New Manual transmission drivers Q&A

[Sleeperz]

1- It is like riding the clutch. You just wear it out faster.

2 - As long as the gears do not grind you should be fine. You maybe shifting too slow if the RPMs are dropping too much. Do not fully lift off on the gas, give it a little gas to try to rev match as best as possible. The tranny synchros take care of any rpm difference but if the RPMs drop too low you get the lurching or too high chirping when the clutch is up/engaged.

I find clutch in, gas up and then shift to neutral, one right after the other quickly, that it almost simultaneous, then into the next gear .


If your really good at rev matching you don't even need to use the clutch.

Originally Posted by ShoGun

2 quick questions:

1- When on a small incline at a stop light or stopsign is it damaging to the clutch to find the engaging point and toggle (or seesaw) between clutch and gas to maintain your position?

2- Is it damaging to the car or clutch to not fully press in the clutch when changing gears? I noticed I can engage the clutch fully (all the way pressed in) and shift but when I do i get a bit of lurching when i disengage since the RPMS drop down when in the neutral transition phase.

[garsh0p]

I'm still having lots of trouble getting a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd Probably my biggest issue right now... Any more tips?

[Propaganda]

Originally Posted by garsh0p

I'm still having lots of trouble getting a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd Probably my biggest issue right now... Any more tips?

one thing you could try as you're approaching your shift point is to ease off the throttle just enough to hold your speed, and then shift into 2nd.

Arbitrary numbers, so this might not be applicable:
Say you normally shift at 3,500 rpms, and at that point, you'll be going 15mph. As you get close to 15mph, start backing off the throttle. Try playing around with that. It will seem less "rough" of a shift because you will already be accelerating at a slower rate, so that the time it takes you to shift (no acceleration) isn't as big of a momentum change.

[pinoyplaya]

I used to put the parking brakes on my old car when trying to start on an uphill road.

Havent had any trouble with the BRZ... probably cuz I rev the crap out of it

Must learn to get used to this asap.

[streetwaves]

I've driven stick since I was 16 with a 91 BMW 525i, then a 944 Turbo, an e30 318iS, and now a Mk6 Golf. When I test drove a manual FR-S the other day, it was as easily just as effortless to shift as anything I've owned or driven.

If you're coming from another manual car with a much different clutch/shifting feel that can throw you off though. Or, of course, if this is your first manual car. I'm actually surprised by the number of people here for whom that is the case, but I'm sure you guys will get the hang of it. It becomes second nature after a while, but do make sure you teach yourself the good habits before letting yourself get comfortable doing things the wrong way.

[JTM]

Originally Posted by ShoGun

1- When on a small incline at a stop light or stopsign is it damaging to the clutch to find the engaging point and toggle (or seesaw) between clutch and gas to maintain your position?.

Meh, you are just wearing it out faster so you will have to have the clutch replaced at 100k miles instead of 150k. It would be better, less wear, to hold in the clutch and use either the hand brake or the foot brake to hold your position.

Originally Posted by ShoGun

2- Is it damaging to the car or clutch to not fully press in the clutch when changing gears? I noticed I can engage the clutch fully (all the way pressed in) and shift but when I do i get a bit of lurching when i disengage since the RPMS drop down when in the neutral transition phase.

You should completely engage your clutch. This is not because you could damage your clutch, but because you could damage a gear or a syncro. With lots of practice you can change gears without the clutch, I do not recommend it, but it can be done and it can be done withoug damaging anything.

Originally Posted by garsh0p

I'm still having lots of trouble getting a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd Probably my biggest issue right now... Any more tips?

Practice, practice, practice; what RPM are you shift out of first?

Disclaimer: I am not an expert, I've just been using a clutch on a motorcycle, tractor, or automobile since 1994 and I have swapped/replace quite a few clutches.

[MidnightMonkey]

i've driven a handful of manuals with no guidance, albeit none of them for very long intervals. I'm just curious about a few things:

1) When coasting in any gear to maintain speed and shifting is not necessary due to RPMs, is it detrimental to take your foot off of the gas fully without engaging the clutch? I've noticed that when I do this (on other cars) when i need to get back on the gas - regardless of how smooth - it's jerky.

2) When decelerating, is it wearing on the clutch to downshift to decelerate? Is it more feasible to just put the transmission in neutral and brake to a stop?

[pinoyplaya]

Starting to get used to the clutch now. But GG... I started at 3rd gear today.... It wouldn't let me shift to first and there was a car behind me . Shoulda went to 2nd instead.

Also, is it okay to go to NEUTRAL when coming to a stop? I shift to neutral and just coast to stop. Though it feels like the car is loosing power as if its about to die down... maybe its cuz of the AC.

