Driven thousands of miles in my G already and still don't have consistency with 1st gear. Occasionally I get it just right and I pull off in that sweet spot. Not too aggressive(no surge), not too girly(roll like you are inches from another car), but just right. Any suggestions or tips on how to do this all the time or atleast most times?

Other gears are fine, it's just 1st. Too be clear, I CAN start smoothly almost every time, but that would mean annoying any impatient drivers behind me. When I get it right, I move with authority. Not like there is a fire or like I'm "racing" a kid running on the sidewalk next to me.

2007 G35 6MT

 

Okay, so I have a 05 6MT Coupe. And in June 2010, my clutch was slipping, so I had it replaced with the Exedy OEM Clutch + ACT Streetlite Flywheel.

Everything was great, but the only problem I had was after a few weeks of the replacement the clutch always got stuck to the floor which then burnt the clutch (because I could smell it) when I am driving in traffic and when the weather is hot. So I took it back to the dealership and they release the air in the valves and it never happened again.

So then a few days ago, I took my car back to the dealership for an engine replacement (Oil Consumption problem), then they called me and told me that my clutch needs replacement soon, but not soon maybe few more months. So I was like, WHAT? no way because its only been 6months since I got it replaced.

I don't think that it is my driving habits, because I never ride the clutch or anything, and I never do hard launches or race people, and whenever I downshift I always "REV-match". So I was just wondering if you guys know what my problem is, how come I need a clutch replacement so fast, am I doing something wrong?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, Thankss

 

^How much do you slip the clutch when you take off from a stop?
You can over-do it and kill the life of a clutch, though <6 months does seem really bad.
Might also consider that the sticking problem wasn't exactly good on it.
Also also might consider the dealership could be trying to take you for a ride.

 

I think the damage was done when you smelled it.

 

i had this problem even after my dad taught me to drive in his old honda accord. but he gave me this final advice: when launching from a stop, hold the rpms at about 2k(try not to go over) and gradually/smoothly let out the clutch and it should dip to about 1.2k. from then on your good to go! i found that this always worked for me when im in doubt =). then once you get that down you can narrow it down a bit to stay under 2k and above 1k by the time the shifting is complete.

so heres the breakdown: 1)clutch in 2) first gear 3) press and hold throttle down to keep rpm at 2k 4)gradually/smoothly release the clutch until everythign is sychronized but keep your right foot in the same spot DO NOT add or remove presser on the gas pedal.

i know this isnt the best way but its a good start. from then on narrow it down to less time and lower than 2k rpm

 

If I wanted to work my flywheel/clutch I'd hold the RPMs at 2K...

 

Definitely some good info in here. I have been daily driving a mt for about a year now, this was my first mt car, and it definitely just takes time to get to know how your car reacts to how it want's you to shift and when.

Every time I get in another mt car it takes me a second to get used to the engagement point and how the car feels to shift. Every car has a slightly different feel

 

x2..thats pretty high rpm to be starting off at

 

okay okay your right, i learned to drive in a 1988 4 cylinder so 2k wasnt bad. but im just giving him a place to start with no way of failing, rpms will drop to the right area. but like i said, work from there and work on narrowing it down.

 

It's not hard to hold at 1,200 RPMs and release the clutch. If you guys are having trouble finding an engagement point, I'd check your rear wheel bearings!!!!!

 

That's a Happy Family right there haha

 

I drive a Standard Ford Explorer, so I don't know how much difference there is, but I find it very hard to "guess" and get the exact RPM rev match when downshifting. Too low, or too high above the RPM sweet spot will jerk your transmission.

I can do the calculation of the gear ratios in my head and then try to figure out what rpm it is i need to be in, but that kinda sucks...

Any pointers?

 

^I have only three tips.

Practice practice practice.

 

I'll give that a shot. I just really wish I knew what I do when I get it perfect. It just seems that randomly I will start off perfectly. Thing is that is not happening more and more. It's just as random as it's always been.

The Lotus Evora weighs a bit less but has 200HP and with that setup I was shifting BRAND new like a pro. MUCH better than I've ever done in the G, but maybe that is because it does not have the same torque.

 

Hey guys, so is the consensus in here that we should use the hand brake when stopped and then taking off on an incline?

I've heard from some people that you have to learn to take off from a hill on your own without the handbrake, just clutch and gas?