Just bought a car with a manual transmission.

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: jennyacute
i love driving stick shift

5speedgirl?

- M4H

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: goku
What causes the car to 'rock back and forth'?

That is caused by using the clutch and gas to try to hold still on a slope, instead of just using the freaking brakes. It's called "Slipping the clutch", and it's ultra retarded.

 

[thehstrybean]

Stupid question:what causes the car to shake when I come off from a slowdown? It jerks really bad...

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: jennyacute
i love driving stick shift

5speedgirl?

- M4H

she races :Q

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Stupid question:what causes the car to shake when I come off from a slowdown? It jerks really bad...

Probably letting out the clutch too fast. Basically, you gotta let the clutch out really slow in first...once you get better, you'll be able to speed it up a bit, but when you're learning, try slowing down a little (note: not TOO slow, and certainly don't hold the engine at 4,000 RPM while you do it!). That might cure your jerky starts.

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Stupid question:what causes the car to shake when I come off from a slowdown? It jerks really bad...

If by slowdown you mean slowed but not stopped, and you shift down to start accelerating again?
If that!!! hehe , then it means you are shifting down into too low a gear. (example: In 5th gear cruising... see something ahead and slow down.. it clears up, and you want to go again, don't shift down too far, select one gear up from where you have been and it should go fine.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: Nyati13

Originally posted by: goku
What causes the car to 'rock back and forth'?

That is caused by using the clutch and gas to try to hold still on a slope, instead of just using the freaking brakes. It's called "Slipping the clutch", and it's ultra retarded.

While that may be true, you can also cause the car to do this on a flat road (no incline)...

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: eos
One thing is to not press the clutch in everytime you press the brake pedal. This is especially true in stop and go. The car will run fine at 3000-3500 rpm in first (or second) gear between stops. Let out the clutch and continue to accelerate. If you see traffic starting to slow down 4 cars ahead of you (you do look more than 1 car ahead, don't you?), let off the throttle slightly and the car will slow. You can leave the clutch out until right before you stop. Really. If you press it in and out when it's unecessary, you'll do a lot of slipping of the clutch when you try to let it out while still rolling. And rocking of the car as well.

Don't lug the motor. That engine runs fine at 4500 rpm. Keep the engine revving by choopsing the correct gear for city intersections or slight curves.

4,500 RPM? 3,000+ RPM in city traffic? Do you drive an S2000 or something? Normal driving upshift point is 3,000 RPM in my 951, and 2,000 RPM in my Mustang. I can let the clutch out in first on either without even touching the gas and can idle at 5 mph in 2nd without a problem. You're never going to lug the engine in 1st or 2nd in a car. A fully-laden truck, you might be able to lug it in 2nd, but it shouldn't really be an issue.

3,000 to 3,500 RPM in first... Any decent car will throw you at the windshield from engine braking as soon as you lift off the throttle at those engine speeds in 1st. Way to suggest the least efficient way to drive.

ZV

Great minds think alike. You and I should write the ATOT Driving FAQ

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: jtusa

Originally posted by: desiplaya4life
man driving a manual transmission is AWESOME!. just the feeling you have the power in your hands is great. but i never been thru traffic/rush hour experience. that must get horrible. :-/

That's my biggest concern, if I hit it at the wrong time, traffic on the way home from work can be a lot of stop and go. The three people that talked me into a manual said it's not that bad though.

If you know what your doing its not bad

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Phil

Originally posted by: eos
One thing is to not press the clutch in everytime you press the brake pedal. This is especially true in stop and go. The car will run fine at 3000-3500 rpm in first (or second) gear between stops. Let out the clutch and continue to accelerate. If you see traffic starting to slow down 4 cars ahead of you (you do look more than 1 car ahead, don't you?), let off the throttle slightly and the car will slow. You can leave the clutch out until right before you stop. Really. If you press it in and out when it's unecessary, you'll do a lot of slipping of the clutch when you try to let it out while still rolling. And rocking of the car as well.

Don't lug the motor. That engine runs fine at 4500 rpm. Keep the engine revving by choopsing the correct gear for city intersections or slight curves.

4500rpm for a "slight curve"?!
*hits eos on the head with a newspaper*

Lemme guess, 7000rpm for a gradual incline?

I didn't give a value for slight curves. I said it runs fine at 4500 rpm. And it will.

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: eos
One thing is to not press the clutch in everytime you press the brake pedal. This is especially true in stop and go. The car will run fine at 3000-3500 rpm in first (or second) gear between stops. Let out the clutch and continue to accelerate. If you see traffic starting to slow down 4 cars ahead of you (you do look more than 1 car ahead, don't you?), let off the throttle slightly and the car will slow. You can leave the clutch out until right before you stop. Really. If you press it in and out when it's unecessary, you'll do a lot of slipping of the clutch when you try to let it out while still rolling. And rocking of the car as well.

Don't lug the motor. That engine runs fine at 4500 rpm. Keep the engine revving by choopsing the correct gear for city intersections or slight curves.

