Any realistic games to learn to drive stick? I have a Logitech G25 wheel

[KentState]

Find someone with a Civic. That is the easiest car to learn to drive on.

 

[mafia]

http://www.rigsofrods.com/ A free game for the computer, it has a clutch. Prolly the most realistic game with a clutch.

 

[LordMorpheus]

iRacing has a realistically modeled clutch, but it's limited by your equipment. You might be able to find a $$$$ (it would probably be cheaper to buy a beater car to learn on) system that gives realistic clutch feel, but on a G25 level wheel and pedal set, you won't feel anything like the clutch grabbing.

 

[nobb]

I have the G25 laying around so I figure if I can learn anything from it, why not. If you dont think anything can be learned, fair enough. From some of the replies here, it almost makes it sound like Im not willing to drive the real thing and that I have unrealistic expectations of being able to perfect driving stick just from a simulator. That is NOT the case. Quite frankly, I was pretty terrible on my first try so Im just trying to get whatever experience I can before heading out again, that's all.

Will probably try to find a cheap $100 beater to play around with in the next few weeks, but it might snow here soon so I dont necessarily want to jump into that right away. Would actually prefer to pay someone on kijiji to rent out their beater car for a day or two, but Im not sure what the legalities would be for that.

 

[Throckmorton]

I'm guessing the problem you had was with the clutch engagement, which a game can't teach. I'd be concerned about the G25 teaching you to shift the WRONG way, since you can't feel the clutch and I assume games read it as either clutch-in or clutch-out.

If you're buying a car and can't decide whether you want a manual, just go with the manual. Don't second guess. You'll learn it.

I bought a manual 240sx before learning how to drive it. My dad was teaching me, but I was too nervous and kept stalling. After a couple days I went out on my own and finally got the hang of it. It's easier without pressure.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

If any game will have it, it would be GT5. I'd hope the G29 will have a realistic clutch feel but that's a dream.

you couldn't stall a car in GT5P, so unless that's been changed, the answer is not GT5.
GTR2 on the other hand...

 

[jlee]

I'm guessing the problem you had was with the clutch engagement, which a game can't teach. I'd be concerned about the G25 teaching you to shift the WRONG way, since you can't feel the clutch and I assume games read it as either clutch-in or clutch-out.

If you're buying a car and can't decide whether you want a manual, just go with the manual. Don't second guess. You'll learn it.

I bought a manual 240sx before learning how to drive it. My dad was teaching me, but I was too nervous and kept stalling. After a couple days I went out on my own and finally got the hang of it. It's easier without pressure.

It's an analog pedal, just like the gas/brake...not sure why everyone keeps thinking it's an on/off switch.

I know with GTR2, the clutch calibration has a slider thing just like steering, throttle and brake do.

 

[Throckmorton]

It's an analog pedal, just like the gas/brake...not sure why everyone keeps thinking it's an on/off switch.

I know with GTR2, the clutch calibration has a slider thing just like steering, throttle and brake do.

Which games support it though?

You still end up missing the tactile feel of it.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I have the G25 laying around so I figure if I can learn anything from it, why not. If you dont think anything can be learned, fair enough. From some of the replies here, it almost makes it sound like Im not willing to drive the real thing and that I have unrealistic expectations of being able to perfect driving stick just from a simulator. That is NOT the case. Quite frankly, I was pretty terrible on my first try so Im just trying to get whatever experience I can before heading out again, that's all.

Will probably try to find a cheap $100 beater to play around with in the next few weeks, but it might snow here soon so I dont necessarily want to jump into that right away. Would actually prefer to pay someone on kijiji to rent out their beater car for a day or two, but Im not sure what the legalities would be for that.

Well, not a bad idea, but it wont help. You need to drive a real car partly to learn but also to build up confidence. The reason you dont want to go out again in a real car is simply lack of confidence - everyone gets it when they first start driving.

But you need to persevere until you have gained the skills and confidence you need. Thats the only way to learn.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Dude. Borrow a car and practise with that. Driving a manual requires more coordination than a few video tutorials can give. You need to actually be doing it.

 

[jlee]

Which games support it though?

You still end up missing the tactile feel of it.

Oh certainly...it can't compare to a real car. As for games, GTR2, Race 07, and probably rFactor and Live for Speed.

OP - drive to NH and visit me...I would bet cash money I'd have you driving well enough to get by in about half an hour. I am 5 for 5 so far.

 

[P3bbl3]

That's funny how I taught myself with my G25 in a game called Live for Speed (lfs.net) and the first time i got in a manual car I had almost no problem at all, I knew about variable clutch pressure and when to push the gas and when to fully release the clutch, stalled 3 times, and on the 4th time we were off, and didn't stall it again for the length of the test drive.
The substitute would be LFS and a G25. Works wonders.

