Tips for not stalling the car when entering 1st gear...

[SithSolo1]

Ok, so I'm finally learning to drive(long story, no I will not tell it right now). Anyway, I though this go around I would try a manual. The only manual we have in our house hold is a Subaru WRX STi(Edited for M4H ). On to the point, once I get going getting into the higher gears is easy. Thing is I stalled it 4 times trying to get into first and got really frustrated since I got it right on my first try but not on the next 4. My dad tells me to keep it around 1500-2000 RPMs and slowly release the clutch, needless to say I have some problems with this. Questions: Do I need to keep the RPMs this low? Do I need to press the clutch all the way in? How slowly do I need to release it? What kind of shoes should I wear(I had boots on and I couldn't really feel the pedals)? How long did it take you to get the process down? Any other advice?

Thank you for you help,
J.

 

[DannyBoy]

Press the clutch ALL the way in, if in doubt put your foot down on the accelerator and keep the rpms high when you go into gear.

The easiest way to learn is to start with high rpm's, even if the car does shoot of, then when you get used to it, see what the minimum is by lowering it each time etc...

Driving is trial and error to learn...
Dan

 

[BaboonGuy]

Okay here I will help you a lot since I am the manual master. First here's what you want to do. Take the car to a pretty low-traffic level street. Then push the clutch ALL the way in (yes you should always do this when you get into or change gears). Then SLOWLY release it. Once you feel the car really starting to move (which isn't going to be all too much) stop, then go back in and do it again. Do it again and again till you know exactly where that spot is. That spot is pretty much the key to driving manual, it's called the contact point.

Okay, now that you have the contact point, what you want to do to get into gear is put a good amount of gas in (i use about 1500 rpms, but I first learned to do it at 3000) and release the clutch to that contact point. Once you're at the contact point, hold it there until you feel it engage (or just hold it there for .5 - 1 seconds) and then just release the clutch and put in all the gas you want.

Hope this helps.

 

[toekramp]

i'm not the greatest manual driver either...i try and move my feet exactly opposite of each other (if that made any sense...foot up/foot down) and usually overcompensate by pressing on the gas a bbbit too much sometimes i squeal tires but at least i don't stall

 

[MercenaryForHire]

STi isn't a car, it's Subaru Technical Institution (IIRC) ... do you mean a Subaru WRX STi?

Answers:
1) Keep the RPMs low - if they're high, you'll chirp your tires, which while "sounding cool" attracts cops and kills tires.
2) Clutch all the way in of course when shifting.
3) Let it out slow until it "grabs", then speed up while applying more gas.
4) Heavy boots aren't best, but you can drive manual in anything.
5) One day of using one as a daily driver did it. The fear of stalling out will keep you alive.
6) Practice, practice, practice. Don't get discouraged.

- M4H

 

[Viper GTS]

The best advice I can give you is to just do it.

Over and over and over again. And then when you want to scream, do it again.

You will learn, & no amount of posting here will help you.

Viper GTS

 

[BaboonGuy]

Just wait till you have to parallel park in a tight spot on a steep hill! Buckets o fun!!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

And listen to your dad. He'll be able to teach you more in five minutes than you'll figure out from five days neffing here.

- M4H

 

[Pepsi90919]

i have never stalled a manual transmission, except the one time i was in 3rd by accident.

 

[Glitchny]

go practice some hill stops

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
And listen to your dad. He'll be able to teach you more in five minutes than you'll figure out from five days neffing here.

- M4H

But neffing is so fun.

Maybe I should wait till he finishes breaking the car in. Right now we still have to keep in under 4000 RPMs so engaging the clutch at 3000 isn't really doable. Only ~400 miles to go till we can really open it up.

 

[Papagayo]

Push the clutch in all the way.. Rev the engine to about 6500 rpm and quickly release the clutch while you still have your right feet on the gas pedal.. I guarantee you will not stall the car..

 

[datalink7]

The best tip I recieved was to give it A LOT of gas, and slowly let the clutch up.

This made me take off too fast sometimes, but I stopped stalling and jerking the damn car. I was then able to get used to doing it, and then quickly move so I didn't need to give it so much gas.

 

[PlatinumGold]

practice.

 

[BaboonGuy]

Too much gas = the way to send your clutch to an early death

just learn how I told you, once you have that contact point, it's easy.

 

[lupohki]

Ok, I got an STi about 3 weeks ago and it's my first manual car too. From my experience, you need to press the clutch all the way in when you put it into first from neutral at a stop. But to get it rolling from first, I let the clutch up just before the point of engagement and then let go of the brake, and lightly apply the gas while at the same time gradually releasing the clutch pedal. I find if I release the clutch fast, then it studders. It's the same way with second, but third and up you can release it faster.

edit:

Also, I never push the clutch all the down for other shifts besides from stop to first.

 

[SithSolo1]

I need to get a box and put tensioned pedals on it so I can practice the movements. I think all I need is wood, springs, some screws, and some hinges.

 

[Eli]

Christ.. all these people with STi's as their first manual..

I'm jealous!

Just don't wrap it around a tree.

It's pretty much been covered. You just have to get a feel for it.. practice, practice, practice.

 

[KarenMarie]

..." Tips for not stalling the car when entering 1st gear "...

Practice.

not trying to be a smart azz. but that is all it really is.

practice.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
I need to get a box and put tensioned pedals on it so I can practice the movements. I think all I need is wood, springs, some screws, and some hinges.

Screw that. Go down to your local arcade, play Rush 2049 on Extreme w/ the clutch enabled.

- M4H

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Eli
Just don't wrap it around a tree.

Like this guy?

- M4H

 

[Rallispec]

damn-- thats a hell of a car to learn how to drive a stick on...

anyhow-- just keep with it.. I learned about 2 years ago, took me a least a week before i really started to feel comfortable driving around-- and it took me at least a month or two before i felt confident on hills.

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Eli
Just don't wrap it around a tree.

Like this guy?

- M4H

what about hte guy who put his through a house?

 

Your dad bought an STi, that rules.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
i have never stalled a manual transmission, except the one time i was in 3rd by accident.

When my friend was thinking of buying his '65 Mustang he didn't have much experience on manuals (except on VW Bugs) so he asked if he could try out my Accord since the clutch was grabby like the one on the 'stang. Anyhow, he mananged to start from a dead stop in 3rd. Didn't dump the clutch; just rode it nice and easy. I've driven that car 3 years and still can't do that!!