basics to driving a stick

[killahb87]

i kno im prolly gonna get flamed like crazy but i gotta ask. my car is in the paint shop (birthday present) and i havent got a chance to drive a stick yet so i dont kno how. my pop says it only takes a day or 2 to learn how. i jus wanted to kno what are the basic rules for driving one. thanx in advance lol

[A20A1]

Practice in a open free area...
Don't press too hard on the accelerator pedal and make it rev too high.
Don't release the clutch too fast
You basicly add pressure to one pedal while you release pressure on the other.
The whole timing is preference and the amount of pressure you need depends on the car... you'll get smoother as you get used to it.
If you mess up push in the clutch and press the brake.


Once you get comfortable try stopping on a hill or an incline driveway and keep your position as if there was a car behind you and in front of you.

I see some cars that like to rock back and forth up and down the hill while staying in gear. If you take it out of gear you have to press the clutch and brake at the same time... some people refer to it as "heel-toe"

I think thats right, please anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

I've never tried this but does shifting into 2nd instead of first help new drivers?
I'm thinking it would help keep them from peeling out but I dunno.

[89AccordCpe]

(1) Don't worry if you're not smooth at first, it'll eventually come naturally with experience. When you're easing out the clutch, don't be afraid to give more pressure on the gas pedal. You may bring the rpm's up and rev a little going into the shift, but it's better than not giving enough gas, then stalling out and lurching to a stop. As you get more practice and get used to the clutch pressure and the catch point, your shifting will eventually become much smoother.

(2) Don't worry about downshifting until you get used to upshifting. Again, once you get used to it, car speed/gear selection will become automatic and you'll be able to downshift smoothly without using the gas pedal.

(3) Don't force 1st or reverse. If you initially feel any resistance going into 1st gear, let the shifter back into neutral, let the clutch out then press it back in, then try 1st again. When shifting into reverse I always go into 1st gear first. Bring the car to a full stop (obviously), and with the clutch in, shift into 1st gear, then bring it into reverse. If you still feel any resistance going into reverse, do that again. Doing that helps line up the sychros.

(4) Like A20A1 said, practice a lot on open level parking lots or roads. You really should get comfortable with the clutch engagement point before you find yourself stuck at a stop sign or red light facing uphill and you've got to shift into 1st from a dead stop with another car right on you ass.

Oh, and I wouldn't really try starting out in 2nd. The only reason is because you do have to rev it a little bit to keep from stalling. It's a little different techinique than starting in 1st. Plus, in stock form, I don't think you have to worry too much about chirping the tires with these motors. They will get you to 200,000+ miles, but not all that fast. :lol:

[spanky]

ok, here's how i leaned how to drive stick.

(BASICS TO STICK)
1) how to start a standard car.
to start a manual car you first must press the clutch in and then turn the key.some cars (my 3g) you dont have to press the clutch in to start it (hold on dont even try unless it's in neutral.)

2) get use to the clutch.
with the car off press the clutch all the way in and let it all the way out.also press the break and clutch in and let both out (get use to this )

3) go through all the gears.
with the car off get use to pressing the clutch and put the car into first. then let the clutch out. then press the clutch in and put it into 2nd. do thiss through all 6 gears(1-5 and reverse) and finaly put it in neutral.

4) learning to use a clutch and press the car to get the car going.
first turn the car in (engage clutch and turn key)make sure your also pressing the break.now put the car into first (clutch should be all the way engaged).then take off the ebreak. now give the car a lil gas untill its about 1.2-1.5k rpms then slowly disengage the clutch and the car should start to move.after it starts to move around 5mph the clutch should be all the way disengaged and your foot should be off it and on the dead pedal (to the left of clutch). in first your good till about 15mph with out getting the rpms up to high.

5) to stop a manual car you must press (engage) the clutch and break if you just press the break the rpms will drop and your call will stall.

