spike021's BRZ Adventures

[spike021]

Originally Posted by Ry.ruzn

Grats on the purchase. As everyone has said, don't worry about the curb rash. After a few times driving you'll completely forget about it, only stings for 1-3 days.

Thanks Ry!

I definitely don't feel the sting anymore. I don't *like* that it happened, but I've somewhat accepted it now.

[spike021]

Learning Manual Transmission Update:

It's been about a week since picking up the BRZ!

Every day except for Wednesday I took it out into a relatively quiet residential neighborhood to practice stops and starts (into first) to learn the engagement point for maybe 30-45 mins a session. Sometimes I did shorter 15-20 minute sessions off and on (as in, parking the car on a good note, taking a 5-10 min break, and then going back out).

I feel like the repetition every day helped me learn the car and turn the easier (yet harder stuff) like starts into more routine movements.

One thing I began to notice late in the week was that if I tried to look too much at the tach to see my RPMs at a start, then I was more likely to have a slow, stuttery start. Not terrible, but who else prefers a smooth start? So as a result of noticing that, I began looking a bit less (now that I know the sounds of the engine at certain RPMs better) at the tach and focusing more on the pedals and what's in front of me on the road. I now start much smoother a majority of the time (occasionally still a bit stuttery/shuddery but not too bad).

One of the most important things I know as of today is I just need to get used more to the movements, like with the stick itself. One time I started to start in third rather than first.. I don't think that's a terrible thing but it's obviously not as good. It was a quick stop and I hadn't downshifted enough, even though I did go to a complete stop. Then I forgot to throw it into neutral, and since the stick felt "up" I automatically assumed it was in first.

Obviously not "good" but now I know that better, so it shouldn't happen again.

Also, I was with my father today for the drive we did (he's never driven stick before) and he said I did a lot better. When we got back he told my mom I also did a great job, and it's easy to get him frustrated since he's a crazy NY driver who hates sitting shotgun. But he did a good job himself, which was a reflection of how I was driving. My mom had been with me driving it back from the dealer, and once she heard she realized that shitty drive with 10-15 stalls was just a one time thing.

Needless to say, I've improved a lot over the week. Learning stick isn't impossible. It does take time, and you will make mistakes, but as long as you learn from them you should do just fine.

Note: I will take constructive criticism, so if any of you saw something really bad in that long essay of mine please tell me. I don't think any of that was seriously awful, but I could be wrong.

[EdBoy]

Originally Posted by spike021

Learning Manual Transmission Update:

It's been about a week since picking up the BRZ!

Every day except for Wednesday I took it out into a relatively quiet residential neighborhood to practice stops and starts (into first) to learn the engagement point for maybe 30-45 mins a session. Sometimes I did shorter 15-20 minute sessions off and on (as in, parking the car on a good note, taking a 5-10 min break, and then going back out).

I feel like the repetition every day helped me learn the car and turn the easier (yet harder stuff) like starts into more routine movements.

One thing I began to notice late in the week was that if I tried to look too much at the tach to see my RPMs at a start, then I was more likely to have a slow, stuttery start. Not terrible, but who else prefers a smooth start? So as a result of noticing that, I began looking a bit less (now that I know the sounds of the engine at certain RPMs better) at the tach and focusing more on the pedals and what's in front of me on the road. I now start much smoother a majority of the time (occasionally still a bit stuttery/shuddery but not too bad).

One of the most important things I know as of today is I just need to get used more to the movements, like with the stick itself. One time I started to start in third rather than first.. I don't think that's a terrible thing but it's obviously not as good. It was a quick stop and I hadn't downshifted enough, even though I did go to a complete stop. Then I forgot to throw it into neutral, and since the stick felt "up" I automatically assumed it was in first.

Obviously not "good" but now I know that better, so it shouldn't happen again.

Also, I was with my father today for the drive we did (he's never driven stick before) and he said I did a lot better. When we got back he told my mom I also did a great job, and it's easy to get him frustrated since he's a crazy NY driver who hates sitting shotgun. But he did a good job himself, which was a reflection of how I was driving. My mom had been with me driving it back from the dealer, and once she heard she realized that shitty drive with 10-15 stalls was just a one time thing.

Needless to say, I've improved a lot over the week. Learning stick isn't impossible. It does take time, and you will make mistakes, but as long as you learn from them you should do just fine.

Note: I will take constructive criticism, so if any of you saw something really bad in that long essay of mine please tell me. I don't think any of that was seriously awful, but I could be wrong.

nice job, had the same experience a few months ago when I had to learn manual again after a few years. As for watching tach, you got the idea of not learning to rely on it alot so you'll be getting the hang of it in no time. Next thing I would tell you is to try uphill/downhill starts which should be easy to find since your in the bay area. Practice sometime with the handbrake and take off on hills (really helps when learning) then you'll get used to clutch bite points and you won't really need the handbrake anymore.
cheers and good luck

[spike021]

Originally Posted by EdBoy

nice job, had the same experience a few months ago when I had to learn manual again after a few years. As for watching tach, you got the idea of not learning to rely on it alot so you'll be getting the hang of it in no time. Next thing I would tell you is to try uphill/downhill starts which should be easy to find since your in the bay area. Practice sometime with the handbrake and take off on hills (really helps when learning) then you'll get used to clutch bite points and you won't really need the handbrake anymore.
cheers and good luck

Thanks Ed!

