Simulator to learn MT

[GenkiElite]

Originally Posted by old greg

Do training wheels count?

Ohhhh, you cheeky bastard

[-DK-]

Does anyone have any good online references to learn the theory? I'm taking manual driving lessons with a professional, however I'd like to read ahead and be prepared for my lessons. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before my FRS arrives in a few weeks.

Most of the online references I searched aren't very detailed. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[(K)]

Originally Posted by -DK-

Does anyone have any good online references to learn the theory? I'm taking manual driving lessons with a professional, however I'd like to read ahead and be prepared for my lessons. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before my FRS arrives in a few weeks.

Most of the online references I searched aren't very detailed. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

That's quite a commitment! I would almost venture to say it's overkill, but at least you'd be guaranteed proper driving technique and mechanics from a trained, professional instructor. A good resource would be youtube and a quick Google search for websites such as Instructables and the like. Though, as stated many times earlier, it's a feel thing. Getting out there and doing it is really the ONLY way to grasp the concept of driving a manual. I like to delve into research and be fully prepared before doing anything as well, but there's really not much to it. Plus you risk information overload and potentially make it seem harder than it actually is. It's bad enough that you'll be stalling, bucking, and lurching, in actual practice. You can do without psyching yourself out before even getting in the car.

I'm sure your instructor will get you through it no problem with little pointers here and there, just remember to be slow, smooth, and consistent. Speed will come naturally as you progress. You might even reach manual driving ZEN by the end of the week.

Besides, if anything, you could come back and ask the seasoned drivers on the forums. You might [will] get mixed answers, but you'll get answers.

[dookie11]

Originally Posted by Laika

I've got a very nice G27 setup with reverse mounted pedals, aftermarket clutch/brake springs, and full size steering wheel. It's nothing like actually driving manual. Like previously stated, most of driving a manual is about feel and you don't get any of that with GT5 or Forza.

It's a fun way to get the basic concept down though. I like to direct my friends the wrong way up the corkscrew on laguna seca to show them how the clutch actually does function similarly to a real clutch.

Agreed. My G27 setup for GT5 is nothing liek what it felt driving a regular standard. There's no kick, resistance, nor realism to the video game's shifter and clutch. Better find a real car if you wanna learn how to drive stick.

[fastdrivingjr]

I simply posted this to let others know its an option.. Personally this isn't how I learned but I'm glad this thread grew into a big convo.

[eifer]

Originally Posted by fastdrivingjr

I simply posted this to let others know its an option.. Personally this isn't how I learned but I'm glad this thread grew into a big convo.

anything transmission related will always blow up lol.

[Natheria]

Originally Posted by dookie11

Agreed. My G27 setup for GT5 is nothing liek what it felt driving a regular standard. There's no kick, resistance, nor realism to the video game's shifter and clutch. Better find a real car if you wanna learn how to drive stick.

I have the same thoughts when it comes to driving a sim period. As good as they've gotten over the years you still can't replace the feeling and nuances of a real car, particularly one you've driven for a while to the point you've melded with the machine. As much fun as it is tearing around a ring in some of the best cars ever made in Forza i still find myself having more fun in my 100 horse Civic.

[DantKR]

Steps to learning to drive manual.

Start Car
Put car in first
Get car to move with no gas input at all
Stop
Do it again
Stop
Do it again
Now get the car to move with a little gas
Shift

Done.

Taught my sister how to drive stick in about 20min. She didn't understand the concept of shifting even when I tried to explain it to her, which is a shame because she picked up starting in first in about 2-3 tries.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by (K)

^Agreed, sims don't give you pedal feel and the proper dynamics of driving stick. That point where the clutch starts to grab, the point where the car starts to bog or stutter, the smooth transition between shifts. These all need to be felt, I would also argue that feeling is probably 99% of driving a manual.

Buy a beater, drive it, learn from it.

Hmmm so I've driven stick cars 2 times (only for very short distances) and I felt like the "feel" part was quite car specific, but getting used to pressing in the clutch all the time was really hard to get used to...so a simulator would be useful for that. I found it helpful just getting the left foot used to pressing the clutch in for starting (when I crash, which happens a lot) in a simulator even though they had like-zero flywheel mass so you had to rev to 5000 to get it started.

[LSxJunkie]

Anyone who thinks that a simulator can teach you anything about driving stick other than the actual sequence of physical manipulations required has never driven stick.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by LSxJunkie

Anyone who thinks that a simulator can teach you anything about driving stick other than the actual sequence of physical manipulations required has never driven stick.

I'm surethere are but any simulator that could odd going to cost you more than a car ABCs provide less experience

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by DantKR

Steps to learning to drive manual.

just wanted to slightly correct your system for more clarity


Start Car
clutch in
Put car in first
release clutch slowly until car starts to move (slowly) without use of gas
clutch in
Do it again
clutch in
Do it again

this will teach you where the "clutch point" of this particular car is at, each car, even same make, will have it at different points.

once your clutch foot gets to that point on its own (muscle memory), you start to apply gradual throttle as you release the clutch completely

then off you go, 2nd is the same but much quicker and less finesse is required.

clutch, gear, gas+drop clutch

[DantKR]

That's a better :P

[(K)]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Hmmm so I've driven stick cars 2 times (only for very short distances) and I felt like the "feel" part was quite car specific, but getting used to pressing in the clutch all the time was really hard to get used to...so a simulator would be useful for that. I found it helpful just getting the left foot used to pressing the clutch in for starting (when I crash, which happens a lot) in a simulator even though they had like-zero flywheel mass so you had to rev to 5000 to get it started.

Yes, clutch uptake IS car specific. I'm not really sure what that bolded section of your post is leading to, would you mind clarifying?