What are some good tips for smoothy driving a standard transmission car?

Question

I drive a 5-speed '87 Firebird T/A ... what should and shouldn't I do? What can I avoid doing (other than riding the clutch and grinding the gears) that will hurt the car? What CAN I do to make it a smoother ride? I have my on and off days ... some people tell me to press the clutch all the way down when shifting, others say to find the "catch point" or the sweet spot.

Help me out here.

Answer 1

Always push the clutch down all the way. It puts less stress on the gear synchronizers. Other than that, just practice. You'll learn how to adjust the engine speed when going to the next gear so that it is a smooth transition. good luck.