New To Driving Manual

[Aviato]

Hey guys. So i'm new to driving a manual transmission as of 2 weeks ago. I picked up the basics pretty quickly, mostly because of my hour stop and go commute everyday to and from work.

However when I want to downshift to a lower gear it doesn't feel like it slides into place as easily unless I'm at the low end of that gears desired speed. I'm sure this is for a reason but I want to know the reason why/ what I should be doing.

Rev matching sounds like something I should learn to do but I want to make sure on daily type driving that its okay if it seems that it requires a bit more pressure to shift into a lower gear even when the clutch is down all the way. For instance getting back into first feels like I need to be at a stop before I can move the shift knob.

[fika84]

Few things.

1. Since the car is brand new, it's going to take a while >15,000 miles before the transmission even starts to get smooth. Do some research on this site fore more info about that.
2. If you're at higher RPM than it's more difficult to get into gear because of the syncros having to do so much work to get the transmission up to speed to match the driving speed. Rev matching would solve this.
3. You possibly don't need to be downshifting.
4. You shouldn't be trying to go into first gear unless you are <10 mph. Second gear is plenty sufficient.

[Aviato]

Thanks for the tips!

I just thought it was weird that it felt like there was pressure holding me from shifting into a gear even when the clutch was fully depressed. I guess this is normal?

[JellyForSale]

One general rule my father taught me was that you will pretty much never use first gear except for starting to move. There is no point to donwshift into first as you are stopping, second is short enough for most situations in normal driving.

[HotLavaFRS]

If you're just going down a gear, let it drop to about 2k rpms, push the clutch in, tap the gas to the floor real quick to blip it, and I mean quick, just kick it basically and then change gears and let the clutch up. It should take about a second to do the whole thing. That's the simplest way to drop a gear.

[Tcoat]

And don't grab and hold the shift knob Vin Diesel style. Just push and pull it into each gear with slight pressure from a couple of fingers. It knows where it wants to go next and you are simply helping it out. When you try holding the knob and manhandling into to place your body can be fighting the gates.

[HotLavaFRS]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

And don't grab and hold the shift knob Vin Diesel style. Just push and pull it into each gear with slight pressure from a couple of fingers. It knows where it wants to go next and you are simply helping it out. When you try holding the knob and manhandling into to place your body can be fighting the gates.

This. The return spring will pull it out of second so just push the stick forward, the spring will pull it to center and pushing up will get it into third. Put your hand in front of it and pull it back for fourth. No real need to palm it like the movie guys do.

[HimBRZ]

I agree; this shifter likes a light hand to guide it where it wants to go.
You will soon become part of the car and shifting and clutch/brake/throttle will become second nature.
Also, you don't HAVE to downshift if you don't have time/room. One gear if you're rushed. 1st is low enough that you don't need it unless you're stopped.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by HotLavaFRS

This. The return spring will pull it out of second so just push the stick forward, the spring will pull it to center and pushing up will get it into third. Put your hand in front of it and pull it back for fourth. No real need to palm it like the movie guys do.

This is the number one thing I see new MT drivers do wrong and it is heavily influenced by Hollywood. They make it look like you have to grab your knob and hammer it around at insane speeds and forces to shift gears because just lightly pushing/pulling it is boring to watch.

[cycleboy]

In particular with the Mtec springs in it. I shift mine with one or two fingers pretty often.