Driving a Manual Transmission?

Question

I've been driving manuals since I first learned to drive, but they were all old rear wheel drive trucks, small front wheel drive cars or in 4x4 (I live in snow country).

Today I test drove a manual 2008 All Wheel Drive Subaru Impreza 2.5i for about 15 minutes. The clutch felt so much different and it was very nerve racking. I couldn't get it to smoothly shift for me and I felt like an idiot.

Do the clutches feel different in an AWD vs. RWD?

Can anyone give me tips so when I test drive the car again I won't be so frustrated? Is it normal to be unable to smoothly shift a new car right off the bat?

Answer 1

Soggy,

   AWD versus RWD doesn't feel significantly different.  My last car was AWD, and my current car is RWD, and both are manual transmissions.   I had a 4x4 comanche pickup until last year as well.  It shifted differently too.  

   Bottom line - there's a huge variation in the way different cars and trucks shift.  So huge, that you were probably used to one type, maybe a good solid spring and feel, and maybe the subaru had a soft clutch.  That's my guess.  It may also have had a very short throw.  That's just something you get used to.  I had one like that - very short throw,  dual-friction clutch that would grab immediately.   It's common in cars that are "sporty" or performance.   Trust me when I say you'd get used to it in a couple of days of driving it around.  What you don't get used to is clutching like a maniac in heavy stop and go traffic or in a super hilly city like Seattle or SF.  

Philosophy aside - the way to get used to it is - let the clutch out really slow.  When it starts to grab, remember that certain spot.  Keep it in mind.  Don't worry about the rest of the throw in the pedal. It's irrelevant.  If it's a grabby clutch, give it extra gas when you are letting it out.  Cars jerk when shifted if the speed in the gears and the clutch don't match the speed at which the engine is turning.  Experiment with it, and you'll discover the 'sweet spot' at which you can shift with no jerking at all, even on the grabbiest clutch.

-Kevin

Answer 2

I find that driving a new car with a manual transmission, it takes a bit of time to discover where the friction zone (the area where the clutch starts to engage) is. After you've been at it for a while it will come right back to you

Answer 3

Torrent is right in my opinion.  I learned to drive with manuals, and I have owned a few, and each one was completely different and seemed to possess a mind of it's own.  If you did like it, just test drive it again a few times, until you get the feel for that particular vehicle.  That is what I did with my last car, and I'll never regret it.  It has been the best one that I've ever owned.  At the moment I am trying to talk my father in-law into selling his pickup to me because it only took me one-time behind the wheel and I automatically had the feel for it since it is the same year and model that I first learned on even though it's been nearly 15 years since I've driven one like it.

And we all have our bad days, don't feel embaressed.  I watched one of the employees at a local dealership rip a tranny out on a lot yesterday....yep, the customer was NOT happy.

Answer 4

i think manual should feel the same no matter what type of car it is, i think its just becuase u haven't done it in so long it felt like doing something for the first time. a tip: stay calm no matter what. i think since the car is new and everything just got fitted, it takes some time for the machinery to adjust into place

Answer 5

Any time u switch vehicles its gonna feel different... all mine are manual. I can go down the road in my truck, come back and get in my jeep and it feels totally different. different clutches have different catching points, some shift patterns can be tighter and shorter and the way the car is geared has some impact on the way it shifts. jus takes a little time to get use to... good luck

Answer 6

Subarus are tricky. It takes some time to learn them. I'd seriously recommend renting one for like 3 days and just really master all the tips and tricks about the car. I've found that AWD and RWD feels the same with a Manual Gearbox. I've learned that a weird clutch feel also depends on seating position. While just sitting in your car, push the clutch in with your left foot and try shifting through the gears. If it feels comfortable, and it feels like something you can do on the road, than you've found your driving position. If it feels unnatural or uncomfortable, then try adjusting the seat some more until everything feels "right". You'll know when you get it.

Answer 7

I think it was probably the first time you drove a WRX.  Subarus and VW feel different when you first drive them.  I learned how to drive stick on a Mazda Speed and drove it for 5 years, then bought a WRX, it took some adjusting.