MT etiquette... don't hate me!

[bcj]

Originally Posted by NOMNOM

I'll keep honing in and practicing, but I feel better about using a little more clutch in the meantime.

The clutch is a wear item. It's there because that's what it does.
Burnouts from a stop is contraindicated though...

When it wears down you can do a blockectomy and have a chance to change the plugs

Originally Posted by Sonolin

1) When starting from a stop, I usually give the car a little gas just before the clutch engages. I'm talking like 1.5k-2k rpm gas. Is this bad for the clutch?

No. That's what it's there for. The engine has a minimum rpm to stay running. If you lock it directly to a stopped drive train the engine will stall.
You will always need a bit of slippage. It's designed for that purpose.

Originally Posted by Sonolin

2) ... (the car tends to "shake" a lot that low) so I tend to put it in first sometimes when going that slow. Which is better?

That's lugging and/or too low rpm for the engine to function correctly. You'll need to wear out your clutch a little
1st gear is fine for parking lot crawling. Suit the gear to the conditions. 1st isn't of the untouchable caste.

Originally Posted by Sonolin

Why is it better to go to 1st when stopping, rather than straight into neutral?
From what I've heard the main advantage is to always be in gear. But is this better on the transmission?

There are rational reasons for both methods and irrational pet peeves. There isn't a cannonical correct opinion. :happy0180:

(dirty little secret: sometimes I drive under the posted speed limit. I'm so ashamed - I pull over if someone wants by)

[Enraged21]

Originally Posted by bcj

(dirty little secret: sometimes I drive under the posted speed limit. I'm so ashamed)

lmao. I do too

[Tucson FR-S]

Originally Posted by Want.FR-S

That is three questions in 1). My take: yes, no, no. Ideally, when you start, you do not need to press gas when you just release the clutch. Here is a trick I used to practice and still use in stop-n-go traffic or parking lot cruising: when car is stopped, shift into first, release the clutch slowly until it starts to bite (engagement point) and release it gently to get the car moving in idling speed *without gas*. If done correctly, the car will move slowly just like that in automatic transmission. So for your first part of the question, you do not need to rev to 1.5/2k before you release the clutch. That wears the clutch a bit.

I'd driven a stick for many years when I heard the Car Talk guys advise this as the way to learn how to drive a m/t. I tried it and found I got much better at shifting because I became more aware of the engagement point.

[Chocko]

Originally Posted by Sonolin

Why is it better to go to 1st when stopping, rather than straight into neutral?

From what I've heard the main advantage is to always be in gear. But is this better on the transmission?

A common reason why people will say this is if the conditions on the road change you still have control of the car to quickly get out of the way.

I always have a bit of a problem with shifting to 2nd in this car, the revs have always dropped too low when I get into gear.

[NOMNOM]

Originally Posted by bcj

(dirty little secret: sometimes I drive under the posted speed limit. I'm so ashamed)

I've done that in these first few weeks SO MUCH haha. I think it's a product of being way closer to the pavement, feel like I'm going faster than I am... Between being so much higher, bigger, and on softer suspension, I was always going 5-10 over in my Maxima without realizing it. Now I'm like OMG I'M GOING SO FA-oh just 40mph

[fistpoint]

I've been driving manual for 21+ years, in fact I have never owned an automatic. I can shift all my previous Hondas perfectly, but the FR-S is a little bumpy as you say.

Don't get me wrong, the transmission and shifter are both very smooth and fluid, but my shifts are still jerky when the gear actually engages unless I ride the clutch a little longer, again as you said which I choose to not do.

So, I'd say it isn't you. I'll take a bumpy shift over a new clutch any day.

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by Tucson FR-S

I'd driven a stick for many years when I heard the Car Talk guys advise this as the way to learn how to drive a m/t. I tried it and found I got much better at shifting because I became more aware of the engagement point.

I remember how I learned this trick in the first place: on a stop-n-go traffic up at the inside lane of a 3 lanes bridge with no way out. Everyone behind you is watching you move so you better be moving as soon as possible. Actually, after I passed the bridge, I got a pretty good idea of where the engagement point is and my shift and start is getting way better.

But, just to be safe, practice it at an empty parking lot until you can just move the car back and forth without ever using the gas.

Originally Posted by NOMNOM

I've done that in these first few weeks SO MUCH haha. I think it's a product of being way closer to the pavement, feel like I'm going faster than I am... Between being so much higher, bigger, and on softer suspension, I was always going 5-10 over in my Maxima without realizing it. Now I'm like OMG I'M GOING SO FA-oh just 40mph

You should try go-karting sometimes. By riding that low everything is pretty fast.

[radroach]

I don't think the word you were looking for was shifting etiquette, I think you mean shifting regime, which regime means "A system or planned way of doing things, esp. one imposed from above."

[Bach415]

Originally Posted by Sonolin

Why is it better to go to 1st when stopping, rather than straight into neutral?

From what I've heard the main advantage is to always be in gear. But is this better on the transmission?

Its more of a safety thing just to get out of rough spots. Something I've learned from riding a motorcycle is to keep it in gear. For me I live in Sf which is really hilly and when coming to a stop I usually downshift to practice in case going up a steep hill to prevent the slightest chance of rolling backwards.

Originally Posted by Enraged21

Wouldnt you be just using your clutch more and putting more wear and tear by downshifting at every light, even into first?

I always thought it would be easier on the clutch to just put into neutral then coast into stop.

I'm talking about a full stop/stop signs. At the lights its better to downshift incase traffic starts moving when you are coming to a complete stop. Sorry if I confused you. It is easier on clutch and tranny to throw in neutral then coast to stop but its more of a safety thing to stay in gear. This thread is more of a opinion cause everyone drives differently based on where they live as well as how long they been driving. Only thing the same I would say in my opinion is working with the clutch to get a smooth transition from gear to gear or a start.