Brand new 2016 BRZ and first manual car -- some questions and concerns

[aegisdrgn]

If you really want to follow manufacturer's recommended shift points for maximum gas efficiency, you can turn on the gear display / shift indicator...

With car OFF - hit the "ODO/TRIP" button until you see "G-off", press and hold the "ODO/TRIP" button until it says "G-on". Now when you drive, you will see the gear you're currently in displayed as a number, and little triangles pointing up when it's time to shift for maximum fuel efficiency.

With that being said, I gave up watching for those little triangles. Spent too much time staring at instruments and not enough time having fun.

Don't worry about slipping the clutch to get smooth N-1-2 shifts, the clutch can take it - just take it easy if you start noticing a burning smell. IMO 1st gear is only good for 3 things:

1) Stalking people with loaded shopping carts heading back to their cars
2) Starting from a stop
3) Parking on a hill

Oh. I forgot one more thing.

4) Burnouts.

OH WAIT.

5) Figure 8's.

[kevman_101]

Getting into first should not make any grinding noise... but if you are still rolling, it will be very hard. I usually leave it in 2nd as long as the car is moving, but if you want to drop it to first, tap the throttle to get some revs, and don`t force the shifter, it should go in pretty smooth when you get the revs right.

[cjd]

I roll through the gears stopping even if I'm coasting... I want to be able to move again in a pinch!

I also revved past 4k during break in, but not for extended periods. More important is varied rpm, I think. And, lugging the engine will be harder on it than a few moments above 4k.

[TheFakeStig]

Depending on your climate first and second gear can be pretty crunchy. A good fluid swap helps leaps and bounds with this issue. Being very deliberate with your shifts for the first 5-10 minutes on the road is mandatory even after a good redline, or your brand of choice fluid change. after the break in it will get smoother as part of the initial break in period is the gears creating a good seating face by eating into each other. The odd noise you hear when you put it into first from a stop is just drive line slap, if it concerns you then the best way to minimize it is going N-2-1 from a stop before actually starting, as it is less abrupt on the slap for some reason, but in my eyes wont help the longevity of any parts.

[Braces]

I agree with the Fakestig. I always use the sequence N-2-1 when going into 1st. From a standstill .... I do this. I never shift into 1st to slow the car down. As I approach a stop ... I shift down, but never into 1st. The N-2-1 seems to work best for this balky 1st gear.

[ajcarson11]

Originally Posted by SamuelDev

Hey folks!

So I just obtained my dream car -- a brand new 2016 Crystal Black Silica Subaru BRZ Limited. It's my first manual, and barring the first hour or two with it which was stall-city, I'm sort of getting the hang of it. But I still have some concerns.

Here she is, my dream car:



1. Shifting into 1st gear is sometimes a struggle -- in the sense that I really have to jam the shifter forward pretty hard, and I hear a loud "whurring" / "buzzing" from my engine for a second or two afterwards. From my research I gather this is just a result of it being a new car and needing to be broken in. Is this something I should be worried about?

2. The engine break-in period that a lot of people talk about... the consensus seems to be "don't rev above 4k RPM for the first 1000 miles (or in my case ~1600Km). Assuming there is truth to this -- does this mean revving above 4k AT ALL, or just for prolonged periods of time? For example while I'm still getting used to the gas pedal (it's very sensitive compared to my old VW Golf), I may accidentally spike the RPM to above 4k just for a brief second while trying to change gears. Is this doing the same kind of damage that people have the "don't rev above 4k in the beginning" mentality say? Or are they referring to racing / speeding situations where you will have it above 4k for prolonged periods of time?

3. Any general shifting tips for a newbie? 3rd to 4th, 4th to 5th, 5th to 6th -- no problem. It's neutral to 1st, 1st to 2nd where all of my issues lie. I am finding it insanely easy to rev SUPER high while barely touching the gas pedal in while shifting in this range. Am I doing something wrong? Are my steps below relatively accurate?

