Can you drive a car with a manual transmission?

[DirtyBird]

I just bought a 6-speed manual transmission tos wap into my car this summer... and I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO DRIVE IT....

Any of you guys have any tips? :redface: How long did it take you guys to get the hang of it?

[MentorX]

You aren't a real driver until you learn to drive stick. I am a real driver. :woohoo:

Tips? Be prepared to replace your clutch a lot until you become proficient.
Grind em till you find em.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riding_the_clutch

[lies on myspace]

I've been driving a for a few months now and I'm still getting the hang of it. There's not really anything anyone can say that'll make it easier to learn. It's just something you have to learn from experience.

For me, what helped a lot, was just learning how to put the vehicle in motion just using the clutch.

A tachometer can help a bit, too.

[3Dradio]

As loms said, tachometer FTW. Also, never dump the clutch. Ever. It may sound cool in theory, but all it shows is a tremendous lack of maturity and intelligence. Taking off from a stop on hills is what pisses me off...especially when the people behind me get .2 inches from my bumper. Since people will, without fail, do this every fucking time, I've learned how to hold the vehicle in place with the clutch and take off just by transitioning to gas.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

My reccomendation is to go testdrive some crappy ass 4 cylinder with a 5 speed. If you don't kill it, you can drive anything with a clutch.

I've had people who drive hopped up V-8 trucks with manuals get into my POS ranger and kill it. It's fucking classic.

But basically remember, gas in: clutch out. When you hear the engine starting to slow down, just let out SLOWER with the clutch. letting go of all the pedals at the same time is a bad move.

I tried to teach a girl how to drive a stick one night. Every time the engine would start to pull she'd freak out and let out on all the pedals. It took like 2 hours to make a 15 minute trip.

[DirtyBird]

Welll... I've got a tach, lol. Since I'll be converting over to this 6-speed, Im thinking about getting a big tacky tach with a shift light! :D

ANd I dont have ANY friends that drive manual transmission cars. Okay... nevermind, I Got one friend who has an '06 Mustang GT... but that's a V8. He was trying to teach me how to drive his the other day but I didnt have enouhg time to really catch on with it. And right before we got started he decided to drive like a jackass right down the street and I was worried about someone calling the cops and giving ME a ticket for it... So... whatever. You think it'd be a good idea to take him up on his offer again?

Here's my dilemma. The clutch that came with this thing is a fancy fancy $500 Spec Clutches State 3 clutch. It engages HARD and is rated for something like 750 ft/lbs of torque. To give you an idea a Ferrari Enzo puts out less than 500 ft/lbs.

So this clutch is a bitch to actually use. So I'm going to buy a stock replacement clutch.

Dilemma - Do I use this clutch to learn on so I can waste an already wasted, free clutch? Or is it going to be so frustrating/hard to use that I'd be better off getting a new stock replacement clutch? Remember, to replace the clutch pretty much requires dropping the transmission out of the car, so replacing it later is a HUGE pain in the butt.

So is it pretty much a given that I will waste a clutch early on, or is it one of those things that I'll probably be fine with if it's new?

And here's the source for all my newfound anxiety:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/InfernalVortex/T56/a100_6297.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee213/InfernalVortex/T56/a100_6294b.jpg

IT's even got a Pro 5.0 shifter on it and they're $200! Slave and master cyl are in the castrol box. I've still got to buy around $1000 worth of parts to get it in my car, plus cutting some holes, so I'll have until mid/late summer to fret over learning how to do this, lol.

[MentorX]

I've learned how to hold the vehicle in place with the clutch and take off just by transitioning to gas.

How are you at holding the car uphill?

[53V3N]

It's not so much about clutch as it is coordination. It takes every driver a second or two to get used to a new or different clutch. Learning how to drive a manual transmission is more about getting your brain used to the dynamic between the clutch and the gas. Once that 'clicks' you'll be able to drive any stick.

Exotic clutches (performance clutches) definitely take a little longer to get used to, all that being said, if you can get a hold of a vehicle with a relatively easy/forgiving (broken-in) clutch for a day even and get someone to hang out with you in a big empty parking lot and just fuck around until you get the hang of it, I would say that would be a beneficial use of your time. My apologies for that out of control run-on sentence there. I'm in a bit of a food coma at the moment. Good Luck, DirtyBird. You're gonna fucking LOVE it.

[Icarus]

Driving a stick is 3,000,000,000 times better than driving an auto. Congratulations on making the right choice, by far. I would suggest that EVERYONE learn to drive stick - you really learn to respect and understand the dynamic nature of a car.

Everyone says, make sure you let the clutch out slowly. Well, they aren't joking. The first few times, I recommend that you literally let the clutch out AS SLOWLY AS YOU PHYSICALLY CAN so that you get a feel for the engage point, and how the power tapers on.

The thing that helped me (I was driving a low-powered car with an extremely sensitive gas and clutch pedals, and it had no tachometer!) was reading about the mechanics of how it worked - I knew the concept, but not how the actual parts connected in my car and the process of what happened when I released the pedal. That was really the turning point, as I was struggling with learning it.

Also, if you live in a hilly area, learn the e-brake trick.

You will really enjoy it! Driving a stick is way more enjoyable than driving auto. It's just pure fun. I especially enjoyed using hills and slopes and the inertia of my car to shift and gas and clutch as minimally as possible. It was like a sport!

At first, you will probably end up driving way faster than you intend to. Just remember that, once you are rolling, you will require less gas than usual to go the same speed you would in an auto.

