can't drive stick properly.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Yeah, that's two of us that have said this now.
Funny thing is when these people go AT is dumb but they can't drive stick properly.

More like 4000 thousand that have said it over many MANY threads!
Let this one die already!

[johnnyfast11]

learn to drive the stick better.
then you wont struggle anymore.

[kbye]

Originally Posted by johnnyfast11

learn to drive the stick better.
then you wont struggle anymore.

That's the best advice I've heard so so far. /s

[Akari]

Please avoid the trap of using your e-brake for hill starts. Learn to drive your manual properly and you'll never roll back more than an inch or two even on the steepest of hill starts.

The amount of vehicles out there with poor e-brakes that won't hold on steep hills is incredible. Chances are you will be driving quite a few of these in your lifetime.

[paulca]

Sorry, but coming from a country that only drives manuals (except for about 1% autos), using the handbrake on a hill IS the RIGHT way. Has been for a very, very long time. Pedal dancing IS NOT the right way and will fail a learner test OR an advanced test.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by jon2

...............Before i purchase the manuel scion frs i would like to hear experiences on how many hours it took you to drive stick by yourself?
Does it become second nature to the point you dont even think about it like an auto?

Well, hello, Jon2 ...... and welcome to .... The Forum......

Congratulations on your decision to purchase a FR-S!

Back in the day, it was "easier" to learn how to drive a "stick".

Why? Because there weren't many cars with auto transmissions prior to 1950. So, if you wanted to drive ..... you had to learn how to manage a standard transmission and clutch.

Also, the vehicles were geared lower and the flywheels were heavier (made it easier to start off).

Don't get discouraged ...... very few engines ever got killed by stalling them; very few drivers ever died because they stalled an engine.

Like said above ...... practice .. practice .. practice.

I have been driving clutched vehicles for over 65 years, and I still stall my FR-S from time to time ......


humfrz

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Yeah, that's two of us that have said this now.
Funny thing is when these people go AT is dumb but they can't drive stick properly.

Countries that require a manual transmission specific license instruct you to use the handbrake to do a hill start.

http://www.learners-guide.co.uk/less...-and-stopping/
http://www.firstcar.co.uk/learning/d...es-hill-start/


Sure you can certainly set off from a hill without a handbrake (no better test than SF hills ) but using the handbrake is the 'proper' way to do it.

Not to mention that holding yourself stationary by slipping the clutch is generally considered terrible practice and is probably one of most abusive things you can do to your car.

Originally Posted by Akari

Please avoid the trap of using your e-brake for hill starts. Learn to drive your manual properly and you'll never roll back more than an inch or two even on the steepest of hill starts.

The amount of vehicles out there with poor e-brakes that won't hold on steep hills is incredible. Chances are you will be driving quite a few of these in your lifetime.

Edit: If your handbrake cannot hold your car on a hill then it is not in good repair and is a danger on the road, plain and simple. Here's a handful of results from google:
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...4090515AAigkJG
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7457996_te...quirement.html
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...nspection.html
http://massvehiclecheck.state.ma.us/...s/11SPRING.pdf
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...rake-what-now-!

[Akari]

Originally Posted by paulca

Sorry, but coming from a country that only drives manuals (except for about 1% autos), using the handbrake on a hill IS the RIGHT way. Has been for a very, very long time. Pedal dancing IS NOT the right way and will fail a learner test OR an advanced test.

Half the vehicles in the US only have a foot operated parking brake, which would make this task impossible. Not knowing how to start on a hill without a hand brake will leave anyone in the country in very bad place eventually. I'm unsure what your country's requirements are for having a handbrake but there are none that I'm aware of in the US. Out of the three manuals that I own, only one has a handbrake.

It's actually much easier to do once you get used to it.

[AznKirby]

@humfrz You're back!

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by Akari

Half the vehicles in the US only have a foot operated parking brake, which would make this task impossible. Not knowing how to start on a hill without a hand brake will leave anyone in the country in very bad place eventually. I'm unsure what your country's requirements are for having a handbrake but there are none that I'm aware of in the US. Out of the three manuals that I own, only one has a handbrake.

It's actually much easier to do once you get used to it.

What did you own? I'm curious since I know they're out there but all four manuals I've owned had a handbrake.

My 500 Abarth has hill-assist, so I was curious and turned it on. Stalled the goddamn car because I didn't expect it to hold as long as it did . Turned it right back off.

[Akari]

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

What did you own? I'm curious since I know they're out there but all four manuals I've owned had a handbrake.

My 500 Abarth has hill-assist, so I was curious and turned it on. Stalled the goddamn car because I didn't expect it to hold as long as it did . Turned it right back off.

Currently a 88 GMC 1/2 ton truck and a 98 3/4 ton. The manual Ford Explorer that I had for a while was very much the same.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by Akari

Currently a 88 GMC 1/2 ton truck and a 98 3/4 ton. The manual Ford Explorer that I had for a while was very much the same.

Ah, trucks.. Yeah, never owned one of those yet.

I think the issue isn't so widespread as you think though. Even if 50% of vehicles do have a foot-operated parking brake, only 6.5% of vehicles in the USA are sold with a manual transmission. Most likely a larger percentage than that 50% also have a handbrake.. So we're probably talking like 1-2% of available vehicles.