Manual transmission?

Question

I just got a brand new sti and Ive been driving automatic as long as Ivehad my license(2 years). My dad is planning to teach me tomorrow, but Im afraid of dumping the clutch and ruining the transmission. Any advice?!

Answer 1

You have only a few things to keep in mind when driving stick:

1) The clutch should be in or out, never hold it "half-way" for extended periods. This will burn up the clutch rather quickly.

2) The clutch has to be IN to shift, and OUT to move. Never shift with the clutch not all the way in. And never let the clutch out until you have finished shifting.

3) Dumping the clutch with high RPMs is hard on the transmission and transfer case and axles. Dumping the clutch at low RPMs will cause the car to stall.

4) If the car starts to buck (jerk forward and back) when the clutch is all the way out, just give it more gas. This will smooth out the ride. Be careful not to run into anything!

There are two techniques for learning to drive stick:

1) The "Burn the Clutch Up, They're Cheap" method. In this method you rev the engine high enough not to stall the motor, and let the clutch out slowly. You will be able to get a smooth start, though it may sound a little funny. This method can cause some people to get stressed out (this would be your Dad). But, the wear on the clutch shouldn't have a significant impact on the life of the clutch (you may have to replace it a month earlier, over a clutch life of a couple of years that's not much.) After a while, you will get the hang of how much gas goes with how much clutch.

2) The "Use the Force" method. In this method you apply zero gas, and "feel" the clutch as you let it out slowly. You should be able to tell when the clutch starts to grab (the car will just start to move). At this point you hold the clutch where it is for a second or two as the car starts to move faster (not fast, but faster than stopped), then let the clutch out all the way. With this method you will learn to feel the clutch better, and eventually be able to match gas and clutch.

Either is a good method of learning.

I have driven stick my entire life (25 years of driving), and prefer it over automatic.

Good luck, and relax and enjoy the new car!

Answer 2

The first time you release the clutch and hit the gas.... release the clutch slowly. As you release it, you will feel the car start to "tug" forward. It's at this point that you will learn to push the gas and let off the clutch. Getting into first is the hardest part for a beginner. After that it's pretty easy!

Otherwise, I think you'll love driving a manual. You won't ruin the clutch the first time, so don't worry about that. Oh, and if in the next few years the clutch assembly is messed up, don't worry. It's a lot cheaper to fix than an automatic transmission!

Answer 3

Learning To Drive A Standard Is Like Learning To Ride A Bike. Scary At 1st Then Once You Get Going It's Easy. Only Adice Really Is Just Pay Attention To The Engine RPM's To Learn When To Shift. Also Remember Nice Smooth Shifting Dont Jerk It Into Gear. Clutch Pedal All The Way Down And Nice Smooth Gear Changing.

Answer 4

Don't get nervous or excited. Try to take things in stride. Your Dad and you know you're going to make mistakes. So don't worry about it.

Just give it a little gas, and then hold it there, then let out on the clutch slowly until you feel it start to grab. The car will start rolling slowly forward, now let out the clutch a little, and I mean a little more faster.

It is all a matter of feel. It is a routine, you have to learn. It will take practice. The most important thing I can say is don't get bugged if you dump the clutch and kill the engine. It is going to happen, don't let it upset you. good luck.

Answer 5

Simple enough, Don't ride the pedal, with practice you'll be able to gain confidence that your gear is fully engaged. The clutch and the brake need to be worked together. If you brake at low speed without opening the clutch you will stall. It takes time to get a feel for it. It's real driving. You are the master of the machine and must always be so if you want to qualify. Whatever your Dad says is right if he knows how to drive it himself! Shut-up and listen. Easy does it is the rule!

Answer 6

Its as much as you as there are a mass of relaxing computerized form autos available as nicely as instruction manual,the problem is human beings see the call computerized and yet have had no or little adventure with them and don't appriciate the very incontrovertible fact that automatics are available in a mass of varieties which could be a techniques from putting a motor vehicle in d and then going. in lots of situations motor vehicle makers locate an computerized form container greater proper suits there automobiles and we discover automobiles like the Buggati Veryron and the Ferrari Enzo etc with an computerized form setup and this even is going all the way down to greater low-cost fashions of automobiles. So truly the respond is what suits your desires and suits that motor vehicle greater proper as in basic terms considering that's provided in a instruction manual form does not make it greater proper.

Answer 7

Just remember to keep your foot planted firmly on the clutch and let it out slowly. Then take your foot off the clutch till time to shift and do it all over again. It's easy! Manuals get better mileage.

Answer 8

hold in the clutch and have a little gas on the pedal and slowly ease out the clutch and gradually put more gas on it

Answer 9

the tranny will not be ruined unless you mess up on the gears , like putting it in first while going 60 mph ... or reverse or whatever , however , learning on a manual tranny will just make the clutch go bad a lil bit faster , and u can just change it after you master shifting

Answer 10

Dude, your getting an STI and you don't even know how to drive stick. Thats a waste of a good car.