Manual transmission in heavy traffic...

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: Kntx

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

That works great if you don't mind a ton of unnecessary clutch wear. Make a habit out of this living in San Francisco and you will be lucky to get a year out of a clutch.

I drive a 98' ford on it's first clutch. So.... yea.

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: Kntx

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

That works great if you don't mind a ton of unnecessary clutch wear. Make a habit out of this living in San Francisco and you will be lucky to get a year out of a clutch.

uhh .. some peeps are better left driving automatics. It's not like you need to hold the car on the hill the entire time this way. The entire maneuver shouldn't take more than a sec once the light changes, etc. Sure ... if you're going to sit there and hold the car via the clutch only then it's going to wear prematurely. That's user error.

I drive a 6 speed in traffic, and the clutch is not very forgiving unlike my Mazda3's, and you just get used to it. Automatics are boring. I much prefer being involved in the driving experience than just hitting the gas and brakes. But everyone has diff needs. If a car is nothing more than daily transportation for you then don't get the manual ... stick with the auto and save everyone the hassle.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

Bingo, thanks for replying for me.

I have driven for many years in hilly cities and have never had the need to heel and toe or e-brake. Stick to your training wheels if you must.

I just fundamentally disagree, and I've been driving stick for 19 years. I always use your technique on gentle hills, but I've driven on some of the steepest paved streets in the world - again, SF has some 30%+ slopes - and you NEED to use handbrake on hills like that or your clutch is subjected to a lot of unnecessary abuse. What works on a gentle hill won't necessarily work there. There are a number of intersections in the city that are regulated by stop signs, so you might end up stopping and starting several times in a row on a hill so steep that there are stairs on the sidewalk. You'd be foolish IMO to use the clutch to hold the car on a hill like that, even for a very short period of time.

 

[Kntx]

The clutch isn't as fragile as you think. That's what it is there for!!! Its "raison d'etre" if you will

 

[Throckmorton]

The reason to get a manual is fun, not fuel economy.

If you get it to save some gas you may end up hating it if you really do see that much traffic.

 

[Redfraggle]

Of all the manual transmissions I've driven (I used to sell cars, so had a chance to try out several types from the used lot), VW has the lightest clutch I've encountered. It's also the most forgiving in traffic, because they use a hydraulic clutch, and not a manual cable like some others. Mazda has a nice feel to it as well. While I love Subaru dearly, I probably wouldn't suggest their manual tranny for high traffic areas, unless it's the STi, because that car just is that awesome.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

Bingo, thanks for replying for me.

I have driven for many years in hilly cities and have never had the need to heel and toe or e-brake. Stick to your training wheels if you must.

I just fundamentally disagree, and I've been driving stick for 19 years. I always use your technique on gentle hills, but I've driven on some of the steepest paved streets in the world - again, SF has some 30%+ slopes - and you NEED to use handbrake on hills like that or your clutch is subjected to a lot of unnecessary abuse. What works on a gentle hill won't necessarily work there. There are a number of intersections in the city that are regulated by stop signs, so you might end up stopping and starting several times in a row on a hill so steep that there are stairs on the sidewalk. You'd be foolish IMO to use the clutch to hold the car on a hill like that, even for a very short period of time.

Thanks people. I've probably driven 20 times more manual miles than this guy, but I'll just let you all go to town on him. :laugh:

/0

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: KntxYou don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

Exactly.

 

[yelo333]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

Bingo, thanks for replying for me.

I have driven for many years in hilly cities and have never had the need to heel and toe or e-brake. Stick to your training wheels if you must.

I just fundamentally disagree, and I've been driving stick for 19 years. I always use your technique on gentle hills, but I've driven on some of the steepest paved streets in the world - again, SF has some 30%+ slopes - and you NEED to use handbrake on hills like that or your clutch is subjected to a lot of unnecessary abuse. What works on a gentle hill won't necessarily work there. There are a number of intersections in the city that are regulated by stop signs, so you might end up stopping and starting several times in a row on a hill so steep that there are stairs on the sidewalk. You'd be foolish IMO to use the clutch to hold the car on a hill like that, even for a very short period of time.

Thanks people. I've probably driven 20 times more manual miles than this guy, but I'll just let you all go to town on him. :laugh:

/0

Hang on, reread his posts. I think you agree with him.

I use the handbrake on steep hills, too. But my opinion doesn't count for much, since there is maybe 1 steep hill within 50 miles of me.

 

[zerocool84]

How about we let people drive what and how they want??? Is that so hard?

 

[ballmode]

I had really dark clutch fluid that overheated in stop and go traffic.

The pedal would sink to the floor easy...

so... I changed the fluid and voila! no more soggy pedal

2001 Mazda Miata

 

[Mide]

It's annoying....very annoying, especially on hills

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: yelo333

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: waffleironhead

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Use the Handbrake on hills, dimwits.

Just goes to show that you have no idea how to drive a manual properly.

:roll: So I gather you belong to the heel-and-toe on hills cult? That is sheer stupidity on truly steep hills. I've driven in stop-and-start conditions on 30%+ slopes in SF. The handbrake is the only safe way to start on hills like that - one slip ("oh wait - my shoes are a little wet!") and you're smashing into the car behind you. Heel-and-toeing on really steep streets is dangerous and serves no legitimate purpose. I guess I wouldn't care that you choose to drive in a stupid fashion, were it not for your own arrogance about it.

You don't have to heel toe. With your left foot on the clutch and your right on the brake lift the clutch until the engagement point. Move your right foot from the brake to the gas. At this point your clutch is already grabbing and your car will not roll back. Add some gas lift the clutch and move forward.

Bingo, thanks for replying for me.

I have driven for many years in hilly cities and have never had the need to heel and toe or e-brake. Stick to your training wheels if you must.

I just fundamentally disagree, and I've been driving stick for 19 years. I always use your technique on gentle hills, but I've driven on some of the steepest paved streets in the world - again, SF has some 30%+ slopes - and you NEED to use handbrake on hills like that or your clutch is subjected to a lot of unnecessary abuse. What works on a gentle hill won't necessarily work there. There are a number of intersections in the city that are regulated by stop signs, so you might end up stopping and starting several times in a row on a hill so steep that there are stairs on the sidewalk. You'd be foolish IMO to use the clutch to hold the car on a hill like that, even for a very short period of time.

Thanks people. I've probably driven 20 times more manual miles than this guy, but I'll just let you all go to town on him. :laugh:

/0

Hang on, reread his posts. I think you agree with him.

I use the handbrake on steep hills, too. But my opinion doesn't count for much, since there is maybe 1 steep hill within 50 miles of me.

Yeah, I agree with Don, disagree with waffleironhead. I thought that would be clearer, but the quote tree owns me.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Do you live in SF?

If so, driving a manual there sucks with all the hills. You will burn out your clutch much faster as you have to "slip" it on the hills when youo get stuck at a light. I'd go autoamtic in the city.

I've been driving a manual for the past 9yrs in the south-bay and commute to clients all over the pennisula, N. Bay, East Bay and its fine.

Many manual cars come with Hill Start Assist these days so that isn't an issue.

very few cars come with this feature. name 5.

regardless, you still have to fight against the extra load of going up hill.