Edit: Some more input.

I think I stalled like 16-25 times (lol, weird number range, I know) which is not very much, but I would only try about once a week, for about 15 minutes a try. I had a lot of time to visualize and mentally play back the situation. Once you figure out how it feels to properly drive and shift, you will pretty much be at a normally-functioning level of driving after a week of driving around, if you drive every day. So you will have a steep learning curve but after that you won't have many problems.

A clutch can typically have two people learn on it, in addition to a couple years of driving, before it needs replacement, in my experience. However, that is a stock clutch, not a performance clutch.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

From what I understand, performance clutches are 2 things: harder to press, (which really isn't a big deal) and usually they're either 'engaged' or 'disengage' meaning you aren't going to be able to 'slip' it as easy.

That translates into basically driving with the gas pedal, instead of the clutch to take off. I have to feather both with my 4-cylinder because If I don't do it right I'll kill it.

In a standard shift V-8, you should be able to take off by only disengaging the clutch. The torque of an idling 8 being higher than a 4 duh.

Like icky said. Sit in your/your buddy's car, and just let the clutch out SLOWLY. As icarus suggested, as slow as you possibly can. And when you either see the tach droop, or hear the engine start to bog, or feel the car start to move, you can feather the gas in and let the clutch out.

After you do it a few times it'll get to be second nature.

The other thing to remember is shifting.

If your transmission is in the standard H configuration, It should look like:

1 3 5
|-|-|-
2 4 6 R

The position of reverse can be pretty much anywhere around the core 6 gears. And when you let go of the shifter, (if it is normal) It'll return to the neutral position between 3 and 4.

When teaching the little sister, I had to explain it to her. I take it for granted, but she didn't 'know' where the gears were, so she had to look at the shifter, see where it was, see where the next gear was, and then move it there.

Reading that taks as long as it does to actually do it, and while you're staring at the shifter, you aren't looking at the road. Not a good combo.

I would practice shifting while motionless, with the e-brake on, and the clutch pressed in just to get the feel of the gears.

Basically, I would figure as much shit out as you can without moving. Because once you do start moving, it's breaking shit time and that always sucks.

[Icarus]

Also, the longer you take between shifts, the more speed you lose. You need to think through the process before you do it, if you take a while to think about what you're doing it will only get harder. Plan your shifts!

[BrIONwoshMunky]

You're so going to crash and burn. :thumbsup:

Also of note, I find learning in a truck to be easier, as the shifter's are usually longer, and it's easier to tell which gear it's in by site.

The short throw on most cars is somewhat annoying, to me at least, but then again, I grew up on tractors and in trucks. :happysad:

[DirtyBird]

You're so going to crash and burn. :thumbsup:

Also of note, I find learning in a truck to be easier, as the shifter's are usually longer, and it's easier to tell which gear it's in by site.

The short throw on most cars is somewhat annoying, to me at least, but then again, I grew up on tractors and in trucks. :happysad:

I've got a nice heavy duty short-throw shifter... keeps you from overshooting your gears, but I guess you'd have to just get a feel for which gera you're in.

I know what the clutch does, and I have a vague idea of how it works. But it wasnt until seeing all the pieces of the flywheel, disk, and clutch assembly together that it started to make a little more sense... but I do know the basic mechanicals of it. I guess I'vej ust got to get the feel for when and where the clutch is engaging on the pedal travel and get coordinated.

My problem the other night was just that Im not use to coordinating my left and right feet like that... But my buddy assures me that it's like riding a bike. Once you get it, you get it.



But what is it that wears out a clutch as a beginner? Is it constantly slipping it?

And when you guys are slowing down to a stop, do you downshift through each gear or pop it in neutral or hold the clutch?

[BrIONwoshMunky]

Clutches wear through slipping. When neither fully engaged, or fully disengaged. When you're first starting out, you're likely to over rev the engine and let the clutch out slower than really necessary.

When slowing down, I simply clutch and brake. You can move to neutral if you really want, but it depends, that's total judgment call. Sometimes I sit through reds with my foot on the clutch, sometimes I switch to neutral and just chill. I usually slow with the clutch, so if the light changes I don't have to spend 432 years grabbing a gear and getting going again. In actuality it's only like .2 longer to do the neutral thing, but it seems so inefficient. Slowing down by downshifting in my opinion does nothing but ruin your clutch and put extra stress on your transmission and drivetrain. You installed those super brakes for something, may as well use them as they should be easier to replace than a tranny/clutch. If you were racing, you could downshift slowdown, so you didn't overheat your brakes, but I don't think daily driving will require you take those extreme measures.

[53V3N]

The best way to save wear and tear on your car when coming to a stop is to open the door (thus creating drag) and put your foot out onto the pavement, gradually applying pressure until the car has reached a complete stop. Then pull your foot back in, close the door and then step on the brake to keep the car from rolling.

[Icarus]

I would put it in neutral when I stopped, because I like it that way. Downshifting each time is wearing your clutch more - you wear it a little each time you shift. However, it can be good to do it, since you get a feel for the proper times and RPMs to downshift.

I'll neve forget the time I went to second instead of fourth! I was SO SURPRISED.

Also, stalling is really hard on a clutch. That's a huge part of what wears it down.

[DirtyBird]

Why would stalling be hard on a clutch? It just means it's being stressed less, not more, as the engine stalls right?


