Some general questions about driving a stick shift.....

[badboyeee]

im getting a new car. i have an automatic right now but thinking of getting a stick shift for my new car. im not a pro at stick yet, and i have some questions too...

What ruins/wears out the clutch/transmission?
or
What are some bad habits that some people do when driving stick that are harmful to the clutch and transmission?

What requires more maintenance and would mostly likely need repairs? Auto or Stick?

and.. Will I ever get over the fear of stopping on a hill? Some tips?

 

[bozack]

I always thought:

Speed Shifting = Using the Clutch but Staying on the throttle, only letting off a bit

Power Shifting = Shifting without using the clutch

But it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong!!!

 

[imhotepmp]

<< im getting a new car. i have an automatic right now but thinking of getting a stick shift for my new car. im not a pro at stick yet, and i have some questions too...

What ruins/wears out the clutch/transmission?
or
What are some bad habits that some people do when driving stick that are harmful to the clutch and transmission?

What requires more maintenance and would mostly likely need repairs? Auto or Stick?

and.. Will I ever get over the fear of stopping on a hill? Some tips? >>



When your on a hill put on the emergency brake. Then go into first gear and slowly ease of the clutch and push the gas until you feel the car trying to move..then simply release the emergency brake.
had to learn that the hard way, burned the cluthc pretty badly when i revved really high in first gear because the car wasnt moving(was a pretty steep hill)
But the only time i do this is on steep hills, i can manage regular inclines w/o the emergency brake trick. Once you get more practice you should be able to.

Imhotep MP

 

[Jzero]

<<

<< Double clutching: 1. Put clutch in, shift in to first, let clutch out, accelerate. 2. When you get to desired revs, push in clutch. 3. Select neutral, let clutch out, give a little smack on the gas. 4. Put clutch in, select second gear, let clutch out, accelerate. ... and so on, doing this for every gear. Some big trucks require this, but cars generally don't need it unless the synchros are trashed. >>



Pretty correct except for one thing : Double clutching is for DOWNshifting.

For example, when you downshift from 4 to 3 the revs will increase, which is why you blip the throttle in neutral before you engage 3.

If you blip in neutral before upshifting it will just take longer for the engine speed to match the tranny speed once the clutch is engaged >>


Actually, I was going to ask about this, because I just read an article claiming that there was some small longevity benefit to the gears and synchros when double (de)clutching on upshifts. I tried it on my way home yesterday and found that it was just a hell of a lot more work...the car didn't seem to work any better.

I did notice smoother downshifts using the technique, though.
I tried to do a heel-toe on a sharp turn and almost lost it....need more practice on that technique