You'll never replicate the feel of the clutch engaging on any computer game pedals, analog or not. And then there's the feel of the car, engine sound/feel as it lugs or not, etc.

The only way to learn to drive a clutch is practice with a real vehicle. No substitute.

 

[alkemyst]

None will give you the feedback you'll feel, and I don't think there will be any that stall the car or make it jump when you screw up. Don't even try and learn on the PC. Get a friend that has a stick, get them to teach you. Or get one that knows how to drive it, go rent one if they won't let you drive theirs, let them get it off the lot and teach you.

Make sure you are covered as a separate driver in this unless your friend is willing to eat any accident on his dime.

There are many PC games good for 'steering feel' however; the clutch/shift part is too intimate to duplicate realistically.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Had to double-check that this is ATG because this thread is begging for lame parodies.

And you can't learn much about driving a manual without driving a manual. You want to get in a (preferably underpowered) car, learn to start/stop/shift to second gear in a parking lot, and then go for a tour.

To become a good manual driver, you need to feel and listen to the car. It will tell you what to do.

 

[Ferzerp]

I learned in a trial by fire 10 mile trip in an I4 s10 with little to no instruction beforehand (and was alone in the pickup). That was an interesting little trip. Lots of red lights too.

edit: think in the 30 lbs/hp range.....

 

[calvie]

You will learn more about driving a manual on Youtube video than playing a video game.

My #1 advice is to make sure you have your foot on the GAS (1000-1200rpm) before you release the clutch.
The car CAN NOT stall if you are on the gas. Most people release the clutch too fast/too much and not enough gas...thus stalls the car.

 

[amdhunter]

LOL! Back in 2001 we practiced using Midtown Madness and a steering wheel (don't recall the brand, but it was expensive.)

Believe it or not, it actually helped.

 

[IcePickFreak]

What's that smell?

It's the tires, I swear! :awe:


I was going to say GTR2 as well. If you do a little looking you can find some good configs (modding ini or the like iirc) for controls that make them quite a bit better.

 

[TheHashmaster]

OP,

i was in a similar situation to urself. i have a g27 and i bought GT5. although u can stall a car in the game, using the clutch isnt so great. its very easy to misshift and go into neutral bc u were a little on the gas while shifting. in GT5, u cannot be on the gas while shifting, not even a little bit. if u are, u go straight to neutral. other than that its pretty good. oh, and u cant slip the clutch in the game. i mean u kinda can, but its nothing like a real car.


the game does teach u proper driving technique. how to hit an apex, taking a turn, when to brake, etc. (and its been proven by the amount of professional drivers that use GT5). but if u really want to learn stick, u should do so in a car.

push down on the clutch, put it in first, slowly start to let out the clutch until u feel the engine start to bog down, then smoothly but quickly apply gas, once u start moving, let the rest of the clutch up.

 

[exdeath]

It's the tires, I swear! :awe:


I was going to say GTR2 as well. If you do a little looking you can find some good configs (modding ini or the like iirc) for controls that make them quite a bit better.

Ahahahaha stereotypical polo shirt and "Just for Men" hair even.

Lucky it's a push rod GM car, couldn't have hurt anything but a "consumable maintenance item" for <= $1000.

 

[sandorski]

Everybody starts out crappy on a Manual. Just use the real thing and learn how to do it.

 

[KIAman]

Unfortunately, you will only learn from a car. Not only that, every car has a different feel for the clutch and shifter.

Just some simple tips

There is a point on the clutch that will begin to "grab." You can test this easily by keeping the car in 1st gear and keeping your foot off the gas and while your car is idling, slowly let the clutch up until you see the rpms drop slightly and the car wanting to move forward a tiny bit.

Once you get used to the engagement point, this is where you want to give your car a little gas then you are good to go.

When first learning, you can take your time in this "grab" zone which will slip your clutch to make smooth acceleration and when you become an expert, you can can hit the gas and release the clutch for minimal slip.

 

[NutBucket]

Midtown Madness

Man, that brings back memories!

 

[felang]

Unfortunately, you will only learn from a car. Not only that, every car has a different feel for the clutch and shifter.

Just some simple tips

There is a point on the clutch that will begin to "grab." You can test this easily by keeping the car in 1st gear and keeping your foot off the gas and while your car is idling, slowly let the clutch up until you see the rpms drop slightly and the car wanting to move forward a tiny bit.

Once you get used to the engagement point, this is where you want to give your car a little gas then you are good to go.

When first learning, you can take your time in this "grab" zone which will slip your clutch to make smooth acceleration and when you become an expert, you can can hit the gas and release the clutch for minimal slip.

Exactly

 

[exdeath]

For more fun, try a clutch that does NOT slip, and learn to bring the throttle up while pulse width modulating the clutch with your foot :awe: