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

[strat61caster]

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?

It's not bad, it's just difficult to do it properly to minimize wear on the clutch/transmission so it's inadvisable especially for drivers who are trying to figure stuff out like in this thread.

For the first scenario, imo the car is totally happy to lug around at parking lot speeds in 2nd gear at 5mph, If I stop I'll go to first but I see no point in putting in the effort to get to first just because I'm under 10mph (a few days in rush hour traffic quickly cured me of such notions).

For the second I agree, I would double clutch into first, I've had no problems doing it at 25mph and can see the advantage in certain scenarios. Public roads however are not one of them imo, downshifting to first on a public road hairpin is not going to win me a trophy and all my autocrossing has kept the car above 25mph so I haven't had problems with that yet, but I know I could if I have to.

To the OP, listen to Tcoat, there is no judge sitting on your shoulder to tell you something is not right and you will be shunned and the car taken away. Take it easy, feel it out, experiment and take free advice with caution, even paid advice is crap sometimes.

[ntron1]

Originally Posted by TheFakeStig

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.

This^^^^^ No need to go to first above 5 mph unless you are on a track.

[Poodles]

God damn there's a ton of terrible info in this thread... Anyway, I'll start with the original post and then try to dispel some of the garbage.


1) Don't force it. First wants to lock you out unless you rev match. If you're not ready to do that yet, don't worry about it and just never shift into first unless you're stopped.


2) Going over 4K because you have to once or twice isn't going to hurt anything. They just don't want to racing it right off the showroom floor.


3) Shifting in general is basically a see-saw motion. You're letting off the gas as you depress the clutch and you're giving it gas as you let off. It's not something happening in order, it's happening at the same time. It'll take time to learn and it's all muscle memory.


4) RPM in general you want to be from 1500 to 2000 RPM while cruising (obviously not possible at highway speeds, at least around here). If the road is uphill at all, you'll need to downshift as the load is too much. Don't expect to speed up and pass someone at 1500 RPM, I'm talking about simply keeping the same speed. Downshift if you want to speed up. Also, depends on the driveway, I use first gear all the time for the alley/driveways around here.


5) There's too much mechanical advantage, and this leads to a very large catch point that can cause it to slip and feel vague. Just try to get used to it for now. If you still hate it later, you can swap the clutch slave cylinder and fix it.


6) Yes, but it's also based on engine load. The display can show real time fuel usage in MPG if you want to see what's going on.


7) Depends entirely on traffic, incline of the road, how lazy I am, if I'm late for work, etc... I'll usually shift around 4K if I'm in a hurry (if I'm in a serious hurry, it's redline), 3K is normal for just running through traffic around here, and if it's a nice lazy Sunday drive on flat boring roads, 2K.

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

Btw, drive this car between 3k-5k even 6k most of time once u done with the break-in period. No point in driving it like everyday commuter, not only it defeats the purpose of the car, the car just feels numb. Enjoy it & the wide rev range it offers. You will have the most fun driving it that way. Remember this isn't a car about refinement, if that's what you asking & you drive it like regular car. you will sell it in a year or 2. (You might think 3k is starting to get loud, but remember that's not even half way there.)


Keep it above 3.5k @ all times & it's gonna feel like it wants to party all the time & you will have a big smile.
* ps: you can drive on highway in just 5th, no point going 6th unless you are on long drive/commuting.

1) Driving balls out all the time makes you look like a tool... While it's fun, it's also boring and could be seen as reckless.


2) No, if you're really trying to hustle, you'll be above 5K to get completely out of the torque dip. Also, using 5th on the highway is just plain stupid and wasteful. It's not a double overdrive transmission that will spit it's guts everywhere because you gunned it in 6th (looking at you T56). Running around at high RPM for no reason is wasteful and abusing the engine.

Originally Posted by ntron1

This^^^^^ No need to go to first above 5 mph unless you are on a track.

I use first daily... Just rev match like you're supposed to be doing.

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by Poodles

1) Driving balls out all the time makes you look like a tool... While it's fun, it's also boring and could be seen as reckless.


2) No, if you're really trying to hustle, you'll be above 5K to get completely out of the torque dip. Also, using 5th on the highway is just plain stupid and wasteful. It's not a double overdrive transmission that will spit it's guts everywhere because you gunned it in 6th (looking at you T56). Running around at high RPM for no reason is wasteful and abusing the engine.

I use first daily... Just rev match like you're supposed to be doing.

No no with stock/quiet exhaust it's not loud at all outside (maybe in the cabin?) & It's not reckless if you "always" know to keep good distance. No one tells u to snake around in traffic. Keep distance & rev match down shift.

Everything after 3.7k is a constant climb, so u don't feel the dip in that sense.

No one tell u to stay in 5th all the time, but why not when traffic is slow. Anything 4.5k or below rpm isn't wasteful nor gonna hurt ur engine even if u do it whole day, once speed on high way pick up (70-75+) ofcourse u put it back in 6th cuz fuel economy wise it's gonna be bad if you dont...


PS: If you think it's noisy @ like 3.5k-4k. plug the sound tube up. stock sound tube makes a high frequency resonance sound @ those rpms. It's will be much much better once you plugged it up.


Just want OP to "Enjoy the car to the fullest." Haha direct quote from ALLTEZZA 2 post below.
An 86 driven like normal car is just a bit sad, basically what ever your economy car revs @ certain speed +2k = Hell fun in this car. (same speed just 2k more rev..LOL)

[Metabrz]

Congtrats on the new purchase.

I wont repeat all the great advice suffice to say just drive it - everywhere - all the time.

Its a finicky gear box for sure.

[Alltezza]

I would give some advice here but looks like everybody here has taken care of you already.

I just came here to commend you and THANK you for getting the manual and not the automatic. I have mad respect for you the fact that you love this car so much that you're willing to learn to drive a manual just to enjoy the car to the fullest. Congrats on the purchase too. I also wanted a black BRZ but they were sold out so the next best color was blue

[ntron1]

Originally Posted by Poodles

God damn there's a ton of terrible info in this thread... Anyway, I'll start with the original post and then try to dispel some of the garbage.


1) Don't force it. First wants to lock you out unless you rev match. If you're not ready to do that yet, don't worry about it and just never shift into first unless you're stopped.


I use first daily... Just rev match like you're supposed to be doing.

Huh?

[Apoc]

This thread reminds why I don't let other people drive my car