Neutral to 1st, assuming flat ground:

- Hold clutch
- Hold break
- Release break
- Release clutch to halfway point where clutch begins to engage ever so slightly
- THEN put foot on gas, ever so slightly, revving to maybe 1000-1500 RPM
- Very slowly let off the clutch until it is fully released and the car is going 10-15km/h

1st to 2nd:

- Remove foot from gas
- Press clutch very quickly all the way in
- Move shifter down to 2nd
- Release clutch to halfway point so it begins engaging ever so slightly
- Press gas down a hair
- Slowly release clutch until fully released and going 2nd gear appropriate speed

4. Any general "what gear should I be in when" comments? Here's what I've determined so far from a few days:

Making a slow turn into my driveway or an otherwise very slow turn into somewhere? 2nd gear

Driving at the standard 50-60km/h around a city? 4th gear and hover around 2000RPM

Highway driving at 120km/h? 6th gear hovering between 1500 and 2500 RPM

Cruising around the parking lot at a mall trying to find parking? Haven't decided between 1st and 2nd gear being better, any comments?

5. Some people say that the clutches current spot is really bad for learning manual - I have to release the clutch wayyyyyyyy out before it engages. I know almost nothing about cars or car maintenance... should I do a DIY clutch engagement adjustment myself, or should I find someone more knowledgeable? How trivial is the adjustment, really?

6. Is the general idea that the higher your RPMs, the more gas you're consuming? I'm trying to drive this thing, as I've always driven all of my cars, as fuel-efficiently as I possibly can (when not racing it on a track). Where should I be hovering my RPMs around a city in order to maximize fuel economy? 1500 RPM @ 5th gear? 2000 RPM @ 4th gear? Somewhere else?

7. When driving around a city, bouncing between 2nd and 6th, what RPM do you guy shift at? I've seen some people say 2500RPM shift, 3000RPM shift, 3500RPM shift -- any reasoning behind these, would any be better on the machine / fuel or is it mostly preference?

Any advice / comments would be highly appreciated. Sorry if this is a total noob post, but we all start somewhere!

In regards to #1 -- Make SURE you don't shift into first gear at all when you're above 20mph or so. What I mean by this: When I first started driving manual I thought it would be a good idea to put in the clutch and move the stick into first while slowing down from speed. If you move the stick into first (even with clutch in) when you're going quickly you will hear a whirring sound. Either make certain that you stay in a higher gear until you slow down quite a lot, or put the gear into neutral until you've stopped and are ready to move again.

[TheFakeStig]

Originally Posted by ajcarson11

In regards to #1 -- Make SURE you don't shift into first gear at all when you're above 20mph or so. What I mean by this: When I first started driving manual I thought it would be a good idea to put in the clutch and move the stick into first while slowing down from speed. If you move the stick into first (even with clutch in) when you're going quickly you will hear a whirring sound. Either make certain that you stay in a higher gear until you slow down quite a lot, or put the gear into neutral until you've stopped and are ready to move again.

That whirring sound is the synchros getting up to speed. Unlike older manual transmissions new ones generally have synchronized 1st gears. So long as you aren't above the gearing you will be fine, though it is still ill-advised to go into first gear while moving at all. I suspect this is just due to the long time rule of thumb to not downshift into first that was a result of non synchronized first gears.

[berkbrzfan]

All these simultaneous tasks of worrying about clutch position, looking at revs while shifting, wondering if you are in the right gear etc. is going to further complicate your manual learning process.

Take it easy and get used to the car first. Once you and the car gets comfortable with each other, you will know what is the best to do based on the situation.

Enjoy the learning experience !

[daiheadjai]

Commit the engagement point to muscle memory, and it will become second nature (to the point that you won't need the handbrake except for the steepest inclines).

Just get out there and drive.

Incidentally, the whole break-in thing is one where there's a split in opinions. Some have advocated a hard break-in instead of the traditional method.... Ymmv

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by berkbrzfan

All these simultaneous tasks of worrying about clutch position, looking at revs while shifting, wondering if you are in the right gear etc. is going to further complicate your manual learning process.

