Learning how to drive manual

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: marvdmartian
Okay, as it's been pointed out by the more helpful replies here, practise will make you a better driver, with or without a manual shift vehicle.

As far as downshifting goes, the bottom line is that most modern vehicles lack the engine compression to make a huge difference in helping to slow down the vehicle. If you're driving a larger vehicle, with a V8 engine, you can get some pretty decent braking by downshifting, but if you're driving a little 4-banger econobox, it's likely all you're going to do is make your engine whine by revving up the rpm's. If you're someone who thinks that's cool, good on ya.

Most modern engines are fairly high compression... In the 9:1 to 11:1 range... And because of gearing, my 4-cylinder 944 Turbo (only 8:1 compression because of 15 PSI boost) will engine brake a lot harder than my V8 (9.9:1 compression ratio) Mustang.

As for the rest, with that tired old bullcrap about engine braking being a bad idea for a newbie, it's just plain not worth addressing.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: doanster
Who here is good at driving stick?
I have 2 questions:

1)what's the best way to smoothly shift from 1st to 2nd?
2)when doing heel-and-toe downshifting, I find it much easier to brake with my big toes and then 'blip' the gas with the right side of my foot by pivoting on the right side of the brake pedal.. is this dangerous? (so not actually using my heel and toe)
3)any other tips?

Learn how to drive a stick before trying to use the heel and toe technique.

There is no substitute for experience. The more time you spend behind the wheel the quicker you will learn how to drive a stick.

 

[doanster]

This thread is still alive?? lol
One thing to note is that I have mastered my automatic, ridiculous as it may sound.
I can select which gear my car is in (except reverse of course), and whether or not the lockup clutch is engaged or not, without ever touching the shifter.
Starting to drive manual is a rush for me, cuz now I can do more than just rely on pedal pressure to change gears and control the clutch, giving me control over my car that I have dreamed of for years while driving an automatic. Guess it's n00bie's syndrome hitting me