manual vehicles

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Now for learning control theory/advice... what's the best method for shifting.

Two down-shift questions:
First, if in 4th or 5th, and approaching a slow turn or have to slow down for any reason... would you drop gear by gear, or brake and drop to the appropriate gear (say, 2nd for this scenario). Or, brake and slow down but maintain gear, but when getting back into accelerating, drop into the appropriate gear at that moment?

If approaching a slow turn, most likely will shift it into 2nd (don't know you're idea of a slow turn). When slowing down and then accelerating, it depends on what speed you need to get to. You don't have to down shift if you slow down a little, but if you slow down enough to have to shift down, you just have to determine how many gears you will need to get back to the speed you want. That kind of stuff depends on the car and the type of driving you're doing. I skip 4th gear when driving slow. I don't need the extra acceleration to get to 30mph, so I go 1-2-3-5. You learn that stuff as you get experience.

Second... if, again, in really any gear that's not 1, but lets say 4th... and approaching a stop. How do you approach? Do you stay in gear, once stopped kick it into neutral, and when going get into 1st? Or drop gear by gear... or drop into first while stopped and go from there?
When stopped, do you need to do anything particular, like throttle every now and then, or at least specifically before putting it into 1st?

If it's a simple, straight line stop, I'd probably pop it out of gear and coast to where I want stop with the brake. Don't get into this gear by gear crap. That's video game crap. No one goes from 4th gear to 3rd to 2nd to stop and then into 1st. That's just dumb waste of time for your right hand. The only gear by gear crap is when you're accelerating.

All of these things, I've seen allusions to, or heard people talk about them.. cannot remember specifics. But since I've never really been in a car that was a manual, or was when I was wrong and didn't pay attention.
That, and I've seen a lot of bad manual drivers. Not very smooth when shifting while accelerating, see an obvious jerk (heard good drivers can make it appear smooth, or very minimal)... or rocking back and forth quite a bit while stopped at a light.
My whole goal in life is to never appear like a total noob at whatever I'm doing. Yes I know everyone was at that point sometime in their life... but I'm stubborn and pride-conscious like that.

The key to smooth shifting is some practice, you'll be a little jerky on unfamiliar cars but it wears off. Plus don't let off the clutch too fast. When you're learning, it's best to be a little slow on the clutch release then too quick unless you like being jerked around.

 

[alevasseur14]

Bench seat + long throw shifter + girlfriend straddling the shifter = 4th gear heaven.

A manual is just one of those things that 'feels' better to me. I just had this idea that I was a little more in touch with my truck. In my high school/college years it was a blessing as well. Them: "Can I borrow your truck to run to Target?" Me: "Sure! Can you drive a stick?" Them: "... can you drive me to Target?"

I'm not sure what it's like anymore but it used to be that manuals got a little bit better mileage as well. It's the same way I feel about my bike - a fixed gear is just more relaxing and enjoyable.

Have fun with the setup you've got but like people have said, I don't think there's any substitute for the real thing.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: alevasseur14
Bench seat + long throw shifter + girlfriend straddling the shifter = 4th gear heaven.

A manual is just one of those things that 'feels' better to me. I just had this idea that I was a little more in touch with my truck. In my high school/college years it was a blessing as well. Them: "Can I borrow your truck to run to Target?" Me: "Sure! Can you drive a stick?" Them: "... can you drive me to Target?"

I'm not sure what it's like anymore but it used to be that manuals got a little bit better mileage as well. It's the same way I feel about my bike - a fixed gear is just more relaxing and enjoyable.

Have fun with the setup you've got but like people have said, I don't think there's any substitute for the real thing.

:thumbsup:

My first truck was a F250 with a 4-spd top loader manual and a big bench seat.

Destrektor, are you sure those paddles aren't just connected to buttons that tell the trans computer "OK Upshift, OK Downshift!"

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
If it's a simple, straight line stop, I'd probably pop it out of gear and coast to where I want stop with the brake. Don't get into this gear by gear crap. That's video game crap. No one goes from 4th gear to 3rd to 2nd to stop and then into 1st. That's just dumb waste of time for your right hand. The only gear by gear crap is when you're accelerating.

I have to say one thing though, for a first-time driver (of anything) reading this, DON'T do this on a license test. In just about every state you WILL get failed! I got failed for this in Alaska, of all places, where they don't even have basic inspections to make sure your headlights and brakes work.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
The whole concept of having a steering wheel even seems so archaic. I had the opportunity to operate a loader that was all "drive by wire" with a joystick and the control was amazing. I'd imagine if the stick was in between one's legs (given what most do on this forum - ha!) everyone would be a pro right out the gate! :laugh:

I didn't realise neffing qualified you to drive a loader...

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: mcmilljb
I like driving a manual, and it's fun. But they have automatics which shift faster and get better gas mileage. Personally I rather have some nice paddles, but I don't think I would like not being able to go directly to the exact gear I want like I can with a manual. You also have to worry about hills. Usually it's not too bad after you get used to the car, but I would to see some nice hill assist stuff. Basically a simple button press to engage, and then cuts off when it senses enough force(or press button again). I learned on an old '94 5 speed nissan sentra and an old truck. If you don't have access to a car to learn, then you're better off with some lessons. At least you could do a course to lower your insurance premiums and learn to drive manual.

Watch youtube to learn. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOOy8hF-PI

Dual control Corsa?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: spidey07
It's a simulator. It's going to be incredibly hard to drive a car at the limits, especially if you don't understand the clutch and weight transfer when you use it.

Yep. Racing simulators are fun (rfactor is probably my fave at the moment), but it is frustratingly difficult to drive within the limits on one because, quite frankly, you cannot 'feel' the limits as you can in real life (force feedback be damned). Case in point to the thread, while you can drive a clutch using only your ears, using your butt is even better. But there are no g-forces in a regular gaming simulator, so you can't.

Meh. No matter how you slice it, racing simulators are just a video game. They can be every bit as realistic as the real deal, but if you wreck in one, the worst that happens is you have to restart the game.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: destrekor
Never driven a stick in my life.

WTF?!

2) I want to learn manual/standard, because if I ever eventually get a sport/performance/muscle car, I want a stick, and top engine.

Do it in a real car for christ's sake.

i don't get the wtf comment. i'm sure lots of people have never driven stick. i haven't.
i started out on automatic and never had a need to learn stick. i'm not going to buy a manual car just to learn.

 

[Howard]

Best way to learn stick is to borrow a shitbox.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: destrekor
Never driven a stick in my life.

WTF?!

2) I want to learn manual/standard, because if I ever eventually get a sport/performance/muscle car, I want a stick, and top engine.

Do it in a real car for christ's sake.

i don't get the wtf comment. i'm sure lots of people have never driven stick. i haven't.
i started out on automatic and never had a need to learn stick. i'm not going to buy a manual car just to learn.

I believe that manual transmissions are common in most countries.