Car jerks when I push down clutch at lower rpms

[amdhunter]

As you guys might/might not know, I bought a manual car without having any real manual experience. I've taken the car ~640 miles now, and think that I have learned to drive it really, really well. (2007 VW Jetta GLi, 640 miles)

I've never gunned it, and I can shift almost perfectly smooth, until this morning.

For some reason, when I shift at low rpms now (under 3krpms) the car jerks when I engage (push down) the clutch. It only started this morning, for no apparent reason. It only happens in 1st or 2nd gear and at low rpms.

If I punch the gas just before shifting, it seems fine. At higher gears it doesn't seem to be a problem.

Any idea what it can be? I am regretting getting a stick shift car now.

 

[thomsbrain]

Without seeing you drive it (obviously), my guess is that you are letting off the gas too soon before engaging the clutch. The engine, designed to cut fuel completely when you are coasting in gear, is cutting the fuel before you get the clutch in, causing a jerk as the car slaps from acceleration to engine braking, and back to coasting when you get the clutch in. Try letting off the gas more smoothly, at the same time that you are pushing the clutch in. This will provide a little slippage during the transition from gas to no gas, and might help you smooth this out.

I only guess this because I used to do it when I was learning. You probably didn't do it at first, because you were letting the gas out too LATE (a common beginner thing). Then as you got better, you started letting off the gas earlier and earlier to reduce slippage and wear on your clutch. Well, now you've gone too far to early side of things.

Experiment with your timing and see how it goes.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Without seeing you drive it (obviously), my guess is that you are letting off the gas too soon before engaging the clutch. The engine, designed to cut fuel completely when you are coasting in gear, is cutting the fuel before you get the clutch in, causing a jerk as the car slaps from acceleration to engine braking, and back to coasting when you get the clutch in. Try letting off the gas more smoothly, at the same time that you are pushing the clutch in. This will provide a little slippage during the transition from gas to no gas, and might help you smooth this out.

I only guess this because I used to do it when I was learning. You probably didn't do it at first, because you were letting the gas out too LATE (a common beginner thing). Then as you got better, you started letting off the gas earlier and earlier to reduce slippage and wear on your clutch. Well, now you've gone too far to early side of things.

Experiment with your timing and see how it goes.

Yes, if I time it right, I can avoid it altogether. I just never noticed it before at all until this morning, and it's got me worried. The problem is, that it jerks as soon as I press down on the clutch, and the rpms don't really drop so much as to cause a jerk. It definitely wasn't like that yesterday, and I know I haven't changed my driving skill in one day. lol

 

[Kirby]

You've had it for 640 miles and haven't done a burn out yet?

<- Jetta owner

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
You've had it for 640 miles and haven't done a burn out yet?

<- Jetta owner

I am baby-ing the hell out of this thing, until I reach ~1500 miles or so. I did the same with my old Civic.

 

[Hyperlite]

its been my experience that you will develop and then realize strange little habits through the first few years of learning to drive a manual. some days i just shift like sh!t, for no apparent reason. i like to think i'm a pretty good (manual) driver, but after 4 years i'm still refining my techniques.

 

[Howard]

Push down is disengage.