4,500 RPM? 3,000+ RPM in city traffic? Do you drive an S2000 or something? Normal driving upshift point is 3,000 RPM in my 951, and 2,000 RPM in my Mustang. I can let the clutch out in first on either without even touching the gas and can idle at 5 mph in 2nd without a problem. You're never going to lug the engine in 1st or 2nd in a car. A fully-laden truck, you might be able to lug it in 2nd, but it shouldn't really be an issue.

3,000 to 3,500 RPM in first... Any decent car will throw you at the windshield from engine braking as soon as you lift off the throttle at those engine speeds in 1st. Way to suggest the least efficient way to drive.

ZV

I never said to run at 4500 rpm in city traffic. The engine runs fine at 4500 rpm is what I said. See up there where I suggested slightly letting off the throttle? It's good advice. The method I outlined keeps the new manual transmission driver from shifting more than is necessary. It isn't necessary to idle in 2nd gear at 5 mph. It isn't necessary to run at ???? rpm in 1st gear at 5 mph. It's another way to drive.

Seatbelts would keep the occupants from moving more than 3 inches forward in any kind of slowdown.

Every engine is different and this motor redlines at over 6500 rpm. It will run fine at 4500 rpm anytime the driver feels like staying in a gear longer.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. (F. Nietzsche)

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: eos
I never said to run at 4500 rpm in city traffic. The engine runs fine at 4500 rpm is what I said. See up there where I suggested slightly letting off the throttle? It's good advice. The method I outlined keeps the new manual transmission driver from shifting more than is necessary. It isn't necessary to idle in 2nd gear at 5 mph. It isn't necessary to run at ???? rpm in 1st gear at 5 mph. It's another way to drive.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. (F. Nietzsche)

I have a feeling your "shifting more than necessary" is everyone else's "not wasting gas".

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: eos
I never said to run at 4500 rpm in city traffic. The engine runs fine at 4500 rpm is what I said. See up there where I suggested slightly letting off the throttle? It's good advice. The method I outlined keeps the new manual transmission driver from shifting more than is necessary. It isn't necessary to idle in 2nd gear at 5 mph. It isn't necessary to run at ???? rpm in 1st gear at 5 mph. It's another way to drive.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. (F. Nietzsche)

I have a feeling your "shifting more than necessary" is everyone else's "not wasting gas".

"Feelings. Nothing more than feelings."

Imagine a new clutch user. They learn to get the car moving from a stop, a little throttle is needed when letting out the clutch to keep from stalling the engine. This will likely carry over for a while when making shifts at speed. Slipping of the clutch, over revving when the clutch is about to engage, etc. Claims of wasted fuel staying at a higher gear while driving slow can be the same while mistakes are made when shifting.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: eos
One thing is to not press the clutch in everytime you press the brake pedal. This is especially true in stop and go. The car will run fine at 3000-3500 rpm in first (or second) gear between stops. Let out the clutch and continue to accelerate. If you see traffic starting to slow down 4 cars ahead of you (you do look more than 1 car ahead, don't you?), let off the throttle slightly and the car will slow. You can leave the clutch out until right before you stop. Really. If you press it in and out when it's unecessary, you'll do a lot of slipping of the clutch when you try to let it out while still rolling. And rocking of the car as well.

Don't lug the motor. That engine runs fine at 4500 rpm. Keep the engine revving by choopsing the correct gear for city intersections or slight curves.

4,500 RPM? 3,000+ RPM in city traffic? Do you drive an S2000 or something? Normal driving upshift point is 3,000 RPM in my 951, and 2,000 RPM in my Mustang. I can let the clutch out in first on either without even touching the gas and can idle at 5 mph in 2nd without a problem. You're never going to lug the engine in 1st or 2nd in a car. A fully-laden truck, you might be able to lug it in 2nd, but it shouldn't really be an issue.

3,000 to 3,500 RPM in first... Any decent car will throw you at the windshield from engine braking as soon as you lift off the throttle at those engine speeds in 1st. Way to suggest the least efficient way to drive.

ZV

I never said to run at 4500 rpm in city traffic. The engine runs fine at 4500 rpm is what I said. See up there where I suggested slightly letting off the throttle? It's good advice. The method I outlined keeps the new manual transmission driver from shifting more than is necessary. It isn't necessary to idle in 2nd gear at 5 mph. It isn't necessary to run at ???? rpm in 1st gear at 5 mph. It's another way to drive.

Seatbelts would keep the occupants from moving more than 3 inches forward in any kind of slowdown.

Every engine is different and this motor redlines at over 6500 rpm. It will run fine at 4500 rpm anytime the driver feels like staying in a gear longer.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. (F. Nietzsche)

I've read a lot of Nietzsche. He's wonderfully addictive in the way that most things that are fundamentally damaging to a person are, but that's a discussion for another thread. Suffice it to say that Nietzshe sought mainly to convince himself of things which he did not believe in his heart.

You're right that he won't break the car, but that's all you're right on.

