Driving Stick Shift..?

Question

Ok I have been driving my first stick car for about two days now, and I'm finally getting to the point where I can not stall out gong from a dead stop to first, however some times it is a little rough, but I still need some pointers on somethings.

For one it seems like most of the time when I'm going from first to second I get some kick back from the car(not smooth shift) the only thing I could think of is that maybe when I am letting off the clutch I'm not letting off fast enough. I try to not hit the gas until I am completely off the clutch but sometimes I let off the clutch so slowly that it happes. So I guess I'm worried about stalling out while switching from first to second from letting off the clutch to fast, is that possible?

Also when I go to work: I come off of a exit which leads down a road to a stop light, most of the time I don't need to stop at the light cause its normally green when I get to it, but instead of going straight I make the right hand turn. What I normally do is stay in fourth or fifth gear and just brake to make the turn then when I come out of the turn I put it into third and continue going. Is this ok to do? Is this going to hurt my transmission?

Also if there are any other tips you can give me beside the normal practice makes perfect that would be awesome. Also I don't know if I like the idea of downshifting to stop since it seems that it would be more wear on the transmission so I would rather use the brakes more and replace brake pads instead of a new transmission so no need to bring that up, unless you have a link that proves downshfting isn't that harmful to your transmission over time.

Thanks

Answer 1

let clutsch out slowly on start up, clutch and apply gas at same time shifting to 2nd, down shiftilng is what all the truckers do, so why  not you?

Answer 2

You never want to let out the clutch too fast....it is only your second day...you will get the feel of it and the motions will eventually become effortless.  To go around a corner or approaching a stop sign I always throw it is neutral and coast to a stop...and to go around do the same...coast and drop it into second...less wear and tear on your clutch and transmission.  That is an old myth....the less downshiffting...the less use of the clutch and transmission.  I have been driving a stick for a long time and I rarely ever downshift....never had a problem.  Good luck..give yourself time...you will get the hang of it....once you do...you will laugh at your worries :)

Answer 3

Lots of questions here.  I will try to be as informative as possible. I am giving you tips for beginners.

In paragraph 1, you say that your car jumps when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.  

It sounds to me like you are letting off the clutch too fast.  If you are not going fast enough, you should ease off the clutch while giving it a little gas (in any gear).  As a beginner, you should not come off the clutch completely before giving the car a little gas.  That will come with experience.

The other issue may be that you are not going fast enough when shifting.  About 3500 RPM in a specific gear is the right time to shift.

Paragraph 2 all depends on how fast your car is going and the gear ratio of your vehicle.  I have my own personal gauge on what gear I should be in depending on how fast I am going.  

If you are merging off of the highway and need to make a slight turn at 35mph-40mph then 3rd gear is typically ideal.

If I have to make a sharper turn at 15mpg to 20mph, then 2nd gear is better.

Being in a gear that is too high is not going to hurt your transmission unless the car is stalling or bucking.  It is just a hassle because it takes you so much longer to get up to the speed that the gear is designed to handle.

You can use your brakes instead of downshifting if you like.  After all, that is why they are on a car. I used to be the same way.  Now, I downshift all of the time.  

Downshifting to a stop does not hurt your transmission if you know how your gear ratios are aligned.  You don't want to shift your car into 2nd gear from 5th at 55 mph or you will have some serious issues. If you do it right, it is no problem on the tranny at all.  

For now, just worry about shifting smoothly.  The rest will come with experience.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Sounds like you've pretty much got it down. Answers that are given are also going to depend, slightly, on the type of car that you're driving.  As far as shifting from 1st to 2nd, you will have to just get used to the way your car shifts. If you got the starting down pat, then going from 1 to 2 shouldn't take long at all. Usually you have to give it a little gas when letting out the clutch.

I would also recommend down shifting if you're coming up to a turn. Even if you don't let out the clutch on each gear, your mind will get you in the habbit of shifting through all the gears, so you don't miss one sometime when you actually need it.

I agree that the downshifting would seem to cause more harm on your vehicle over time and that simply putting it in neutral and coasting to the stop would make more sense....that is what I did with my old car. It may also increase gas milage and prevent wear on the engine/transmission.

Sounds like you're doing well though, good luck.

Answer 5

Practice makes perfect when it comes to gears.

I have recently passed my test (UK) and the car I'm now driving is completely different to the one I learnt to drive in.

I found I had kick back and jumpyness when I was changing gear, one problem was that I was choosing a gear too low for the speed I was going at the time.

I would suggest trying a little less gas and quicker with the clutch but try different combos till you get it right.

As for the right hand turn, if it's a tight turn you probably want to be doing it in 2nd or 3rd not 4th or 5th!!!

Answer 6

You need to practice on useing the clutch and gas pedel together not one and then the other such as shifting as your clutch comes up you need to be pushin the gas will make things alot smoother. Down shifting does nothing to your transmission thats what you are suppose to do (unless you get the engine rpms way up then its hard on your engine valves) so remeber as your clutch comes up your gas pedel should be going down and down shift as much as you up shift  

Answer 7

Nah you won't stall if your moving. so you don't have to worry about letting the lutch go too fast for a 1st to 2nd gear shift. the only clutch fast slow thing you have to be careful is your initial moving when your in first. there it does make a difference. once your moving .. it doesn't.

the fourth/fifth gear then brake and switch it into third when your making the turn is what your supposed to be doing. =good.

don't shift down to try and slow down faster. you WILL ruin your transmission. if you need to stop THAT badly then pull up your handbreak.

(also) goodluck.

haha

Answer 8

There is an expression made popular of late...

it goes like this...

"Don't Drink and Drive"

Maybe you've heard this before...

well

It doesn't apply to you.

I think you need two shots of very strong liquor.

With lime and salt.

1) ride the clutch a little by easing off slower...step on the gas pedal a bit. It's a finesse thing and you'll catch on as you learn the engines friction point.

2) Downshift into the curve...you're using your engines natural deceleration against the torque to slow...

no it's not nearly as hard on the transmission as it is trying to pick up from 4th gear which is bad because it messes with the Valve tension trying to recover the lost torque - so your engine is fighting against the weight on the tires that you created by breaking.

3) Always downshift and slow to a stop.

Automatic transmissions do this automatically...you have a stick now and so you have to do the cars thinking for it.

If you don't do this, you'll not only ruin brakes, you'll ruin the engine.

AND it's terrible for gas mileage.

So in the end you're paying more money for gas, brakes and valves than you ever would for a transmission - which by the way is milled for that kind of torque....

If I had to show you a link on how to drive...I'm afraid I would also have to insult you. Downshift. I didn't say you have to like it - do it.

Or you'll ruin your cars engine.

  

Answer 9

You're doing everything right it just sounds like you need a little more practice. It just takes time. Every manual car drives differently too so when you get used to this one and drive a different one, it will take a few times to get used to it.