My first car was an auto and i drove it for about 1.5yrs then i got in a car crash from not paying attention and totaled it and now all we have is a manual car..my first night practicing with it i think i got a hang of shifting but i just could not get the starting up thing down..going from a stop to beginning to drive was so hard..it rolls around(either forward or backwards) before i get going and i would always seem to either accel too much or let go of the accel then stall..will i eventually get it? and will i still be able to mess with cds and my cell while driving a manual car?
2007-11-19 16:35:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
First of all you shouldn't be mess with cds and cell while driving any car.
Second...while stopped make sure you use your right foot for accelerator and brake and your left foot only for the clutch. Now when you are starting on relatively flat ground let the clutch out until the engine just starts to slow down, then take foot off the brake, give it a little gas and then continue to let out the clutch.
On a hill you can do the same thing if you are quick, just give it a little more gas. OR you can use the parking brake to hold the car until you give it more gas. then release the parking brake and let the clutch out at the same time.
2007-11-19 16:44:34 · answer #1 · answered by don_sv_az 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If you can not go from a stopped position without stalling or jerking, then you do not have the "hang of shifting" at all. Until you can accelerate smoothly from a stop on an uphill you do not have it.
Practice letting the clutch out slowly until it starts to engage. Give it a little gas and let the clutch out the rest of the way in one smooth motion. It is a skill acquired with practice and takes more than one night to learn. Over time shifting will become second nature and you will do it without thinking.
As for the cds, you should be able to mess with them to the same extent you did previously. The cell phone will be more difficult unless you have a hands-free phone. In stop and go traffic, the right hand will be needed to work the gearshift and will not always be free to hold a phone to your ear. Since as a good driver, I am sure you didn't use the cell phone when your attention should have been on the road, this should pose no hardship.
2007-11-19 17:17:16 · answer #2 · answered by MasterGoofy 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
You need to be lighter on the clutch, first gear is only to get you rolling once your in second your golden. It takes some practice just let out the clutch slower and keep your RPM's at about 1500-2000 or so then once you start rolling then let out the clutch more and more and then your set. Starting on hills are a trick, use more gas and less clutch when on a hill to compensate for the rolling and then take off like usual. it takes time it gets frustrating but you ll get it. when you are braking though always put your foot on the clutch. It stops way quicker and once you get the hang of down shifting you ll very rarely use alot of brake unless something quick happens. Good luck
2007-11-19 16:44:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anthony G 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You'll have it under control in no time. It just takes practice. Don't be affraid of it. Here are a couple tips: More gas is better than less gas, you can always hit the break (the worst thing that will happen is a stall), try driving by "sound"...just always keep the engine sounding the same, You can also drive by "feel"...smooth is good.
On that same note, there is the old military slogan: slow is smooth, smooth is fast...
You'll get it, don't worry.
2007-11-19 16:49:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
you will eventually get it the best thing you can ever do for a standard shift car though is not ride the clutch use it to get in gear and get your foot away from it,the slightest amount of riding it will cause it to have a shorter life span,we all had to learn that though that reminds me of my self when i was learning,many years ago i think i asked the same question to a friend of mine,and he told me the same thing I'm telling you,use the clutch only when needed,you,ll learn it though,it does take time,and you,ll be able to mess with your cd player also,good luck on it.
2007-11-19 16:50:12 · answer #5 · answered by dodge man 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
well first don't mess with things while u drive second stop in a parking lot and put ur car on neutral then put ur car in first gear...slowly let go off the clutch...I MEAN SLOWLY until u feel the car is vibrating and ur RPM drops a little...this is the point in which u have to press ur accelerator slowly of course...this is how i learned...in a while u'll get it easily and faster
2007-11-19 16:44:38 · answer #6 · answered by Stibby 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You'll get it. Takes time to get the hang of starting out. Don't stress out, makes it worse.
For the sake of those around you, please pay attention to your driving - you can kill someone if you're not careful.
I drive a race car, so I know what I'm doing as a driver - but talking on the cell while I'm driving really screws with my ability to pay attention to what I'm doing while driving.
2007-11-19 16:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by Tony D 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If you are more worried about your cell and CD's then why do you want to drive? Listen to your first sentence " I got into a car crash from not paying attention and totaled it" Well the phone and CD's contribute to NOT paying attention. My advice is to grow up first.
2007-11-19 16:40:20 · answer #8 · answered by hondab16tuner 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I was planning a serious answer with links to video instruction, but as soon as you asked about messing with cd and cell phone, I had one thought. You don't know how to drive, period.
Did you learn nothing from mashing up your first car?
Hire a chauffeur. You will live longer, and we might live as well as well.
2007-11-19 16:52:10 · answer #9 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