I just bought a new Dodge Dakota, and to save a little money I got it with a manual transmission. I have taught myself to drive it pretty good. My question is this. I was told that I should not use the gas while my foot is on the cluch, except when starting out, because it will damage the cluch, but if I just let out on the cluch with out giving it gas the truck will jerk. Not the rock back and forth kind of jerk, but enough to make you move forward and backward in your seat alittle. It also make a clink noise when I do it that way. I was told that is normal, but I have found that if I slowly let out on the cluch while giving it gas the transtion is much smoother, but if I am damaging the cluch I don't want to do that. Which way is the correct way, or am I wrong on both fronts?
2007-06-16 04:27:19 · 9 answers · asked by MedicID39 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
you should definitely apply gas before letting out the clutch! to not do so is going to do more damage to the clutch plate! whoever told you this got it backwards...
your goal as a manual shifter is to make your passengers 'think' they are riding in an automatic - smooth shifting! you can help this along by using the gas pedal to get the engine revving to the appropriate speed, so that when the clutch engages the next gear, you minimize the slipping and jerking.
don't feel too worried if it takes a little while to get used to - clutch plates are fairly resilient.
eventually with experience you will learn what revs your engine needs to be at for which gear and the corresponding speed. both your feet will work together at that point.
good luck!
ps - once you get this down, in the short term, you'll save money on gas (automatics use gas to shift, and so get worse mileage). you'll also save money in the long run - cus your clutch might go out, and that's a bit expensive... but when an automatic transmission goes out - that's REALLY an expensive fix! manual tranny's last way longer, so keep up the good work!
2007-06-16 04:41:38 · answer #1 · answered by pizzaguy 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ah! Ha! I remember teaching myself to drive a stick shift. With time you will get better. It's all about timing. Timing lifting up on the clutch while pressing down on the gas. The way I taught myself was when I wasn't driving I would work on both feet at the same time so I could get the rhythm thing down. Then you won't jerk so much. Be smooth when you are giving it gas once your foot is all the way off the clutch. And remember. The more you practice, the less likely you will burn your clutch out. Don't rest your foot on the clutch either. I made that mistake, thinking my foot wasn't that heavy. Yep! I burnt my clutch out. Stick's really are fun and you have more control with them. I think. You'll see give it some time.
2007-06-16 04:35:01 · answer #2 · answered by Windy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It takes a bit of practice to get the timing of the gear shifting, clutch release and applying the accelerator after the shift. On gear one, if you release the clutch completely while applying the accelerator, the vehicle will shut off. Starting at gear one can be a bit jerky until you get the timing right. There you still have to keep the clutch down a bit while accelerating until you have to switch to gear two.
Check your owner's manual, which will tell you what gear should be used for what speeds. Also, if your vehicle has a tacometer, whatch the RPMs and make your gear change just before you reach 3000 RPMs. If not, you can also tell when the motor feels like it's reaching a peak RPM - that is when you should change gears.
For downshifting, as you let the vehicle slow down, shift to the lower gear when the motor starts to feels like it is logging.
2007-06-16 04:42:26 · answer #3 · answered by soccergeo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the newer vehicles very little increase in RPM is necessary to start out. On an incline, yes, slightly more RPM is required.
1. Make sure you are starting out in 1st gear, not 2nd.
2. To start on an incline keep your foot on the brake. Do not use the clutch to keep you from rolling backwards. When starting out keep your foot on the brake, release the clutch until you fell it start to grab, move from the brake to accelerator, accelerate slightly the same time you release the clutch the rest of the way.
PS the only vehicle where no increase in RPM is the diesel pickups. Simply let out the clutch & go. On a hill it's a timing thing, slightly release the clutch, feel it grab, slightly accelerate & go.
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2007-06-16 04:53:36 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It will jerk if you dont give it a little gas. I have been driving stick for almost 20 years and have never worn out or wrecked a clutch this way. I think whoever told you that was either an idiot, messing with you, or maybe you misunderstood what they told you.
2007-06-16 04:31:59 · answer #5 · answered by me_myself_&_eye 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You always use the gas as you let out the clutch. There should be no jerk at all. In fact it may be smoother than an automatic.
2007-06-16 04:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The trick is to get the truck moving using as little gas as possible.This prevents slipping the clutch unnecessarily.You're doing fine,just give it a little time.Clutches are designed to slip,that;s what they are made for.
2007-06-16 04:33:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though your an accomplished stick-shift driver now, see if this tutorial on how to drive a stick-shift has useful information:
http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp
2007-06-16 05:52:16 · answer #8 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only think i can think of is maby your lifting the clutch up 2 fast
2016-05-17 08:22:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