1.How do you know when your clutch is going bad?

2.How do you know if you have a bad transmission?
-I have a 2004 thats 3 weeks old with 800 miles. I have to be extra easy (slow) when I release the clutch from 1 to 2nd gear. If I dont the car jerks forward. I am thinking that the car is jerking forward b/c I am shifting too low on the RPM band when shifting form 1 to 2. I dont have this jerking problem after 2 gear. When I want to reverse I have to release the clutch at 2k RPM if I dont the car stalls. Is this normal?

3.I know you are suppose to listen to the engine, but what RPM should you shift at to get smoove acc through all the gears?

4.What RPM should you shift at if you were racing (at the track ? I am thinking 6k or 6.5k since that is around red line.

5.Can anyone explain what happends when you press the clutch and release it while change gears? I know it may sound like a stupid question for someone who owns a MT car, but I want to know the mechanics of whats going on when I change the gears? PLEASE DONT FLAME ME.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT-BS/BLK-Full Aero-Navi (brought)
1997 BMW 540ia M5 Bumper with Angle Eyes (sold)

 

http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=Clutches
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission5.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm

It is cool that you have a manual tranny, it is un-cool that you didn't get an old rear drive beater to learn how to drive one first.

But good luck, this is alotta car to learn with.


JD
2003.5 Coupe, Blk/Blk <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by jdking on 12/05/03 09:24 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

THANKS, jdking. The links were very helpfull.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT-BS/BLK-Full Aero-Navi (brought)
1997 BMW 540ia M5 Bumper with Angle Eyes (sold)

 

You're welcome.
Just be careful in the slippery stuff.
I think it is a good idea to go to a big empty parking lot in the rain, turn off the VDC and try to make the car fishtail, and spin it out. This way you can get a feeling for how your car feels and also get an understanding of just how powerful it is.

You should also seek out autocross events in your area, these are unmatched in learning car control in a safe environment.

Good luck.

JD

JD
2003.5 Coupe, Blk/Blk

 

A small bit of advice from someone who is only a month ahead of you on the learning curve...

Your left foot and brain need to memorize the engagement point of the clutch. Meaning, the exact point to where you must lift/pivot your left foot such that the car begins to move forward.

In the G35 in a flat parking lot with the air/heater on, you should be able to release the clutch slowly enough that the car will move forward without requiring ANY gas. Practicing this will help you memorize the point at which you begin applying the gas (i.e. the same point at which the clutch engages).

Easy enough to explain--hard to memorize.

--Steve

 

One other tip... Take a friend with you as a passenger and watch his/her head bob as you shift gears. Practice different shift points and watch the effect on your friend's head

It's hard to learn to be smooth all on your own because your brain knows when the shift is coming and can relay the message to your neck muscles.

--Steve

 

Someone teach this kid how to drive stick please!

Definately not the car, especially since you're describing what happens with a newb (*hack hack) behind the wheel! Learn to be smooth with both right and left feet. I just tought my gf in about one day how to drive stick and she only stalled it 3 times. Mainly because I just kept reinforcing the fact that you have to be consistant with the clutch and gas pedal. Most newbs get off the gas or on the gas hard as soon as the clutch is out, which is why they drive real jerky, once you learn to control both feet and your hands, you'll be fine.

To have smooth shifts, when you're about to shift, lift off the gas a little, clutch in, shift, clutch out (smoothly and quickly before it drops more than 500 rpms), then back on the gas smoooooothl!

A smooth start is done mainly by keeping rpms constant, then slowly letting out the clutch until fully out, then accelerating. If you're stepping on the gas while still letting the clutch out, your passengers will continue to hate you.

Good luck and enjoy your PERFECTLY fine car!

- Balzac(I swear, it was the car, not me)72

03.5 6spd DG/G aero pk/kit + Hyper Grounded
FX35 Blk/Brick Tech pkg
He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.

 

"One other tip... Take a friend with you as a passenger and watch his/her head bob as you shift gears. Practice different shift points and watch the effect on your friend's head "

...I bought a bobblehead 4 that =P hehe...

...I've just sort of just begun to learn stick on this car as well. So far so good (No more stalling!! hehe, well not unless my gf is complaining about getting a headaches and messing with every little button every second..). Everyone gave me alot of information about working the clutch, so you might want to go back a few pages and look for that post.. it was something like i'm and idiot for getting a stick or something... (I dun think so nemore!!)

Neways, just keep in there, and you'll get it pretty easily... I think I can only give you one tip though seeing as how I'm no expert since I'm still learning... just keep calm, don't get excited and don't think too much... I just think Vrrooom Vrroomm n then *shrugs* Nevermind I have no idea how to explain how i'm thinking when i drive... lolz.. I'll be quiet now... =x