Yeah, tach got way too distracting. I still look at it for when to shift while driving normally, but slowly getting used to not needing to look at the tach even during that. I really just need to learn the sound of various RPMs at different speeds.

Over the weekend I tried some hills. I didn't do starts, but I did do some ups and downs as well as needing to stop at stop signs. Sometimes cresting at the top of a hill on a flat spot and sometimes still having the back of the car hanging out. Wasn't too bad but I'll need more practice.

One issue I've kinda had using the handbrake is getting used to the idea of letting it go once the car starts moving at the bite point with enough gas.

It's hard learning to kinda multitask, plus keeping the button down on the handbrake button so it doesn't lock in.

[mjanmohammad]

Originally Posted by spike021

Learning Manual Transmission Update:

It's been about a week since picking up the BRZ!

Every day except for Wednesday I took it out into a relatively quiet residential neighborhood to practice stops and starts (into first) to learn the engagement point for maybe 30-45 mins a session. Sometimes I did shorter 15-20 minute sessions off and on (as in, parking the car on a good note, taking a 5-10 min break, and then going back out).

I feel like the repetition every day helped me learn the car and turn the easier (yet harder stuff) like starts into more routine movements.

One thing I began to notice late in the week was that if I tried to look too much at the tach to see my RPMs at a start, then I was more likely to have a slow, stuttery start. Not terrible, but who else prefers a smooth start? So as a result of noticing that, I began looking a bit less (now that I know the sounds of the engine at certain RPMs better) at the tach and focusing more on the pedals and what's in front of me on the road. I now start much smoother a majority of the time (occasionally still a bit stuttery/shuddery but not too bad).

One of the most important things I know as of today is I just need to get used more to the movements, like with the stick itself. One time I started to start in third rather than first.. I don't think that's a terrible thing but it's obviously not as good. It was a quick stop and I hadn't downshifted enough, even though I did go to a complete stop. Then I forgot to throw it into neutral, and since the stick felt "up" I automatically assumed it was in first.

Obviously not "good" but now I know that better, so it shouldn't happen again.

Also, I was with my father today for the drive we did (he's never driven stick before) and he said I did a lot better. When we got back he told my mom I also did a great job, and it's easy to get him frustrated since he's a crazy NY driver who hates sitting shotgun. But he did a good job himself, which was a reflection of how I was driving. My mom had been with me driving it back from the dealer, and once she heard she realized that shitty drive with 10-15 stalls was just a one time thing.

Needless to say, I've improved a lot over the week. Learning stick isn't impossible. It does take time, and you will make mistakes, but as long as you learn from them you should do just fine.

Note: I will take constructive criticism, so if any of you saw something really bad in that long essay of mine please tell me. I don't think any of that was seriously awful, but I could be wrong.

I love this effort of learning manual! I got lucky and my best friend had a 2003 Civic that he taught me on when we were 16. I ended up taking my drivers test in that car.

Not looking at the tach is one of the best ways to learn your car better. I can generally tell what RPM range my car is in based on the exhaust note or the vibrations from the stick. Its great that you're starting that habit now instead of later when you've already trained yourself to rely on the tach. Another tip specific for the 17s that has smoothed out my driving, I split the speeds up to specific gears. What I mean is, when you're driving relaxed in a neighborhood/city from 0-7mph, you're in first. 7-18mph is 2nd, 18-30 is 3rd, 30-40 is 4th, 40-50 is 5th, and 50-60 is 6th, obviously it also depends a lot on the conditions of the road but that list generally keeps the car in the range below 3500 with the most torque available to you. If you're speeding up to merge onto a highway ignore all of that and shift whenever you're comfortable, I usually shift at 5k when accelerating hard.

[Clipdat]

Shifting at those speeds would lug the engine. 7mph is way too low to shift into 2nd, likewise 18mph to third. Not good to keep the RPMs that low and force the car to try to accelerate. Much better for the engine to rev out the gears a bit versus short shifting at low speeds/rpms.

Also I'm not sure if you're doing this, but when you're coming up to a stop sign or red light and downshifting, you don't want to actually downshift into first at all. Even with the clutch completely pressed in, you don't want to force the gear stick into first gear. Wait until you are at a complete stop before shifting it into first gear.

And yeah you don't need the bottom two holes on your back plate. The back of the license plate frame should have two little lips that hold the plate inside the frame.

Originally Posted by mjanmohammad

What I mean is, when you're driving relaxed in a neighborhood/city from 0-7mph, you're in first. 7-18mph is 2nd, 18-30 is 3rd, 30-40 is 4th, 40-50 is 5th, and 50-60 is 6th

[mjanmohammad]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Shifting at those speeds would lug the engine. 7mph is way too low to shift into 2nd, likewise 18mph to third. Not good to keep the RPMs that low and force the car to try to accelerate. Much better for the engine to rev out the gears a bit versus short shifting at low speeds/rpms.