Take it easy and get used to the car first. Once you and the car gets comfortable with each other, you will know what is the best to do based on the situation.

Enjoy the learning experience !

Originally Posted by daiheadjai

Commit the engagement point to muscle memory, and it will become second nature (to the point that you won't need the handbrake except for the steepest inclines).

Just get out there and drive.

Incidentally, the whole break-in thing is one where there's a split in opinions. Some have advocated a hard break-in instead of the traditional method.... Ymmv

These^^^^^

I say again. When I teach my grandson to drive this car there are two things I will be doing:

I will be taping over the tach. The rev limiter will protect the car on the up shifts and knowing what your RPMs are if you badly screw up a down shift just gives you the info for the service guys. Learn from the onset when to shift by sounds and feel not by watching a gauge.

I will tape a tack to the top of the shifter. None of this grab the knob F&F style and manhandle it through the gears. He will learn to lightly push and pull the lever with his finger tips and palm butt or bleed all over my car one or the other.

There is no big mystery to driving MT even though some would like people to think there is. There is also no one set method that is used all the time (I do not drive the same at WOT as I do in traffic) but there are some very basic skills that all drivers need to have.

[HachiEnam]

Originally Posted by SamuelDev

Hey folks!


1. Shifting into 1st gear is sometimes a struggle -- in the sense that I really have to jam the shifter forward pretty hard, and I hear a loud "whurring" / "buzzing" from my engine for a second or two afterwards. From my research I gather this is just a result of it being a new car and needing to be broken in. Is this something I should be worried about?
Do not downshift until first unless you're under 6 mph. I believe thats 10 kph for you.

2. The engine break-in period that a lot of people talk about... the consensus seems to be "don't rev above 4k RPM for the first 1000 miles (or in my case ~1600Km). Assuming there is truth to this -- does this mean revving above 4k AT ALL, or just for prolonged periods of time? For example while I'm still getting used to the gas pedal (it's very sensitive compared to my old VW Golf), I may accidentally spike the RPM to above 4k just for a brief second while trying to change gears. Is this doing the same kind of damage that people have the "don't rev above 4k in the beginning" mentality say? Or are they referring to racing / speeding situations where you will have it above 4k for prolonged periods of time?
I bought my car used so I never had to experience this, but I'd just avoid going over 4k at all times. You can always set a rev limit indicator at like 3.5k. If you accidentally go over 4k don't worry about it. Newer cars shouldn't even need a break in period, it is just recommended.

3. Any general shifting tips for a newbie? 3rd to 4th, 4th to 5th, 5th to 6th -- no problem. It's neutral to 1st, 1st to 2nd where all of my issues lie. I am finding it insanely easy to rev SUPER high while barely touching the gas pedal in while shifting in this range. Am I doing something wrong? Are my steps below relatively accurate?
Neutral to 1st, assuming flat ground:

- Hold clutch
- Hold break
- Release break
- Release clutch to halfway point where clutch begins to engage ever so slightly
- THEN put foot on gas, ever so slightly, revving to maybe 1000-1500 RPM
- Very slowly let off the clutch until it is fully released and the car is going 10-15km/h

Hm, I only do this if I'm wearing running shoes. Try wearing shoes that have less cushion so you can get a feel for the pedals.

Your technique seems fine. It just takes some practice. It took me a good month or two to finally drive smoothly and catch up to all the v6 econocars. I adjusted my clutch so it's rather easy to seesaw the clutch and gas pedal.


4. Any general "what gear should I be in when" comments? Here's what I've determined so far from a few days:
I believe this comes with experience. I live in suburban LA or Santa Barbara and our streets are rather narrow.
Making a slow turn into my driveway or an otherwise very slow turn into somewhere? 2nd gear
I turn into my driveway in second gear. Break till stop, then downshift to first (My driveway is super steep and it is single entry). I turn into plaza or complex in second gear however. I only downshift to first <6mph or 10kph.
Driving at the standard 50-60km/h around a city? 4th gear and hover around 2000RPM
For me it is:
1st: 0kph - 15kph. but do not down shift to first unless youre under 10kph. If I'm at 11-15 kph I just clutch in and gas a bit in second. Might be wrong on this but I do not want to hurt the tranny or lug the engine.
2nd: 16kph-32kph.
3rd: 40kphish
4th: 65kphish
5th: 74 kphish
6th: >88kphish


Cruising around the parking lot at a mall trying to find parking? Haven't decided between 1st and 2nd gear being better, any comments?
I do second gear and try to keep above 14kph. If I cant, I slow down to under 10kph and go to first and start over. First gear is ass to drive around in imo.