6) if that dont work do it the dominican way (dont take it the wrong way)
do everything up to step 3 but step 4 is diff. most dominican ppl ( all my dominican friend do this) . when there at a light when it turns green they'll rev the engine to about 2-2.2k rpms and then let the clutch go b/c they werent tought right . the reason they do it to 2-2.2k is because the rpms drop quick and they let the clutch out to slow. also if they let it out to fast you will notice the car jump b/c of the high rpm or the tires will squeel.

also dont go on hill till you get use to driving on flat ground. also when your learning to go up hill when your stoped on it untill you get the clutch work down put on the ebrake and while your starting to go give it gas and let of the clutch and slowly release the ebrake so you dont roll backwards into a car.


around what rpms you should shift.
well me when i just driving i usualy shift 3-4k rpm (thats normal driving)
when im racing it's around redling or 5.5-6k.



here's a link
http://www.jonko.com/articles/kyle_busch_03.htm


good luck

[spanky]

just incase you wanted to know, here is the basic rpm/mph for around when to shift. (normal driving conditions)

GEAR---------------RPM-----------------mph
1st 3000 0-15mph
2nd 3000 15-30mph
3rd 3000 30-45mph
4th 3000 45-60mph
5th 3000 60-123(well thats what i reached in my 88 lxi but it was screaming b/c the rpms were up there.)

you could go above the rpm and mph but thats what i shift at when im just driving. when you get use to your car you wont even have to look at the guages. i just listen to the exhaust.

also if you have a turbo car thats 5spd or 6spd the rpm usualy doesnt spool up till around 4-5k rpm. thats just for future reference.

[bobafett]

yeah alll pretty much covered it.

one technique that i used starting out is this:

if u are on a totally flat spot, try SLOWLY letting the clutch out very smooth like, and starting to roll in 1st gear without giving it gas.. (dont do this a lot, cause slipping the clutch for a long time is hard on it)

u have to do this slowly to keep from killing the car, but it gives a good feel for engine rpm vs how fast u can release the clutch. once u can do it this way, u can add gas, and then obviously keep engine rpm's higher which means u can let out the clutch faster, and once u do it smoothly without bogging the car or slipping the clutch, u know how to drive a stick!

[EvilPenciler]

rev match and double clucth so you save your synchro. Ill get a tutorial for that later...


heres some how stuff works links ...
http://www.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gear-ratio.htm

[Robs89LXi]

The best advice for being smooth on the clutch:
Keep your heel on the floor, and use it as a pivot point. Most people try to lift their whole leg when releasing the clutch, and you just don't have enough control to be smooth this way. Keep you heel on the floor, and just flex your foot slowly; you'll be smooth every time.

[nhgu1dry05]

thats weird cuz i shift my car @ bout 4k-4500 rpms but starting off i did shift @ bout 3k rpm. *ive done 132mph (downhill) in my stock carbed 3geez & done 125mph flatland :D*

[SteveDX89]

1. Rev to 5K
2. Side step clutch pedal.

[b8er]

sorry to say it EvilPenciel rev matchig and double clutchig is not how to learn to drive a stick

one thing i noticed is that my car has a very weird clutch compared to other cars and im not sure if its just my car or if its every 3g but do not be upset if you cant learn how to drive our ars that fast cause iv tried teaching 4-5 of my friends and not one of them could do it till they got into a different car.

although , it could just be me, lol anyways good luck

[spanky]

i think this is me personaly that our cars are the eazyer cars to drive that are stick. my first standard car (BMW 325) was a nightmare and i burnt the clutch once when i let the clutch out to slow. so i think it's an eazyer car to drive.

[killahb87]

thanx a lot everybody for the help. the only thing im having trouble with ietting the clutch off too fast and jumping fowrd, but other than that im good.


*edit*

my mom said an easy way to learn to shift is just shift every 10 mph. what do you guys think

so most of you are sayin shift every 15 mph. i know i'll be able to hear when i get used to it but for now what do yall think?

['89AccordLX(Rus)]

Just shift between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm and you should be good. Like you said, eventually it becomes so natural that you just shift without looking at the instruments at all. These cars seem to have a rather hard clutch pedal so it might take a little bit of time to develop the ability to control it smoothly. I remember having a sore left foot for a bit when I started driving mine. Practice and more practice is really the only way to learn so don't get discouraged. Good luck! :)

[killahb87]

thanx somebody mentioned that too. well ive got about 4 days to practice (school starts) but everybody tells me it only takes a couple days to become decent at driving a stick.

[EvilPenciler]

Shifting of the speedo is fine. And rev matching, heal toe, and double clutching I basic shifting techniques which makes them suitable to learn. And you can od them in any gear at virtually any speed. here's a okay how to ...
http://www.waycoolinc.com/z3/essentials/fixit/heeltoe/shifting.htm

[EvilPenciler]

thanx somebody mentioned that too. well ive got about 4 days to practice (school starts) but everybody tells me it only takes a couple days to become decent at driving a stick.


Evryone is diffrent I know people who have done it in one day. And it took me 2 months to get my last girlfriend to not damage my car while she was learing to drive even then she had problems.

