Being stuck driving an automatic in my previous two cars made me want to purchase a manual G35 Coupe… even though I did not know how to drive one. The sales rep was nice enough to teach me enough for me to drive the car home and I have been practicing in it for the last week. Here are my questions.

1) What RPM do you guys normally shift gears? I was shifting at 3000 RPM but was told to shift at 3500RPM.
2) I read in a previous tread (although I can’t find it anymore) about trouble shifting to second. I am also having the same problem. My second shift is very jerky.
3) Would any of you mind describing to me how you drive your manual G35?

Thanks!

[img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img] Love my Black on Black G35 Coupe! [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

It's just really the modulation of your left leg. My cousin gets pissed when I can do the 1-2 shift smoothly without thinking.

It's hard to explain, but it's trial and error, and you'll get it eventually.

 

You can't really pinpoint a certain RPM to shift. It totally depends on how you're accelerating. Just practice and you'll be driving smooth in no time!

6MT.net - G35 Community
2003 G35 Coupe 6-speed

 

This was my first manual shift car ever but I manage to drove it home after stalling couple of times out of the dealer, anyway I had same problem its very jerky in second but I found out that I was releasing the clutch a little quicker than it should, try to release the clutch very slowly and you will be fine..

 

I don't have any problem with going into second. I guess i've just got skillz [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]. I usually shift around 3k. I'm still babying it for the first 1k miles..only 700 more to go...and that's after a week.. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

SPIRITRACING@AOL.COM
<font color=red>@@.:':.:':.EAT MY DUST.:':.:':.@@</font color=red>

 

When I ordered my manual coupe in Oct I had no idea how to drive a stick. Took driving lessons (after 30 years of driving) for 2 hours and rented a Civic (well used) for a month. You'll get smoother... got my coupe 2 weeks ago and I'm getting better. What a diff compared to the Civic! Still not as fast at shifting as I'd like - all those automatics accelerate faster than me! Good luck...

 

yeah like everyone said...let go of the clutch slowly, also, DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH...very important...when slowing down to a red light, simply put in neutral and let go of the clutch and just do some mild to medium braking...do not downshift for it abuses the clutch even more (especially for those who are new at it) and its pretty dam expensive to repair a worn clutch... remember...a clutch is like a brake pad..it wears out, gets thinner and thinner (but only if you abuse it or mess up alot)
good luck and happy clutching!

<font color=blue>-Rambo</font color=blue>
All your base are belong to us!

 

but if you hafta downshift for a turn which you have to approach slowly, try double-clutching i.e. a little brake - step on clutch - shift into neutral - brake while letting go of clutch - step on clutch - rev 3 to 5 hundred rpm while downshifting - engage clutch...... that way your speed and rpm matches up and won't put too much strain on the clutch.... keep practicing and maybe you'll even get to the point where you can heel-and-toe into a corner.... ^_^

 

Double-clutching is not necessary in modern synchro transmissions.

Rev-matching for a downshift is a good idea in order to not upset the attitude of the car, as well as to save the clutch from wear and tear (and you don't have to heel and toe to do this moderately).

-Alt

 

I know I know... heel-and-toeing is just cool-looking and a little bit faster, something about Initial D that got me hooked..... he he

as of double-clutching not necessary.... well, I keep on hearing both sides of arguement and I can't really be sure... so I just do it anyways..... you get used to it in such a short time so why not?

 

My trusted mechanic who's done tons of clutch replacements had emailed me about how to properly use the clutch to maximize its life. Here's what he had to say:

"The simple way I teach my customers to get max life. If you can just remember one thing - the clutch only wears while the pedal is moving. The faster you get the clutch pedal off the floor and to 'rest' position, the less life you have used up. If you slide the pedal nice and easy, with plenty of matching throttle movement also nice and easy, you are EATING your clutch. Many people think that if the car moves away from a stop so nice and easy that you could hold a full glass of wine, this is a good thing. This is the worst thing. If the car jerks slightly because you moved the car away from a start nice and quick, this is as close to zero wear as it gets. The majority of clutch wear occurs when moving the car from a stop, so practice this most.

Changing gears should be instant, or as close to instant as you can get. You should practice matching rpms to road speed to the point where taking your foot off the pedal really quickly should cause no discernable change in the cars momentum. If your passenger can not tell when your foot comes off the pedal, you have maximized clutch life."

 

Thanks for such a detailed explanation. This is helpful!

[img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img] Love my Black on Black G35 Coupe! [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

I found out about this when I went home, shifting very quickly and let go of the clutch quickly as it go down to like 1500 rpm seems to be a very smooth shift...

 

but doesn't it take a lot of practice to engage the clutch quickly while keeping the car relatively jerk-free from a stop??? I don't seem to be able to do that.... maybe you just have to know the clutch's point of engagment that you can pop your clutch to that point without thinking about it.... <sigh>... I'll live with a couple more clutches than having to put up with jerky rides.... ^_^

 

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I found out about this when I went home, shifting very quickly and let go of the clutch quickly as it go down to like 1500 rpm seems to be a very smooth shift...

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Is this a first to second gear transition?

[img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img] Love my Black on Black G35 Coupe! [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]