The best way to save wear and tear on your car when coming to a stop is to open the door (thus creating drag) and put your foot out onto the pavement, gradually applying pressure until the car has reached a complete stop. Then pull your foot back in, close the door and then step on the brake to keep the car from rolling.

hahahahahahaha :D

[UberSkippy]

The trick to driving a stick is learning to move your left foot and your right foot independently.

The next trick to driving a stick is not looking like a douchebag when you get into an automatic and try to shift it when you come to a stop light.

Skip the performance clutch for now. It's expensive and it'll just make it harder to learn. Kinda like with Descent's car: buy the cheap one to learn on so if you do fuck it up it's not a huge loss.

The stick isn't hard. It's just not easy. Basically you have to listen to your car. Clutch out, gas in.

Stalling will happen. I've been driving my truck for 12 years and every once in a great while I'll still stall it. It just happens. But after you drive a stick for a while you get used to it and it all becomes second nature.

But stalling IS hard on the clutch simply because the stresses on it aren't smooth. The engine starts bucking and the clutch gets LOTS of stress NO stress LOTS of stress... It's not really good for it.

[Shamiaqua]

I learned to drive in a '78 Toyota Pick-up, manual transmission.

I later bought an automatic Ford Escort.

I have since "forgotten" how to drive a stick, and I'm still happy. I know in some of your eyes, that makes me a pussy, and I don't care.

[steelasp]

I've got a nice heavy duty short-throw shifter... keeps you from overshooting your gears, but I guess you'd have to just get a feel for which gera you're in.

I know what the clutch does, and I have a vague idea of how it works. But it wasnt until seeing all the pieces of the flywheel, disk, and clutch assembly together that it started to make a little more sense... but I do know the basic mechanicals of it. I guess I'vej ust got to get the feel for when and where the clutch is engaging on the pedal travel and get coordinated.

My problem the other night was just that Im not use to coordinating my left and right feet like that... But my buddy assures me that it's like riding a bike. Once you get it, you get it.



But what is it that wears out a clutch as a beginner? Is it constantly slipping it?

And when you guys are slowing down to a stop, do you downshift through each gear or pop it in neutral or hold the clutch?

DirtyBird! I was shocked and alarmed to learn that you've never driven stick before. As a car guy, I know you're going to love the increased control it gives you. Anyway, I'll share my first clutch experience with you. A few years ago, I bought a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart with a manual transmission. I had driven a manual a few times before, but never really gotten the hang of it. After I had the car a few months, I had a pretty good idea of how it worked.
I let two friends borrow it to run to the store for a pack of smokes. (bad move with a new car, I know, but I was drunk and not thinking straight) They come back a few hours later, and inform me that my car just stopped dead for no reason and wouldn't start anymore.(I believe this to be not entirely true, and I have never managed to get the full story out of them) I took it to a dealership, and they discovered that my clutch and flywheel were both in several pieces. they classified it as damage due to abuse, and refused to fix it under warranty.

It was 800 bucks to get it fixed. My friends paid for half the repair, we put it behind us, and I never bugged them about what really happened. Now both these friends drive cars with manual transmission, so they didn't fuck it up just by ignorance. Perhaps they have never driven a car with that much power before. Some of my mechanic friends have said the only thing that could cause that much damage, even in a clutch that was pretty worn out, would be revving the engine hard and dropping the clutch in third gear, or shifting into reverse while the car is moving. I had been rough on it, but had never done anything like that.

Anyway, after that first clutch was replaced, I haven't had any problems since. Once you get the hang of it, you'll just be able to feel it.

As for your question, what wears out the clutch with most noob stick drivers is when the clutch is slipping as you let off the pedal if the RPMs of the engine and transmision are not equalized. Your performance clutch would probably hold up longer because it bites so hard so fast... Instead, the car is going to jerk you around when you let out the clutch, and that strain is going to be put on other parts of your drive train, like your transmission. It's going to take you a while to learn the gear ratios, but the best way to learn is to drive it around with the radio OFF so you can hear your engine, and listen to the difference in the pitch of the engine before and after you shift. Also, watching your tach helps alot. once you can match the RPMs by sound/feel/tach, you will know when to let out your clutch while shifting. It's not hard. In fact, once you're really good at matching the RPMs, you can shift without the clutch.

Really, the hardest part to get the hang of is starting from a standstil, because you have to let your clutch slip just the right way to get the car rolling without stalling the engine, or spinning your tires. once your moving, shifting gears is a piece of cake.

And to answer your other question, It depends on the situation. If you have to stop quickly, putting your car in neutral and using your brakes is the fastest way to stop. I usually down shift through the gears to second gear when I want to gradually slow down, Engine braking is one of the nicest things about a standard. I very rarely downshift into first, unless I'm in really slow town traffic that's moving two miles an hour. Even then, I'll often just put the car in neutral and brake to 2 MPH and then put the car back in gear. When downshifting, you may want to rev the engine a bit to match the RPMs before you take your foot off the clutch. It makes for a smoother transition, and is gentler on your clutch, but don't overdo it. Once again, when you get this down right, you can downshift without the clutch.

Good luck man, and enjoy! I know you will.

[dull_bullet]

When I first started out driving stick my dad told me to use two seperate motions with the feet. Right foot revs the engine first (rev it and keep up high), then slowly...SLOWLY let go of the clutch. After a while these two seperate motions will become one and you'll be golden. As for braking, I usually downshift instead of putting it in neutral. The last time I tried to put it in neutral while braking the light in front of me turned green and I forgot to put the car in gear. My engine revved and I didn't go anywhere. :cool:

[Stardust]

I've never drived automatic.
It's simple, just in the beginning, sit in your car(have it parked or something) then try without watching getting all the dots right :happysad:

[UberSkippy]

My engine revved and I didn't go anywhere. :cool:

I'm pretty sure that wasn't the smiley face you were using at the time.