5. Some people say that the clutches current spot is really bad for learning manual - I have to release the clutch wayyyyyyyy out before it engages. I know almost nothing about cars or car maintenance... should I do a DIY clutch engagement adjustment myself, or should I find someone more knowledgeable? How trivial is the adjustment, really?
Do not worry, I did this modification the weekend I got my car and it is pretty easy. I probably had as much or less experience than you right now. The instructions are very clear and it is pretty easy to check your work. I recommend!

6. Is the general idea that the higher your RPMs, the more gas you're consuming? I'm trying to drive this thing, as I've always driven all of my cars, as fuel-efficiently as I possibly can (when not racing it on a track). Where should I be hovering my RPMs around a city in order to maximize fuel economy? 1500 RPM @ 5th gear? 2000 RPM @ 4th gear? Somewhere else?
I normally try and stay around 2000-2500. Our cars are pretty good on gas. I got wide tires and sticky tires, commute to work with mostly stop signs and speed bumps every 1/8 a mile and I still manage 21 mpg (i shift at 4k). Normal SoCal driving where i shift at 4k i still got 28.6 with the stock setup. I try and not go under 2k cause our car are revvy engines and do not like to be under 2k.

7. When driving around a city, bouncing between 2nd and 6th, what RPM do you guy shift at? I've seen some people say 2500RPM shift, 3000RPM shift, 3500RPM shift -- any reasoning behind these, would any be better on the machine / fuel or is it mostly preference?
It is debatable whether or not driving faster to the cruise speed is more fuel efficient or not. Faster not crazy. I shift at 3.5k - 4k cause it feels right haha. I also love the noise. I get good mpg, 28.6 in SoCal under good amount of traffic. 21 at heavy stop and go. 32 on highway at 65-80 mph (I do not know how cruise control works).

Any advice / comments would be highly appreciated. Sorry if this is a total noob post, but we all start somewhere!

Alright, here is my input. Answers are in red. Hope it helps

[coloradobrz]

A few questions for the people who say don't downshift to first...

Engine starts to bog down as soon as you get under 10mph, so why would you let the engine lug around instead of downshifting?
If you're doing a spirited canyon run and you're coming to 15mph corners you're not going to have any power to exit the corner in second. First is the way to go here.

So my main question is, why is it so bad to downshift into 1st?

[GotMunchies?]

Originally Posted by coloradobrz

A few questions for the people who say don't downshift to first...

Engine starts to bog down as soon as you get under 10mph, so why would you let the engine lug around instead of downshifting?
If you're doing a spirited canyon run and you're coming to 15mph corners you're not going to have any power to exit the corner in second. First is the way to go here.

So my main question is, why is it so bad to downshift into 1st?

In all of my time carving cones in an autocross, running a real track, or even a spirited drive in the mountains, I have never once had the occasion or need to downshift to first. In every case, it has been faster and safer to downshift to second, accurately set the car up for the turn, and safely and mindfully feed in power. The ratio gap between first and second is the largest - your engine will make the largest jump in RPM going down from second to first. If you're at speed and not paying an immense amount of attention to your wheel speed, you run the greatest risk of mechanically over-revving the engine. That attention is better spent locating the car on the road or track than watching the speedo and tach and wrestling a reluctant gear lever into first.

[HachiEnam]

If I'm at 7 or 8 mph I clutch in and gas it up back to speed. I have no idea if this is correct but I'd rather slightly wear the clutch then damage my tranny or lug


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