[bobafett]

yeah i have found my accord is one of the more dificult cars to drive with a stick. there isnt a lot of pedal travel that effects its engagement, so as a result, i shift quicker and wear the clutch less! :) works out ok for everyone once i got used to driving the damn thing.

[spanky]

my mom said an easy way to learn to shift is just shift every 10 mph. what do you guys think

so most of you are sayin shift every 15 mph. i know i'll be able to hear when i get used to it but for now what do yall think?

i wouldnt just for the fact that u'd be in 5th gear at 50mph and you'd prob stall b/c of the low rpms.stick to 15mph and shift.

[ACCORD1.8CARB]

i learned in my ex's escort. and man was it hard that car jumped way 2 much, or maybe it was me anyway. id say find sumone wit a stick and ruin there clutch learning. works 4 me

[lostforawhile]

(1) Don't worry if you're not smooth at first, it'll eventually come naturally with experience. When you're easing out the clutch, don't be afraid to give more pressure on the gas pedal. You may bring the rpm's up and rev a little going into the shift, but it's better than not giving enough gas, then stalling out and lurching to a stop. As you get more practice and get used to the clutch pressure and the catch point, your shifting will eventually become much smoother.

(2) Don't worry about downshifting until you get used to upshifting. Again, once you get used to it, car speed/gear selection will become automatic and you'll be able to downshift smoothly without using the gas pedal.

(3) Don't force 1st or reverse. If you initially feel any resistance going into 1st gear, let the shifter back into neutral, let the clutch out then press it back in, then try 1st again. When shifting into reverse I always go into 1st gear first. Bring the car to a full stop (obviously), and with the clutch in, shift into 1st gear, then bring it into reverse. If you still feel any resistance going into reverse, do that again. Doing that helps line up the sychros.

(4) Like A20A1 said, practice a lot on open level parking lots or roads. You really should get comfortable with the clutch engagement point before you find yourself stuck at a stop sign or red light facing uphill and you've got to shift into 1st from a dead stop with another car right on you ass.

Oh, and I wouldn't really try starting out in 2nd. The only reason is because you do have to rev it a little bit to keep from stalling. It's a little different techinique than starting in 1st. Plus, in stock form, I don't think you have to worry too much about chirping the tires with these motors. They will get you to 200,000+ miles, but not all that fast. :lol:these cars wil eaisily chirp the tires,i can do that in first and second. these motors produce a lot more torque then you think,this can actually help you to not stall them. My advise is when you can,take you a performance driving course,it will really help you learn to shift heel and toe,that is the best way to shift,it's hard to explain unless someone shows you. I've done a lot of road course time in hondas and when you learn to drive them the way they were meant to be driven they are a lot more fun. i've been driving manual transmissions sine i was 15 and i'm 33 now,that includes several hundred track hours. don't let anyone tell you these cars won't move,it's all in the driving technique. they were built to rev and the gear ratios were set up for the same,I a hate autos with a passion,give me a five speed or i'll walk if i have to. the pedals on these cars are set up for perfect heel toe shifting,they are like european sports cars,small and very close together. a performance driving course will also teach you to get out of situations where other people do stupid stuff,they don't teach you that in drivers ed. a perfect example is when someone else pulls out in front of you,and you can't avoid them,most people will just colide with them,but if you think outside of the box you learn to have already looked for ways out before you were in that sitation. is that yard empty? i can go through there,is the other lane empty? you may do minor damage to your car but it beats a major collision. it's about always thinking ahead. sorry to get off topic, i would really reccomend that course if you want to get good at driving a stick,learn proffesional driving techniques from the beginning.

[lostforawhile]

this will really help you a lot,learn this from the get go. http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/07/24/heel_and_toe_shifting_made_simple

[killahb87]

these cars wil eaisily chirp the tires,i can do that in first and second. these motors produce a lot more torque then you think,this can actually help you to not stall them. My advise is when you can,take you a performance driving course,it will really help you learn to shift heel and toe,that is the best way to shift,it's hard to explain unless someone shows you. I've done a lot of road course time in hondas and when you learn to drive them the way they were meant to be driven they are a lot more fun. i've been driving manual transmissions sine i was 15 and i'm 33 now,that includes several hundred track hours. don't let anyone tell you these cars won't move,it's all in the driving technique. they were built to rev and the gear ratios were set up for the same,I a hate autos with a passion,give me a five speed or i'll walk if i have to. the pedals on these cars are set up for perfect heel toe shifting,they are like european sports cars,small and very close together. a performance driving course will also teach you to get out of situations where other people do stupid stuff,they don't teach you that in drivers ed. a perfect example is when someone else pulls out in front of you,and you can't avoid them,most people will just colide with them,but if you think outside of the box you learn to have already looked for ways out before you were in that sitation. is that yard empty? i can go through there,is the other lane empty? you may do minor damage to your car but it beats a major collision. it's about always thinking ahead. sorry to get off topic, i would really reccomend that course if you want to get good at driving a stick,learn proffesional driving techniques from the beginning.