Also I'm not sure if you're doing this, but when you're coming up to a stop sign or red light and downshifting, you don't want to actually downshift into first at all. Even with the clutch completely pressed in, you don't want to force the gear stick into first gear. Wait until you are at a complete stop before shifting it into first gear.

And yeah you don't need the bottom two holes on your back plate. The back of the license plate frame should have two little lips that hold the plate inside the frame.

Really? I haven't noticed any lugging since I got the car. I'll change it up tomorrow if it's really that bad

[Clipdat]

I forgot that the 17s have a different final drive/gearing. So maybe its doable on the 17s if you are just barely giving it any gas and accelerating super slow. Just don't try to accelerate too hard.

I like to think the engine's sound is the best indicator of where the shift points should happen in day to day city driving. After a while you can tell where it just feels "right" and effortless for the engine.

Originally Posted by mjanmohammad

Really? I haven't noticed any lugging since I got the car. I'll change it up tomorrow if it's really that bad

[spike021]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Also I'm not sure if you're doing this, but when you're coming up to a stop sign or red light and downshifting, you don't want to actually downshift into first at all. Even with the clutch completely pressed in, you don't want to force the gear stick into first gear. Wait until you are at a complete stop before shifting it into first gear.

And yeah you don't need the bottom two holes on your back plate. The back of the license plate frame should have two little lips that hold the plate inside the frame.

Yeah usually when I slow to a stop, the lowest gear I go into is second till I make the complete stop, then depending on how short a stop it is I either switch to neutral or go right into 1st and go.

Oh cool, that makes sense.

[JeremyR]

Yo! Nice car man! I think I've actually seen you cruising around my neighborhood (Unless someone else in San Jose has a 17 CWP PP, which I doubt.)

Mountain and back roads are my favorite so i'm always down for a nice drive (Once you get more comfortable with driving stick, of course)

I just picked up a 2015 a couple months ago, so i'll be going to the South Bay meets pretty soon to meet the other local guys


It's been a long time since I learned Manual, but try not to focus on the multi-tasking aspect yet, practice smooth shifting and learning where your clutch's engagement point is will go along way. Try getting into 1st by rolling off the clutch slowly without using any gas, that'll help you with learning the sweet spot on the clutch, and help with smoother gear changes later on.

[spicyricecake]

Congrats on graduating! What field are you in?

I went ahead and followed ya.
forget about the curb repair, like most people on here, you'll probably end up getting after market wheels :P

[spike021]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

Yo! Nice car man! I think I've actually seen you cruising around my neighborhood (Unless someone else in San Jose has a 17 CWP PP, which I doubt.)

Mountain and back roads are my favorite so i'm always down for a nice drive (Once you get more comfortable with driving stick, of course)

I just picked up a 2015 a couple months ago, so i'll be going to the South Bay meets pretty soon to meet the other local guys

It's been a long time since I learned Manual, but try not to focus on the multi-tasking aspect yet, practice smooth shifting and learning where your clutch's engagement point is will go along way. Try getting into 1st by rolling off the clutch slowly without using any gas, that'll help you with learning the sweet spot on the clutch, and help with smoother gear changes later on.

Congrats on getting your twin! Do you find yourself looking back yet when you park it?

That actually wasn't me! I've been closer to SF since getting it two weeks ago because my parents' neighborhood is quieter. It was nice being in that kind of neighborhood the first few days while getting used to things. I'll be driving it down from there to San Jose this weekend, though!

Thanks for the advice! I'm totally down to go on a drive! I'm probably going to give it another month or two to be on the safer side (plus wait for roads to get drier). Want to make sure I can handle things to an intermediate-ish level.

Originally Posted by spicyricecake

Congrats on graduating! What field are you in?

I went ahead and followed ya.
forget about the curb repair, like most people on here, you'll probably end up getting after market wheels :P

Thanks Mr. Rice Cake ()! I'm a (insert one of software/devops/big data because I've been dabbling in all three) engineer!

Thanks, buddy! Trying to avoid the spammier kinds of followers, haha. A few accounts with tens of thousands of followers followed me and then unfollowed within a day or two. Guessing they follow for "followbacks" and then drop off..or they thought my first posts were just too boring!

Haha. I'm trying to wait on getting aftermarket wheels for a while since these are a bit more exclusive already. Kinda want to put money into other mods first, eventually. Just not sure which .

[spike021]

Manual driving update:

I'm either not stalling at all or about once a day now. Upshifts are getting much smoother about half the time and steadily improving! I'd say stalling-wise I still need work with going in reverse gear on hills while parking and maybe just going like in first up hills (like from stop signs, etc.).

I've made a lot more progress with knowing when to downshift as well. I can now downshift from like 4th or even 5th down to 3rd/2nd when coming to traffic lights either currently at red light or just turning green (slowing but not necessarily to a stop).

Next things on the to-do list are:

• continuing to smooth out upshifts
• getting better with hills
• learning to blip shift on the downshifts

Really loving this car and driving stick.

[EdBoy]

also forgot to add, if you have a bit of difficulty heel toeing, try adding the cusco pedal (really helps out a lot for rev matching on a downshift)