It's too hard for me to smoothly go from stop to first and first to second?

Question

The car jerks all the time, and I've been driving a stick since 1995 in three different cars. I think I'm actually getting worse! Lately I've been thinking: if I am damaging the transmission every time I depress the clutch, then I must be damaging it while stopped and in first with the clutch down, while shifting gears at all, while shifting to neutral before a turn or a stop, when the RPM goes over 3000, etc. I've always thought automatics were weak, but I don't even want to drive my stick anymore because I don't understand how to stop damaging the transmission every second of driving?

I just had the clutch, flywheel, etc. replaced at 31000 miles so I know it's not the car, it's me.

Answer 1

Some cars have better clutches than others . You may have a bad one. You are not damaging the transmission every time you depress the clutch. Get the clutch checked by a mechanic. If he says its OK, quit your worrying, I've always had a manual transmission and I've only had 1 clutch go bad in almost a million miles (but some were in sad shape) If you are driving in the city, an automatic is easier.

Answer 2

The clutch is wearing out, or the pilot bearing for the transmission might actually be seizing up. Even though you push the clutch in, the power from the crankshaft is actually not disengaged from the transmission because the bearing is locking or seizing to the input shaft of the transmission and it can grind the gears and cause damage to the transmission if left unrepaired. The other thing might possibly be the slave cylinder is weak or bad and the clutch master could be leaking. If the transmission is very hard to put into gear from a dead stop and wants to grind or even kills the engine get it checked by a pro right away before you have to buy a transmission too.

Answer 3

If you've been driving stick for 12 years you probably have it down by now. Sounds like your transmission or possibly clutch is the problem. Try driving a friend's newer car that is manual and see if you still have that problem.

Answer 4

I don't think it's your problem- I think it's the car's problem. I have a 1997 sable and when shifting gears I gotta tell you it's really funky. I'd take Sako's advice and try to shift on a newer car and see if the problem is there as well. If it is, there's probably something wrong in your timing but more than likely I think its just that your car is getting a bit old.

Answer 5

If you're that fearful for your clutch, try learning how to drive without using it. Of course you'll still need the clutch to take off from a dead stop, but you can actually shift gears without it if you are able to find out what rpm the engine should be at what speed, in which gear.

Example:
- Up-shifting:
Put the car in 1st gear and use the clutch to take off. Speed up to about 15-20mph. Almost simultaneously, lightly tap the gas and pull the knob out of gear. Do not force the knob, it should come out easily. If it doesn't, try again, this time tap the gas a little more. As soon as the knob comes out of neutral pull it down to 2nd gear (again do not force it). Gently hold it against the second gear position until it slips in. You might not get it on the first try, you may end up passing the synchronizer but not getting in the gear. If this happens pull it back into neutral, stop the car, and try again (or once in neutral press the clutch to shift into 2nd gear). Most cars have about a 1 second delay between 1st and 2nd gear, so you don't have to move the knob down to quickly, but if you move to slow you'll completely miss the 2nd gear synchronizer and will have to start over. It's best to try this in a parking lot where you'll be in nobody's way. Once you get the hang of 1st to 2nd try moving on to 2nd to 3rd, at higher speeds of course. If you manage to shift gears but the engine seems like it's struggling then try shifting from a higher speed or rpm. If you completely miss the synchronizer of the gear your trying to shift into, as long as the car is still moving at a speed within the desired gears speed range, you can still manage to get in that gear. Gently hold it against the gear position your aiming for and quickly tap the gas. As the rpm drops you should feel the gap in the synchronizer, if the knob doesn't automatically slip in gear.

- Down-shifting:
While in gear, lightly tap the gas and pull the knob into neutral (as described above). Gently hold the knob against the position of the gear your down-shiting to. As the car slows, either do to you stepping on the brake or loss of momentum, the shifter knob should eventually slip into gear. If you missed the synchronizer of the gear your trying to shift into, gently hold it against the gear position your aiming for and quickly tap the gas. As described above, As the rpm drops you should feel the gap in the synchronizer, if the knob doesn't automatically slip in gear. You can repeat this until the car slows down to the point of where the speed of the car is no longer in the gear's range. You can also use this as an engine brake.

Although you can time when to shift by judging what rpm the engine should be at, at the speed your going, for the gear your tying to shift into. I find It's simpler to just judge by feel and timing. If you practice you should get the hang of it pretty quick.

Also to ease your mind a little, keep the car in neutral while at a stop sign or stoplight. I usually pull the shifter out of gear and let it coast. Unless you try to force the knob in and out of gear it's pretty much harmless for your transmission. Most of my cars are older cars (early 80's) one of which is a manual with over 250,000 miles and over 2/3s of that were driving without the clutch. I've never had to replace the clutch or rebuild the transmission and it's still in perfect shape, though I do keep tight maintenance on it. This also works on newer cars, although it can be a bit more difficult, I do it all the time with my '97 Ford Ranger.

Answer 6

LOL.....If I were you, I'd stick to a automatic.