EPTWatched a few youtube how-to videos, so I know how to do it, it just takes a lot of effort to learn. Anyone got any "general experience" advice from going from an automatic to a manual that might not be covered in a how-to?
Oh the joys of learning to drive a Stick Shift
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dabom88
United States3483 Posts
Watched a few youtube how-to videos, so I know how to do it, it just takes a lot of effort to learn. Anyone got any "general experience" advice from going from an automatic to a manual that might not be covered in a how-to? | ||
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SnipedSoul
Canada2158 Posts
Go to a parking lot and make it your goal to keep the revs at 2k RPM until you're completely off the clutch. You'll notice that the faster you let the clutch out, the faster the revs drop, so you need to use more gas to compensate. Don't ride the clutch, it's really hard on it. EDIT: Rev the engine before you start letting the clutch out. If the revs drop below 1k, immediately press the clutch back in and try again. Do this for 10 minutes or so, then take a break to let the clutch cool off. Eventually, you'll get the hang of it. If you ever feel like the car is going to stall, just press the clutch back in. | ||
itsjustatank
Hong Kong9165 Posts
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Carapas
Canada242 Posts
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WniO
United States2706 Posts
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EscPlan9
United States2777 Posts
There is a point that differs per car, where as you let out the clutch, the car will begin to be able to move without touching the gas pedal. You should have this position down to muscle memory. Of course don't do it too much since it will wear out the clutch a little - but its a good learning tool. It will help you learn where you really need to concentrate on the delicate gas/clutch coordination to initially get it moving. | ||
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DreamChaser
1649 Posts
On August 24 2012 11:40 Carapas wrote: Don't be afraid to press the gas. This this this this this, when i first learned i was to scared to put more gas into the car which lead me to jsut going nowhere and stalling. My own advice, find a friend you know who drives stick it will make the process a lot less painful and stress full and lastly, if you can get up a hill in going into first gear you can go anywhere. | ||
Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
<3 God Bless Americans :D Imo you should all be learnt to drive a MANUAL (stick shift >.<) first, then you know how to drive them or atleast the basics and then you can be free to purchase any car you like after that (Manual or Automatic) Biggest tip i can give you, is find where the bite is on your car's clutch, constantly finding the bite on your clutch is the key. Knowing the bite allows you to train your feet to find it so you can pull off with it. | ||
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VenomBRA
Netherlands168 Posts
On August 24 2012 12:41 EscPlan9 wrote: Everything SnipedSoul said is what I would recommend. If your car doesnt have a tachometer (RPM gauge), you will have to judge it by sound. I learned by sound when picking up driving stick. There is a point that differs per car, where as you let out the clutch, the car will begin to be able to move without touching the gas pedal. You should have this position down to muscle memory. Of course don't do it too much since it will wear out the clutch a little - but its a good learning tool. It will help you learn where you really need to concentrate on the delicate gas/clutch coordination to initially get it moving. This point is hard to find, you have to learn how to "feel" the car and getting this point in each car is pretty hard at first. It really helped me to learn when I would drive 3 different cars while learning, the auto-school's car, my mom's and my dad's cars. Never release the clutch too fast or the car will do a "stutter thing" and "jump" or stall. On higher gears it'll be fine, but it's not good for the car anyway. I liked to find the exact point in each car (I had no RPM meter) when I could just switch gears smoothly without even pushing the gear  | ||
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Dirkzor
Denmark1944 Posts
Do what people here have written and you'll be fine. Everything takes practice. =) | ||
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EnE
417 Posts
On August 24 2012 18:49 Dirkzor wrote: Always amusing that you americans learn to drive with automatic... Do what people here have written and you'll be fine. Everything takes practice. =) Yeah lol, if you can't drive a manual car, then you can't drive, I don't understand how you're qualified for a license without it, if you're not actually changing the gears. | ||
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HowitZer
United States1610 Posts
On August 24 2012 20:34 EnE wrote: Yeah lol, if you can't drive a manual car, then you can't drive, I don't understand how you're qualified for a license without it, if you're not actually changing the gears. Because 95%(my own estimate) of the cars in America are automatic. | ||
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HowitZer
United States1610 Posts
On August 24 2012 11:11 dabom88 wrote: Lent my brother my car to drive to the Bay Area to visit some friends at Berkeley, and he gave me his car to use, which is a stick shift. I think I've stalled it 10 times since in my first attempt to start the car and drive it down my block and back. And I can seemingly only move without stalling when riding the clutch, which I know is bad. Doesn't help that it was parked in my garage and I have to figure out how to reverse without stalling. I guess I'm just too afraid of stalling now to let go of the clutch. Doesn't help that my dad isn't home right now, and he's the only other person I know nearby who knows how to drive stick. Really scary, but I'm determined to figure this shit out. Watched a few youtube how-to videos, so I know how to do it, it just takes a lot of effort to learn. Anyone got any "general experience" advice from going from an automatic to a manual that might not be covered in a how-to? Relax all of the muscles in your legs and core before shifting. Feel your feet be relaxed. Then your legs will follow your unconscious desires to shift well a little better. Also think about your posture. Have a slightly arched back and flex your core a little while shifting. It's going to provide a good support for the movement. | ||
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MrASAP
United Kingdom63 Posts
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EnE
417 Posts
On August 24 2012 21:13 HowitZer wrote: Because 95%(my own estimate) of the cars in America are automatic. Very odd. I mean, 95% of flying is done on autopilot, but pilots are still required to know how to fly. | ||
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EPO
Canada341 Posts
On August 24 2012 22:02 EnE wrote: Very odd. I mean, 95% of flying is done on autopilot, but pilots are still required to know how to fly. That's kind of a stupid argument... lots of people go their entire lives without driving a manual, so why should they know? | ||
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Tobberoth
Sweden6375 Posts
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EnE
417 Posts
On August 24 2012 22:10 EPO wrote: That's kind of a stupid argument... lots of people go their entire lives without driving a manual, so why should they know? As would most pilots probably go their entire careers without needing their skills in a potentially life or death situation. I'd still require them for a pilots license, wouldn't you? I'm speaking as a European, so to me, driving a car means managing the steering wheel, pedals AND gears. | ||
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dabom88
United States3483 Posts
Still haven't quite mastered going onto my driveway, braking, waiting for the garage to open, and then going into first gear on my driveway, which is on an incline. | ||
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TiCHEN
Netherlands152 Posts
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