Yes, the seatbelt will keep the occupants from moving. That doesn't change the fact that the occupant is still thrown forward. Driving a manual transmission smoothly in first gear necessitates a light throttle foot and a good feel to feather the throttle and avoid invoking the backlash that exists in every drivetrain.

You claim that you're trying to prevent excess shifting. What you miss is that your advice ingrains sub-optimal habits into a young driver. Rather than providing a stepping stone, you are helping him learn bad habits that he will have to un-learn later to drive properly. It is best to attempt to drive properly from the start and to develop proper driving habits.

There's no reason for the engine in that car to see over 3,000 RPM more than once or twice a week, and even then it would only be in an acceleration run.

You can spout all the "all ways are equally good" bullsh*t all you like, but that doesn't change the fact that your recommendations effectively teach very poor driving habits.

ZV

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: eos
One thing is to not press the clutch in everytime you press the brake pedal. This is especially true in stop and go. The car will run fine at 3000-3500 rpm in first (or second) gear between stops. Let out the clutch and continue to accelerate. If you see traffic starting to slow down 4 cars ahead of you (you do look more than 1 car ahead, don't you?), let off the throttle slightly and the car will slow. You can leave the clutch out until right before you stop. Really. If you press it in and out when it's unecessary, you'll do a lot of slipping of the clutch when you try to let it out while still rolling. And rocking of the car as well.

Don't lug the motor. That engine runs fine at 4500 rpm. Keep the engine revving by choopsing the correct gear for city intersections or slight curves.

4,500 RPM? 3,000+ RPM in city traffic? Do you drive an S2000 or something? Normal driving upshift point is 3,000 RPM in my 951, and 2,000 RPM in my Mustang. I can let the clutch out in first on either without even touching the gas and can idle at 5 mph in 2nd without a problem. You're never going to lug the engine in 1st or 2nd in a car. A fully-laden truck, you might be able to lug it in 2nd, but it shouldn't really be an issue.

3,000 to 3,500 RPM in first... Any decent car will throw you at the windshield from engine braking as soon as you lift off the throttle at those engine speeds in 1st. Way to suggest the least efficient way to drive.

ZV

I never said to run at 4500 rpm in city traffic. The engine runs fine at 4500 rpm is what I said. See up there where I suggested slightly letting off the throttle? It's good advice. The method I outlined keeps the new manual transmission driver from shifting more than is necessary. It isn't necessary to idle in 2nd gear at 5 mph. It isn't necessary to run at ???? rpm in 1st gear at 5 mph. It's another way to drive.

Seatbelts would keep the occupants from moving more than 3 inches forward in any kind of slowdown.

Every engine is different and this motor redlines at over 6500 rpm. It will run fine at 4500 rpm anytime the driver feels like staying in a gear longer.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. (F. Nietzsche)

I've read a lot of Nietzsche. He's wonderfully addictive in the way that most things that are fundamentally damaging to a person are, but that's a discussion for another thread. Suffice it to say that Nietzshe sought mainly to convince himself of things which he did not believe in his heart.

You're right that he won't break the car, but that's all you're right on.

Yes, the seatbelt will keep the occupants from moving. That doesn't change the fact that the occupant is still thrown forward. Driving a manual transmission smoothly in first gear necessitates a light throttle foot and a good feel to feather the throttle and avoid invoking the backlash that exists in every drivetrain.

You claim that you're trying to prevent excess shifting. What you miss is that your advice ingrains sub-optimal habits into a young driver. Rather than providing a stepping stone, you are helping him learn bad habits that he will have to un-learn later to drive properly. It is best to attempt to drive properly from the start and to develop proper driving habits.

There's no reason for the engine in that car to see over 3,000 RPM more than once or twice a week, and even then it would only be in an acceleration run.

You can spout all the "all ways are equally good" bullsh*t all you like, but that doesn't change the fact that your recommendations effectively teach very poor driving habits.

ZV

I think I'll go take my 1 million miles of commercial driving experience to another thread. The compression in a 15.6L Caterpillar engine is a tad more than a 3.0L Nissan engine, by the way.

My advice is just advice. It's not meant to be the only opinion.

And you admitted I was right about two things.

Good day sir.

I SAID GOOD DAY!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: eos
I think I'll go take my 1 million miles of commercial driving experience to another thread. The compression in a 15.6L Caterpillar engine is a tad more than a 3.0L Nissan engine, by the way.

My advice is just advice. It's not meant to be the only opinion.

And you admitted I was right about two things.

Good day sir.

I SAID GOOD DAY!

The Nissan also doesn't have 80,000 pounds of momentum, nor does it have 10 to 18 forward gears.

You simply cannot recommend the same driving styles for an OTR semi when the OP has a car. I cannot say whether your recommendations are good or not for a semi (though they don't match my experiences in 40 foot box trucks, which are admittedly much smaller and only have an International diesel with an Eaton/Fuller 6-speed), but I can say with certainty that they are not optimal with cars. They will work, yes, but that alone doesn't make them good advice.

ZV

 

[Mardeth]

Never driven an automatic.