thanx alot lost i'll look into that

[frantik]

i wouldnt just for the fact that u'd be in 5th gear at 50mph and you'd prob stall b/c of the low rpms.stick to 15mph and shift.

according to the manual, 50 is about where the shifting point for 5th gear is :)

Normal Acceleration
2nd - 15 MPH
3rd - 28
4th - 41
5th - 52

Cruise from Acceleration
2nd - 7 MPH
3rd - 22
4rd - 33
5th - 48

[lostforawhile]

that is normal driving for basic economy,you can shift at higher rpms then that and not hurt the motor at all

[spanky]

according to the manual, 50 is about where the shifting point for 5th gear is :)

Normal Acceleration
2nd - 15 MPH
3rd - 28
4th - 41
5th - 52

Cruise from Acceleration
2nd - 7 MPH
3rd - 22
4rd - 33
5th - 48
well, how i drive 50 is mid 4th around 2500 rpms so it's just how i drive. i learned on a 88 bmw 325 and 50mph is at 4th. (u can tell i dont read manuals.)

[lostforawhile]

i have taller gears in first and second
first about 30 miles an hour redline
second about fifty redline
third to fourth about 70 redline
no incriminating comments on fourth and fifth :lol:

[killahb87]

rev match and double clucth so you save your synchro. Ill get a tutorial for that later...

alright thanx. but could you explain double clutch and rev match?

(yes im a newb)

[spanky]

ive never seen it done but in double clutching you press the clutch to disengage the clutch take it out of gear and put it into neutral the release the clutch to let the cars rpms go down and then you disengage the clutch again and put it into the gear you want. this is also called granny clutching. rev matching (HEARD IT ONCE OR TWICE) it's where you disengage the clutch and put it into the gear you want give it some gas to get the rpms up and release the clutch so the rev should be about the same (not sure if it's all correct but i dont do it so i dk sry)

[lostforawhile]

rev matching is just trying to keep the speed of the engine and driveline the same when you engage the clutch,this keeps you from reving the motor up when you engage the clutch. it's just something you learn with practice.

[EvilPenciler]

double clucthing is when you put the clutch down put it into netrual an then cluctch down and put it into gear if you tap the throttle to the aproite rpm ofr the gear you get a smooth transission and a happy transmission

[halxi]

heres the "how to" for the rev match/double clutch downshifting from 3rd to 2nd

driving in 3rd
engage clutch
put transmission in neuteral position
disengage clutch
"blip" (or tap throttle lightly, to where it hits around 4k rpm, but that will vary with speed, gear, etc. etc.) the throttle
now the speedy part
engage clutch
put in 2nd
disengage clutch


i read that tut. on the heal/toe thing with the downshifting and ive been practicing that through every turn pretty much, and around an empty parking lot. Its hard to do, but if you get pretty good at it, it does improve the cornering ability, and speed.

[lostforawhile]

just for a note; double clutching is used a lot on cars that have been built with heavier gears for road course racing,and don't have room for syncros in the transmission. they are called dog gears by the way,with those a little gear grinding doesn't hurt anything.It's never to early to learn to drive a stick right,leave the autos to the soccer moms who don't want to learnn http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b205/moultriemanicmechanic/2063598_7.gif

[killahb87]

thanx a lot yall. im startin to get the hang of it. my hatch gets out maaco this monday (got it painted flame red) looks really good to me. ill post pics then

[kidman2505]

Push in and hold down clutch,Put shifter into 1st, Rev engine to 6500 RPM, dump clutch, ride it out... :rice:

[tedhodges]

Please note that it is also possible to drive a stick without using the clutch. It's handy to have this skill if your clutch cable breaks or the master cylinder goes out.

A few years back my family had a '91 Ford Probe, and we had to drive it all of summer '02 with a bad clutch master cylinder.

[89AccordLX2dr]

I never shift at 3k unless I see KCAM in my rearview barrelling down on me, then it's around 4 or 5k depending if he sees me or not. But normal driving shift usually around 2k.