More like this maybe: :redface:

[dull_bullet]

It was more of a "GODDAMNIT!" thing, but I was just being ironic.

[Icarus]

Steelasp mentioned engine braking - that was one of my favorite parts! You can be speeding like all fuck, and if you pass a cop that's hiding, you just downshift and left off the gas. You slow down with no brake lights! :thumbsup:

[Kitten225]

I prefer to drive a manual vs. automatic. Once you get the hang of it I think you will love it.

At the beginning the tach will be vital for you to shift, but after awhile you won't need it. You'll get used to what speed is what gear and listening to your engine to shift.

I had a beautiful lifted '98 Dodge that was a stick. Only had a 318 in it, always wanted to have a 360, but it had to be sacrificed due to my divorce. :sad: It's always the innocent that is affected.

I miss it so much. I have to go, I'm tearing up.

[<Awesomness>]

Tips? Be prepared to replace your clutch a lot until you become proficient.
Grind em till you find em.

I wouldnt worry about being that bad, just dont ride the clutch and you will be fine. I learned to drive in my mothers 5 speed sentra, no tach and that thing still has the stock clutch in it. You should be fine if you dont ride it.



The next trick to driving a stick is not looking like a douchebag when you get into an automatic and try to shift it when you come to a stop light.

I had been driving my car for quite some time and I hopped in my friends car to go to his house. His car was an auto. I go to push the clutch in and shift but slam the brake. It was pretty embarassing.


When I was learning it took me a good month to get good enough to not stall, but to learn good enough to get around was a few hours in an empty parking lot.

You do have a lot more controll over how your car handles, and down shifting is awesome.

[UberSkippy]

I wouldnt worry about being that bad, just dont ride the clutch and you will be fine. I learned to drive in my mothers 5 speed sentra, no tach and that thing still has the stock clutch in it. You should be fine if you dont ride it.

I've been driving my truck for 12 years. No Tach and it's still got the original clutch.

If you burn your clutch out learning to drive a manual you either had a really shitty clutch or you're a really shitty driver.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

I had been driving my car for quite some time and I hopped in my friends car to go to his house. His car was an auto. I go to push the clutch in and shift but slam the brake. It was pretty embarassing.

I do that ALL the time if I borrow one of the parents' vehicles to get stuff for the farm. I'm constantly throwing myself at the dash as I slam on the brakes when approaching a stop sign, or reaching for the phantom gear shifter. Luckily , I'm alone most of the time.

[Icarus]

I've been driving my truck for 12 years. No Tach and it's still got the original clutch.

If you burn your clutch out learning to drive a manual you either had a really shitty clutch or you're a really shitty driver.

Well, mine got burnt out, but my sister was driving it, and she hadn't learned to drive it properly after about 6 months. She just didn't understand, I guess.

[DirtyBird]

So do you guys have to hold in the clutch around like... sharp corners and such?

[53V3N]

You're kidding right?

edit: Knowing how much of a car enthusiast you are, I am truly excited for you that you are about to learn how to drive a manual transmission.

In most corners, you'll want to break, down-shift and then power through the turn. Knowing which line to take, when to break, and when to re-engage will come with experience.

[Stardust]

You're kidding right?

Don't you remember how weird it was when you learned how to drive a car?
When to clutch and when to do that and so on. :happysad:

[53V3N]

Don't you remember how weird it was when you learned how to drive a car?
When to clutch and when to do that and so on. :happysad:

Well I was half-way giving DB shit but I think at this point he knows me well enough.

Cornering technique doesn't really change from auto to manual transmission. It's "brake into it, drive out of it" in either case.

Oh... and... :thumbsup: :D :nana::cheerldr::beerchug::snowma n::ufo::banana::witch::welcome:

Why? I have NO IDEA.

[Stardust]

Well I was half-way giving DB shit but I think at this point he knows me well enough.

Cornering technique doesn't really change from auto to manual transmission. It's "brake into it, drive out of it" in either case.

Oh... and... *here goes alot of random smilies*

Why? I have NO IDEA.

youre just jealous I was on his side ;)
ok not really...
I know you where joking.. :rolleyes:

and bird! good luck with driving manual :hug2: :D

[UberSkippy]

So do you guys have to hold in the clutch around like... sharp corners and such?

NO. You only put the clutch in when you want to disengage the transmission from the engine. That should only occur when you're shifting, or when you're sitting at a stop light and haven't put the car in Neutral. Otherwise there is no reason to depress the clutch.

Hint 1: The biggest mistake drivers of manuals make is "riding" the clutch. They rest their foot on the clutch pedal. This causes the clutch to activate slightly so it doesn't have a firm grip causing excessive wear. When driving, you should rest your left foot on the floor. Never, ever, rest your foot on the peddle. The only time your foot should be near the peddle is when you're getting ready to use it and it should only be ON the peddle when you ARE using it.

Hint 2: Another big mistake drivers make is resting their right hand on the gear shift lever itself. In newer cars this isn't a huge problem and in some cars it's not a problem at all. But this puts pressure on the shift lever which in turn can put pressure on the shift linkage. You can wear the linkage out a lot faster by doing this. So, like the peddle, you shouldn't touch the damn thing unless you're using it.