[JTM]

Originally Posted by MidnightMonkey

i've driven a handful of manuals with no guidance, albeit none of them for very long intervals. I'm just curious about a few things:

1) When coasting in any gear to maintain speed and shifting is not necessary due to RPMs, is it detrimental to take your foot off of the gas fully without engaging the clutch? I've noticed that when I do this (on other cars) when i need to get back on the gas - regardless of how smooth - it's jerky.

It is fine to leave it in gear and let the weight of the drivetrain slow you down; that bump you are feeling is the gears in the transmission and differential going from the coast side to the drive side, mostly it is coming from your differential. The next time you get a chance to get under the car, set your emergency/parking brake as hard as you can, chock the tires, leave the transmission in neutral, and when you get under the car grab the drive shaft and turn it back and forth. That little bit of movement is what you are feeling.

Originally Posted by MidnightMonkey

2) When decelerating, is it wearing on the clutch to downshift to decelerate? Is it more feasible to just put the transmission in neutral and brake to a stop?

Yes, it is wear on the clutch to downshift to decelerate.
-Oppinion: When I was a teen, and driving older cars, I was taught to always treat a car like something might fail. One of those lessons was keeping the transmission in the appropiate gear to take evasive actions. Both methods are acceptable and the extra wear on the clutch from downshift isn't enough in my oppinion to worry about.

Originally Posted by pinoyplaya

Starting to get used to the clutch now. But GG... I started at 3rd gear today.... It wouldn't let me shift to first and there was a car behind me . Shoulda went to 2nd instead.

Starting in 3rd is fine, just don't make a habit of it; also is show that you have developed clutch control. As far as not going into first, this could be a syncro issue if you were at a dead stop; the next time you encounter this: keep your foot on the brake, hold the shift in neutral and let the clutch all the way out, then press it back in and try again to shift it into first. Do not force your shifter into a gear if it doesn't want to go. Look up double clutching, it is a skill that should be learned and understood <it has nothing to do with racing and everything to do with understanding how and transmission works>.

Originally Posted by pinoyplaya

Also, is it okay to go to NEUTRAL when coming to a stop? I shift to neutral and just coast to stop. Though it feels like the car is loosing power as if its about to die down... maybe its cuz of the AC.

Shifting into neutral to come to a stop is ok, but remember you are letting your engine go back to idle and it still have the load from the AC compressor and a small load from your brake booster. If it concerning your or seems to drop the idle too much, take someone local for a ride and ask their oppinion.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert, I've just been using a clutch on a motorcycle, tractor, or automobile since 1994 and I have swapped/replace quite a few clutches, set up a differential or two. These statements are based on my oppinion and your results may vary.

[ArKiTeCkT]

When I reverse I let go of the clutch halfway and press the gas below 1500 rpm. From what Im reading this is damaging the clutch.

1. Is there a better way to reverse without damaging the clutch?

When I try the no-gas method, already engaged in 1st gear. I slowly let go of the clutch and the car shakes a bit.

2. Is this normal or am I doing it wrong?

[JTM]

Originally Posted by ArKiTeCkT

When I reverse I let go of the clutch halfway and press the gas below 1500 rpm. From what Im reading this is damaging the clutch.

1. Is there a better way to reverse without damaging the clutch?

You are not damaging the clutch, you are wearing the clutch disc out faster. You can use less throttle and slip the clutch less.

Originally Posted by ArKiTeCkT

When I try the no-gas method, already engaged in 1st gear. I slowly let go of the clutch and the car shakes a bit.

2. Is this normal or am I doing it wrong?

You would have to be more specific about the shaking, as there are several potiental causes.

[slrml617]

Originally Posted by ArKiTeCkT

When I reverse I let go of the clutch halfway and press the gas below 1500 rpm. From what Im reading this is damaging the clutch.

1. Is there a better way to reverse without damaging the clutch?

When I try the no-gas method, already engaged in 1st gear. I slowly let go of the clutch and the car shakes a bit.

2. Is this normal or am I doing it wrong?

for 2. if the car shakes a bit it means you either still released the clutch too fast or too slow

practice more

without applying the gas pedal you should be able to release the clutch and make the car start moving slowly and smoothly without any shakes

[ArKiTeCkT]

1. Let me reword my first question. How would you reverse on a slight incline? Is there no option but to slip the clutch?

2. ^ I think Im releasing it too fast... Off to an empty area again......

[slrml617]

Originally Posted by ArKiTeCkT

1. Let me reword my first question. How would you reverse on a slight incline? Is there no option but to slip the clutch?

2. ^ I think Im releasing it too fast... Off to an empty area again......

what i do is, and i'm not at all sure this is correct,

brakes and clutch pressed->blip the gas and release clutch same time->press clutch to let the car roll->brake as needed-> if not enough speed, repeat step two.

this works with both flat or slight incline.

again it all takes practice but eventually there should be almost no slip on the clutch