How to correctly drive an MT.
#271
#272
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You know, the car has as much to do with it as the driver. I have driven a standard since 1970. I still can't make a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd all the time in the G. However, in our new Honda Si Sedan, it's like butter. That is the easiest car to drive I have ever been in. Shifting is like second nature. It just flows from you hand and feet.
#273
Thanks for all the info. I am in the process right now of learning stick on my girlfriend's Tiburon until I am comfortable enough to buy my 6MT and drive it back home. Glad I found this thread because it explained a lot of things very cleary that I have been asking about.
So my biggest concern is the stop-and-go freeway traffic that I am going to have to deal with here in LA. Do you guys have any tips/techniques for driving in these conditions?
So my biggest concern is the stop-and-go freeway traffic that I am going to have to deal with here in LA. Do you guys have any tips/techniques for driving in these conditions?
#275
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Drifter2090 (07-16-2014)
#279
I mostly agree with the OP too (I forgot what I disagreed on since I was reading through all the posts lol).
Anyway, I'd like to add *SMOOTH* shifting (of the actual shifter!) Don't slam it, or smack it. The clutch engagement is pretty tall and you may experience yanking it out of gear.
I think the shifting from 1st to 2nd is a weight problem? I tried driving some Zs and didn't notice it nearly as much. My only suggestion is to smoothly let of the clutch and kind of feel the engagement before fully releasing.
IMO the reason why 1st to 2nd is so bad is because all the other gears are a breeze. On hill ascends I give it more gas before I even go into second, sometimes your driving habits have changed the clutch dimensions and behavior - so just like the OP said, adapt. You may need a higher RPM or can get away with a lower one.
When I had my original clutch + flywheel (this thing weighs a ton), I could engage as low as the hundreds of rpms. The key was to accelerate smoothly out. If you're going to pound the gas, then you should give more gas, but your timing is now more crucial for the engagement.
Anyway, I'd like to add *SMOOTH* shifting (of the actual shifter!) Don't slam it, or smack it. The clutch engagement is pretty tall and you may experience yanking it out of gear.
I think the shifting from 1st to 2nd is a weight problem? I tried driving some Zs and didn't notice it nearly as much. My only suggestion is to smoothly let of the clutch and kind of feel the engagement before fully releasing.
IMO the reason why 1st to 2nd is so bad is because all the other gears are a breeze. On hill ascends I give it more gas before I even go into second, sometimes your driving habits have changed the clutch dimensions and behavior - so just like the OP said, adapt. You may need a higher RPM or can get away with a lower one.
When I had my original clutch + flywheel (this thing weighs a ton), I could engage as low as the hundreds of rpms. The key was to accelerate smoothly out. If you're going to pound the gas, then you should give more gas, but your timing is now more crucial for the engagement.
#280
just kinda skimmed through this thread and very good info! a couple of questions tho,
1. do you HAVE to downshift..say your going 50mph and theres a turn coming up, can you just put it neutral and coast, then once you make the turn find the right gear or would it be better to downshift and rev match all the way?
2. when you rev match on a downshift, after you blip the gas, do you let the clutch out fast, slow, or medium?
1. do you HAVE to downshift..say your going 50mph and theres a turn coming up, can you just put it neutral and coast, then once you make the turn find the right gear or would it be better to downshift and rev match all the way?
2. when you rev match on a downshift, after you blip the gas, do you let the clutch out fast, slow, or medium?
#281
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just kinda skimmed through this thread and very good info! a couple of questions tho,
1. do you HAVE to downshift..say your going 50mph and theres a turn coming up, can you just put it neutral and coast, then once you make the turn find the right gear or would it be better to downshift and rev match all the way?
2. when you rev match on a downshift, after you blip the gas, do you let the clutch out fast, slow, or medium?
1. do you HAVE to downshift..say your going 50mph and theres a turn coming up, can you just put it neutral and coast, then once you make the turn find the right gear or would it be better to downshift and rev match all the way?
2. when you rev match on a downshift, after you blip the gas, do you let the clutch out fast, slow, or medium?
2) relatively fast, tho others may do it differently
#282
just kinda skimmed through this thread and very good info! a couple of questions tho,
1. do you HAVE to downshift..say your going 50mph and theres a turn coming up, can you just put it neutral and coast, then once you make the turn find the right gear or would it be better to downshift and rev match all the way?
2. when you rev match on a downshift, after you blip the gas, do you let the clutch out fast, slow, or medium?
1. do you HAVE to downshift..say your going 50mph and theres a turn coming up, can you just put it neutral and coast, then once you make the turn find the right gear or would it be better to downshift and rev match all the way?
2. when you rev match on a downshift, after you blip the gas, do you let the clutch out fast, slow, or medium?
I usually only put my foot down on the clutch enough where it's just past the engagement point, and I drop the pedal after I matched the revs. After first gear, the clutch pedal never touches the ground until I put the shifter back into neutral.
As for double clutching, while we do have synchros, they are a wear and tear part. Double clutching is great when you're starting to grind gears (because your synchros are worn), or even when your car is cold and have a hard time putting the shifter into gear (in which case, without double clutching, you may be putting your synchros through some abnormal wear).
Last edited by dofu; 06-29-2009 at 06:09 PM.