Hint 3: Don't over think it. Even 14 year olds can drive a stick. (Driver's ed here uses both manual and automatic.) If a brand new driver with the mental capacity of a 14 year old can learn a stick anyone can if they just don't over think it.

It's as easy as: 1. Car in gear. 2. Left foot eases up on the clutch while the left foot eases down on the gas.

If it helps, read up on how the clutch works. Sometimes understanding the mechanics behind a thing will help you understand how to make the thing work.

[countrygrl]

Use your brakes to slow down and to stop with. That's what they are for. Downshift when you have to brake so much that if you don't downshift you bog the motor down. So you aren't actually downshifting to slow the car down you are downshifting so that you can bring the car out of the brake. Make sense?


So, you gettin' it down the road, haulin' ass and you're coming up on a real nice curve that requires a slower speed in order to stay on the road. Brake to slow down and accelerate through the curve to maintain the best traction. If you have to slow enough to get through the curve then you'll have to down shift after breaking or during so that you can accelerate through the curve or the engine is gonna bog. Don't ever downshift in the middle of a curve. It's a good way to break traction and lose control of the car.


There's nothing like hauling ass on a good curvy road in tight car with a stick shift.


I learned to drive a manual shift by riding motorcycles. My first car was a stick shift and when I test drove it I had never driven a manual shift car before, just a motorcycle. Once you get how a clutch feels when it's right you won't have a problem with clutches anymore in anything. It's all same same.

Starting and stopping is the hardest. In order to learn to start moving learn on a hill. First try to just hold the car with the clutch, yes it's hard on it but it shouldn't take you long. After that learning to go move is a given. BTW, you shouldn't hold your car on a hill with the clutch. If you have to do something besides just hold the brake in then rock the car with the clutch.



Next Nascar race turn the TV on loud for a few minutes and listen to the cars and how they accelerate, decelarate and listen to the shifts.

[DirtyBird]

You're kidding right?

edit: Knowing how much of a car enthusiast you are, I am truly excited for you that you are about to learn how to drive a manual transmission.

In most corners, you'll want to break, down-shift and then power through the turn. Knowing which line to take, when to break, and when to re-engage will come with experience.

I meant like in parking lots and U-turns and such, actually. Where you normally just coast the car around

[countrygrl]

If you're going slower than first gear will let you go then you have to push in the clutch. Chances are that if you are pulling into a parking space that isn't angled you will need to push in the clutch.


It really gets to be so automatic that it's hard to tell someone else what you do. You just do it. To start with you will use the clutch a lot more than you will as you get used to driving a manual shift.

[UberSkippy]

No I meant like in parking lots and such.

Again, the only time you put the clutch in is when you want to disengage the motor from the drive train. If the car starts to lug in gear you need to down shift or just hold the clutch in.

FYI: A short throw shifter means you don't have to move the shifter very far between gears. It's got nothing to do with "Over Shooting" the gears. You can shift way fast with a short throw. You can't really over shoot, the shifter moves between gates. At the end of a gate is a gear, between gates is a neutral point. If you "over shoot" you've busted through a gate... in that case you're either Superman or the Incredible hulk. In both cases you're completely fucked.

My dad's car had a short throw... 1st to 2nd was about three inches.

I've got a long Throw Shifter... 1st to 2nd is about 15 inches.

[Icarus]

DB, for all the advice we're giving you, the MOST important thing will be getting it rolling. After that, you will be getting a feel for it - and you learn really quickly. You'll stall in driveways and steep inclines, or making a U-Turn, a couple times. But you will know what to do soon enough.

The thing about sharp corners is, you will probably be slowing down, and as such, when you come out of the corner, you'll want to be in a lower gear. So I would downshift before the corner, but keep the clutch pressed in until I had turned it, and then accelerate out of it.

[<Awesomness>]

Pushing the clutch in is esentially putting an auto in neutral in terms of power to the wheels.

If you are driving spirited and your are taking corners fast and what not, you will want to brake before you are turning. If you brake while turning your weight balance will be thrown off and the chance of you flying towards the outside of the corner is greatly increased. Hit your apex off the gas then accelerate out of the corner. Depending on the corner and your tires/suspention you could accelerate before you hit the apex.

The best feeling in a car IMO is taking a corner perfect, and exiting just right for the next corner.

[DirtyBird]

Again, the only time you put the clutch in is when you want to disengage the motor from the drive train. If the car starts to lug in gear you need to down shift or just hold the clutch in.

FYI: A short throw shifter means you don't have to move the shifter very far between gears. It's got nothing to do with "Over Shooting" the gears. You can shift way fast with a short throw. You can't really over shoot, the shifter moves between gates. At the end of a gate is a gear, between gates is a neutral point. If you "over shoot" you've busted through a gate... in that case you're either Superman or the Incredible hulk. In both cases you're completely fucked.

My dad's car had a short throw... 1st to 2nd was about three inches.

I've got a long Throw Shifter... 1st to 2nd is about 15 inches.'

The shifter I have:

http://i.b5z.net/i/u/509876/i/pro50shifter.jpg

Shortthrow, billet, pretty stout.


And given that Im such a racing nerd and so hardcore about knowing the mechanicals of my vehicles inside and out, I'm sure I'll get the hang of this stuff pretty quickly as soon as I get to the point where I can think with all 4 limbs at once...

