• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Best way to learn a manual trans

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.



<< Couldn't you just leave it in first and hold the brakes when in that situation? >>



You'd still have to shift your right foot from the breaks to the gas pedal, in which time u would roll back some
 
Just go to a car dealership. Tell them you are interested in this car, but can't drive a stick. They will be all over you to teach you how in their car.

Wax - Zaino, although it's a polish.
 
get a friend to loan you his used honda...and 1st is the hardest to get into...every other is pretty easy...

just remember,....when you brake...use the clutch too...or else you will stall....(not fun)

 
Dude your getting a Camaro SS 6-sp and you havent drove a Manual before!! 😀 wow
 
Last edited:
Go test drive a Civic before you pick up the car. Always better to mess up someone else's car than your own 🙂

I learned by driving a buddy's car around a Sam's club parking lot a couple times.. Really isn't too hard to figure out. 1-2 shift is supposed to be the toughest, but I got it down quickly. Starting off (going forward) was the hardest part for me. I'd either stall it or burn the clutch about 70% of the time until I finally figure it out. Still had some trouble on hills, that takes a little more practice. For some reason, I was able to figure out backing up the very first time I tried it. Dunno why, but it just came easier than going forward.

When I was on the highway the first time, I tried a 5-4 downshift, and had the car in 2nd at 60mph. Vroooooooom... woops. Quickly pushed the clutch in. If I had been going much faster I coulda really screwed up his car. Seems that the shifters have centering springs that will pull the stick back into the middle of 3-4 when you come out of 1,2, or 5. Didn't know that, so I tried pushing the shifter over to the left more than I needed to. Just something to be aware of I guess.

Oh, yea, Zaino. Check out the pictures. You'll be convinced. You can order online at Ecklers, mail order only through Zaino themselves.
 


<< Dude your getting a Camaro SS 6-sp and you havent drove a Manual before!! 😀 wow

As far as rentals if you lived in Vegas I would say you have a chance, they rent out everything there, but anywhere else.. ouch, talk to a friend get them to take you out, whoever is driving the car in for you tomorrow, have them show you how.
>>



Yea yea...I know.

I really want a manual, dont ask me how I know this, even though I never driven one before. I'm having my dad bring it home for me, so I'm sure he will give me a quick run through but he isnt going to want to spend a lot of time showing me tomorrow night as he has other things to do.

I live out in the country, and the closest rental place is kinda far away, and all my friends drive autos. I suppose I could learn on my dads tractor though since I am desperate 😀
 
you may want to learn half-clutch also so that your car does not roll backwards downhills if you happen to get stuck on an uphill. Or you can do it by just using the brakes or handbrakes, but I feel that it is a hassle if you have to pull the handbrake all the time. For using the normal brake if you get stuck uphills, there is always the risk of your clutch being released too quickly which will cause you to lurch forward into the car ahead or if you used too little gas which your car will roll backwards. But if you mostly drive on flat roads without much uphills/downhills, then you should be fine.

To practice half-clutch, you may want to go to a short uphills and stop your car facing uphills. Restart your car, half-clutch and then release your parking brakes. You will need some practice to balance between the clutch and the accelerator, so that your car stays at a stationary position without using the brakes at all. You can do it going downhills also, with the reverse gear but I do not see the point of practicing that unless you're doing reverse parallel parking uphills all the time.


One bad thing of half clutching is if you do it too often (like a few times a day), your clutch will wear out sooner.
 
I think U-haul might still rent manual moving vans 🙂
Not sure if that's what you want to learn on.
I am in same position. Need to learn stick before I buy a new car.
 
Oh yeah, I think your gonna be very happy you got what you did 😀 your gonna have tons of fun.
 
Last edited:
I just saw that you're getting a Camaro SS, and you don't know stick shift. You should really consider practising on someone else's car because it may be way too powerful for you to handle at first. Don't want you to ruin it on its maiden voyage. One thing that you must make sure is that you release the clutch pedal very slowly and that you do not step too hard on the accelerator or your car will go sprinting forwards.
 


<<

<< Yea yea...I know.

I really want a manual, dont ask me how I know this, even though I never driven one before. I'm having my dad bring it home for me, so I'm sure he will give me a quick run through but he isnt going to want to spend a lot of time showing me tomorrow night as he has other things to do.

I live out in the country, and the closest rental place is kinda far away, and all my friends drive autos. I suppose I could learn on my dads tractor though since I am desperate 😀
>>


Oh yeah, I think your gonna be very happy you got what you did 😀 your gonna have tons of fun.
>>



I sure hope so...gotta find someone that will go down to the 1/4 mile track with me now 😀
 
if you got a really powerful car.. put into 1st gear, rev up to 5,000RPM, let go of the clutch and let everyone eat your dust. 🙂

but seriously, just need to practice.. i had to teach my ex-g/f on my car.. *sniff* my poor car *sniff* and she keeps stalling cuz she got this idea to let go of the clutch w/o stepping on the gas. the best way if you are a beginner is tap on the gas slightly and slowly let go of the clutch until you feel it catch on and the car moving. once you feel it's moving, let go of the clutch all the way and step on the gas to accelerate. keep doing this until you are comfortable with the first gear. that's the most important gear. next step is try balancing your car at an incline w/o having to use the gas or the brake. use only your clutch to try keep your car at a still position on the incline. if you manage to keep the car still, you're all good to go.
 
Back
Top