[leehype]

Allright, I can't read this whole thread to see if this info has been posted or not, so if I step on anyones feet, sorry.

The number one thing that will help you learn to drive a stick is to remember that you know how to drive. People forget to do everything else because there are 2 more steps involved in driving a stick. You still have to press the gas to start moving faster, just now you have to make the car shift and eather press the clutch in of shift to N to stop.

You do not need to use the gas to start moving. People do because its faster and most think it saves the clutch as your not on it as long but its still used the same amount. I have become very proficient at not using the gas when starting, and this includes on hills (actually this makes hills as easy as using an auto, but a larger engine helps this as well...)

Just take your time. You'll find installing it will be the hardest part, not driving it. You have enough power to overcome being new.

[DirtyBird]

Just take your time. You'll find installing it will be the hardest part, not driving it. You have enough power to overcome being new.


Hahaha... I hope so man... It's a damn lot of work to convert everything over, plus about $1000 in parts I need to finish it up.

New:
Pedals
crossmember
clutch
Speedo signal converter box
console panel+shift boot
shift knob
LT1 starter
+ lotsa wiring :redface:

[UberSkippy]

'

The shifter I have:

http://i.b5z.net/i/u/509876/i/pro50shifter.jpg

Shortthrow, billet, pretty stout.



Yup, it sure is pretty. But still, you can't "overshoot" the gears. You can MISS a gear simply by going over too far and getting into the wrong gate.

Again, the throw is the distance between the gears or how far you have to move the shifter to go from one to the next in simplified terms.

Short throw shifters are faster to go from gear a to gear b. But they're a bit harder to learn because it's way easier to go from bear b to gear c instead of gear a.

The gears are close together which means it's easier to pick the wrong gear. Only a shit fucking moron would miss a gear in my truck but with a shifter like that it'll happen easier. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice shifter and with a little bit of practice you'll have it down pat.

Again, the hardest part is just learning how to go from stop to moving. That just takes practice. Some cars are easier than others to learn. Some have huge friction points, some have little itty bitty friction points... That's all down to the individual cars and equipment they have. But no matter what, it's not really that hard, you just need to practice.

[Happytoad]

I'm form Texas, if it's got wheels I can drive it; if it's got legs I can ride it.

[UberSkippy]

I'm form Texas, if it's got wheels I can drive it; if it's got legs I can ride it.

And if it bends over you'll fuck it right?

[DirtyBird]

So, expert opinions, how trashed is this clutch? Is it worth using for a little while longer or...?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/DirtyBird133/100_6329.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/DirtyBird133/100_6328.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/DirtyBird133/100_6326.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/DirtyBird133/100_6325.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/DirtyBird133/100_6323-1.jpg

[UberSkippy]

Honestly, as long as you've got the fucker apart why not replace the worn bits? You'll have to do it in the near future anyway, might as well save yourself the headache.

[DirtyBird]

Honestly, as long as you've got the fucker apart why not replace the worn bits? You'll have to do it in the near future anyway, might as well save yourself the headache.

Depends on when it has to come out. I have no reference for comparison as far as worn clutches go. If it'll last a 5-10k miles, I'll keep it. If it won't make it to the next oil change, I'll spend the $300-$500 on getting a new clutch. But clutches aren't cheap, so if this one isnt that bad off, I'm going to use it. And like I said, it's a fancy $500 clutch.

[UberSkippy]

Depends on when it has to come out. I have no reference for comparison as far as worn clutches go. If it'll last a 5-10k miles, I'll keep it. If it won't make it to the next oil change, I'll spend the $300-$500 on getting a new clutch. But clutches aren't cheap, so if this one isnt that bad off, I'm going to use it. And like I said, it's a fancy $500 clutch.

Well, I'm no expert but the rotor looks pretty good to me. I'd replace the pads as they look pretty thin. (I'm not sure how think they should be however.)

Why do you need such a fancy clutch? Isn't your car a V6?

[steelasp]

Ok, I'm no mechanic, but this is my understanding of it. Wear on the clutch is sort of like wear on brakes. You only need to replace the pads which are designed to wear down with use. IF you let it go too long, you can damage the rest of the clutch assembly, and then you're looking at replacing the whole thing. Those pads look pretty worn to me (again, I'm not an expert and I really have no fucking clue) Considering this is your first manual, and you're probably going to wear it quickly, you'll probably want to replace the pads. I don't know if you can replace JUST the pads, or if you have to replace the whole clutch disk. Your pressure plate looks fine, I don't see any burning or serious wear. You might want to take this question to a forum dedicated to car stuff. I don't know how many real grease monkeys we have around here.

P.S. Can we see a picture of the flywheel too?

[necro]

Well, DB. From a mechanic in training, and a kid who drives an '82 S-10 with a 4 speed stick, here's my bit.

As everyone's said, don't ride your clutch. Uber had the best way of putting it. Don't touch it if you're not using it.

Another tip that helped me is to drive without shoes on. Just drive in your socks, or barefoot. It sounds stupid, but that lack of material will allow you to "feel" the friction point on the clutch alot more. El naturale, if you will. As you let out your clutch, you'll feel the motor start to pull. thats when you get on the gas. Don't stand on it, just balance out your left foot with your right foot, equal pressure.

[EDIT: Take note that driving without shoes IS illegal in the united states. I drove my first standard(86 Ford Bronco II) in my back yard with my shoes off. Course, I was 14.]

Honestly, getting into a standard was easy for me, because I've been riding quads and dirtbikes with a clutch for years. Not only with starting and stopping was it easy, but the flow of driving as well. It's a bit different, with a hand vs. a foot operating the clutch, but the theory of it makes it easier.

And I haven't learned about transmissions and clutches in my vocational school yet, so I'm not sure if you can run a cut on the clutch disc like you can a brake rotor. I'd look into it if I were you. it's gonna be alot less to run a cut than $500 bucks for a new clutch. Check it out.

What gear ratio are you going to run from your pinion gear on the starter to the flywheel? Any special ideas for the flywheel you're gonna run?

[Icarus]

DB, clutches generally wear a LOT, as in, they can go a LONG time, and the more worn a clutch is, the looser/more forgiving it is. You would probably be able to get started more easily with that clutch, but when you do drop in a newer one, you may have bad habits.

[Happytoad]

And if it bends over you'll fuck it right?

That's a good one I'll have to reword it alittle but I can make it work.

How about: If it's got wheels I can drive it; if its legs then I can ride it; when it bends over and shows the pink I can fuck it. There aint a road to rough, a bull to mean, or a hole to deep.

I'll keep working on it though to try to come up with something better.

[DirtyBird]

Well, I'm no expert but the rotor looks pretty good to me. I'd replace the pads as they look pretty thin. (I'm not sure how think they should be however.)

Why do you need such a fancy clutch? Isn't your car a V6?

1. The fancy clutch is FREE to me.

2. My car is definitely not a V6.

http://a285.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/37/l_8acf40d20eccb9fd25cd0fecd121864 c.jpg



And to whoever asked about the flywheel, I need a new, special flywheel anyway so the flywheel will not be reused. T56's have only been around since 1993, they switched to 1 pc rear main seal crankshafts/blocks in 86. There was never a factory car that had a 2 piece rear main seal and a T56, so I have to get a flywheel that has the bolt pattern for an older style 2 piece rear main seal crankshaft. My engine block is from a 72 Chevelle.

Pinion gear ratio on the starter? Uh... I'm just going to use a stock LT1 engine's starter. They're smaller and they fit. It'll be for a 153 tooth flywheel.

[UberSkippy]

2. My car is definitely not a V6.


My bad, I don't know why I thought it was. :confused:

[DirtyBird]

My bad, I don't know why I thought it was. :confused:

I'd have rather you accused me of being gay! :redface:

[UberSkippy]

I'd have rather you accused me of being gay! :redface:

You're not?

Damn, my whole world is getting rocked here.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

The whole long v. short throw is my reason for suggesting that learning in a truck is easier.

And I have to laugh at LeeHype saying that he can start driving with just his clutch. Hop into my little 4-banger and get it rolling without the gas. Not that it can't be done, perhaps if you were going downhill and had a tailwind, but it'll die just idling in first gear.

On looking at your clutch disk, I'd see if a parts store wouldn't have a comparable one in stock that you could judge for yourself. Personally having never seen one before, I would say that yours looks worn, and the pressure plate looks ok. But then again... I've never seen the inside of a transmission.

And then again, I don't like fixing shit, knowing that I'm going to have to tear it apart and replace a part I've seen worn the last time I worked on it. If that's your game, then go for it.

[<Awesomness>]

The throw in my mothers sentra was fawking huge. To get it in 5th I practacly had to use my foot to be able to get it in all the way. Im not sure if it was easier to learn in. In my first teg I got a short shift kit, it shortend the throw quite a bit, and made it a bit easier to actually change gears. I have never put it in the wrong gear in either of my tegs, and they both have short shift kits.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

What kind of vehicle is a 'teg'?

[Icarus]

Integra.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

:solved:

[Happytoad]

Try driving a 70's Mack with the side by side shifters that's a mother fucker right there.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

Our tractors at home have double shifters, but only one is syncronized.

[Jordz]

Can you drive a car with a manual transmission?

The obligatory, honest and literal answer from myself is...

Yes. Yes I can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

[leehype]

That clutch looks to have about 25-30% of meat left. I wouldn't use it. If your learning to drive a stick and with that being a soft grab disk, you'll burn it out in about 10,000 miles. The pressure plate has less heat burn than I'd expect, however it is more than I would need to replace it. I would suggest new clutch parts.

The aftermarket short throw shifters are much more stout than stock shit, and I have driven a car with that setup, its very nice. The swap can be done in a day with 2 people that know what they are doing.

@Brion: It's one of the effects of driving a Jeep, I weigh about the same as your truck, but have 2 times the power. Gears help too.

Try driving a 70's Mack with the side by side shifters that's a mother fucker right there.

:lol: Yeah, twin sticks suck. Not using the clutch was next to impossible for me back then.

[Icarus]

I was able to get my 4-banger, AWD Camry (which probably weighed less than your truck, but was no lightweight) moving with no gas.

[Unspun]

You aren't a real driver until you learn to drive stick. I am a real driver. :woohoo:

Tips? Be prepared to replace your clutch a lot until you become proficient.
Grind em till you find em.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riding_the_clutch

yeah uh, NEVER use your own vehicle to learn to drive stick.

left foot clutch, right foot gas, clutch all the way down to start the car, halfway down to shift.shift when your rpm gauge hits the number 3

[UberSkippy]

@Brion: It's one of the effects of driving a Jeep, I weigh about the same as your truck, but have 2 times the power. Gears help too.

Gearing and idle speeds make a HUGE difference. I can ALMOST get my Ranger to go without using any gas but it idles so low that it'll usually die. It's got the 4.0 V6 but it's geared a little taller than a Jeep should be.

[<Awesomness>]

I could get both my Integras and my mothers sentra going without using the gas. For fun I used to drive around only using my right foot to drive, slowly lift off clutch as soon as the clutch is engaged I would move my foot over and hit the gas. Probably not so good for the clutch.

Just wait till you get good enough to heel and toe, now that is fun.

[RageAgainst]

Took me one or two hours of practice to get it. At first, the car kept shaking and stalling when I released the clutch. After like 30 minutes of that in the parking lot, I realized I was in 3rd gear, lol. Then it got much, much better. If you can stay put in a hill without touching the brakes or gas, then you pretty much got the hang of it.

[Icarus]

Yes, and you are now destroying your clutch. Lol. Terrible advice.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

Yes, and you are now destroying your clutch. Lol. Terrible advice.

I think suggesting downshifting for slowing down is terrible advice too. And while facing uphill at a stoplight, with idiots behind you, in a truck that is impossible to get moving without the gas, keeping your feet on the brake, gas, and clutch is next to impossible. Especially if you don't have boots with heels on them.


@Brion: It's one of the effects of driving a Jeep, I weigh about the same as your truck, but have 2 times the power. Gears help too.


I get that. I just had to laugh, that while you can do it in your jeep, not all vehicles are conducive to driving like that. The little sister's boyfriend has a 3/4 ton Dodge with (I think...) a 6.0 turbo diesel. You can start off from idle in about 4th with just the clutch. Of course, it most probably has more torque at idle than my little 4-banger does at 6 grand.

[lies on myspace]

And I have to laugh at LeeHype saying that he can start driving with just his clutch. Hop into my little 4-banger and get it rolling without the gas. Not that it can't be done, perhaps if you were going downhill and had a tailwind, but it'll die just idling in first gear.


I drive a Hyundai Accent, which is a subcompact, so it's quite small, and I have no problem moving the car with just the clutch. It's easier than on my mom's Santa Fe (an SUV). I always thought smaller cars were easier to get moving with the clutch.

To contribute to the vehicles with lame shifters stories: My dad has a Ram 3500, and the reverse gear is on the far left side, actually below 2nd. So it's easy to accidentally shift into reverse while shifting into 2nd. That's gay.

[53V3N]

DirtyBird, you're going to hear a lot of seemingly good advice about the best way to take a U-turn but I'm here to set the record straight:

It's all about the e-brake. Trust me.

[DirtyBird]

DirtyBird, you're going to hear a lot of seemingly good advice about the best way to take a U-turn but I'm here to set the record straight:

It's all about the e-brake. Trust me.

You dont think slowing to a stop, flooring the gas, popping the clutch, and applying full lock is a better idea? It's RWD ;)

[53V3N]

Brother, e-brake all the way. Just make sure you get up to at least 35 mph first. :D

edit: And steer into the turn, of course.

[zoloftcasserole]

Tried learning to drive a manual about ten years ago (a shitty little Escort hatchback), but the person teaching me was very impatient and kept yelling at me, so I said fuck that.

[Icarus]

Lol, in my first car, which was low-powered AWD, I would e-brake in a turn, then pop the clutch when I took the e-brake off, and just go incredibly batshit. It was really fun without warning my passengers.

[NavyPrincess73]

Take it from me LeeHype knows what he is talking about when it comes to driving a stick he taught me a little and I got it the first time it was great too. Love you Babe!!!

[RageAgainst]

Yes, and you are now destroying your clutch. Lol. Terrible advice.

Huhh, no. If you don't know how to do that, you'll be screwed at red lights on hills, like uber said.

[UberSkippy]

Well, personally I wouldn't suggest using the clutch as a means of holding your vehicle in place on a hill.

The breaks are better suited for that.

[MaxPower]

When stopped on a hill such as at a light, use your hand brake. Then as you're ready to move you can let the clutch up as you apply gas till it "bites". Now slowly let out the clutch as you release the hand brake. You won't roll back at all.

[DrPanini]

Living in the UK a high percentage of us use manual cars. If you have never used a manual car before then it may take you a while to get used to it.

[RageAgainst]

Well, personally I wouldn't suggest using the clutch as a means of holding your vehicle in place on a hill.

The breaks are better suited for that.

Nah I just said that if you're able to do that, then you pretty much master the manual transmission.

[Aliensavant]

It took me about three to six months to really get it smooth (it was during driver's ed, so I was learning to do the rest of that driving stuff plus I was only allowed so many hours a week of driving). It was another year or so before I could get undressed and eat at the same time while driving a stick. What really helped was my dad took me up a steep hill where there were few cars, explained how it works on a mechanical level, and then made me practice until I could a)not roll back when I switch from brake to gas b) not overrev the engine and/or peel out and c) not undergas the car and stall out. Do that once or twice and it will really help.

[eh what?]

lol. yanks struggling with manual gearboxes...jokes...

[Kitten225]

The guy I am seeing is thinking about buying my ex husband's ZX-2 and it's a manual. He has only driven a stick once so I took him out to try to teach him how to drive it.

Never again. Ever.

I couldn't see what he was doing with his feet because it was dark out but it definitely wasn't what I was telling him to do. Think I got whiplash. But I tried to be nice and supportive. I tried to stay positive, until he got upset about that. Him: "You telling me its alright, to try again and I will get it isn't really helping." Okay, end of lesson. I'm not known for my patience anyway.