What are some common things some people do wrong when driving a car with manual transmission?

[Rastus]

Downshifting does cause a lot of wear on the clutch. That's because the fibers of the clutch pad are mostly worn in one direction because the engine is driving the transmission. Downshifting causes the wear to be "against the grain". Rev matching probably will help reduce some of that kind of wear, but it will not eliminate it.

 

[her209]

Don't crash. Sorry, that's the best advice I can give you.

 

[Reckoner]

Also, I recommend viewing http://www.standardshift.com. Lots of useful information there

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Downshifting doesn't add much wear to the clutch if done properly. Just make sure to rev-match.

True, but the majority of the kids around here think it's cool to downshift at an RPM high enough to cause the engine to choke and backfire. Whenever I hear 'downshift' I automatically visualize a WRX or something choking.

that's funny, I always visualize me choking the dumbass driver

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Downshifting does cause a lot of wear on the clutch. That's because the fibers of the clutch pad are mostly worn in one direction because the engine is driving the transmission. Downshifting causes the wear to be "against the grain". Rev matching probably will help reduce some of that kind of wear, but it will not eliminate it.

So that explains why I never change my clutches and I always downshift. Like I said, I get rid of cars with 150K+ miles on them with the original clutch and I downshift. I took a clutch out of one of my cars at 90K due to a throwout bearing problem....the clutch had almost no wear at all but I replaced it because I was there. That clutch now has over 130K on it.

Downshifting makes it easier to stop, keeps the brakes from overheating and they last a lot longer, and you have much more control of the car should an emergency occur with the car in gear. You can always push the clutch in quickly, it is much harder to shift into the right gear in a panic situation.

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Downshifting adds wear/tear on clutch, and uses more gas. Brake instead.

Usually I skip either first or second overall.

It's either 1, 3, 4, 5, or, 2, 3, 4, 5.

From a start where you need the extra torque, start with 1, then rev into about 5k, and shift into 3rd. This does save fuel as you don't need to waste any gas in second. (although the engine might work harder if it's not as powerful).

Missing 1st is also good for mileage, and most cars are able to start in 2nd without problems.

Just learn to 'feel' your engine.

This guy has no clue how to drive a stick, ignoring him would be a great place to start.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is slipping the clutch to get the car moving from a stop. This is what causes 99% of the wear on the clutch. If you learn how to let the clutch out and then give it gas as you do very slowly there is no slipping and the clutch will last almost forever if you don't abuse it in other ways. I have sold cars with 150K+ miles on the original clutch.

Thank you. How long have you been driving?

26 years.....stick the whole time. Sorry to be harsh but your post is full of misinformation.

you just got pwn3d iluvtruenos

I just started learning on my newly acquired miata...I'm beginning to smooth out the stop-go shifts and downshifting (not for stopping, but to get going again at a light or after a turn).

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Also, I recommend viewing http://www.standardshift.com. Lots of useful information there

thanks!

 

[crumpet19]

I managed to get 186k on the original clutch in my 89 Corsica.
NowI'm driving an auto and i really miss stick.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
You are supposed to run it to the redline on EVERY shift. At least thats the way the ricer kids around here do it, and I figure if anyone knows cars its those cool cats.

That's the fun way to do it, but not the right way to do it.

And that 2500-3000RPM mark depends on your car. Depends IMMENSELY on your car.

 

[laurenlex]

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: Ronstang

One of the biggest mistakes people make is slipping the clutch to get the car moving from a stop. This is what causes 99% of the wear on the clutch. If you learn how to let the clutch out and then give it gas as you do very slowly there is no slipping and the clutch will last almost forever if you don't abuse it in other ways. I have sold cars with 150K+ miles on the original clutch.

Can you explain that a little more? I think I slip the clutch, but I want to make sure. Are you saying let the clutch out first slowly, then give it gas? I let the clutch out slowly while giving it gas slowly at the same time.

You can get started without any accelerator, if you let the clutch out slowly and smoothly. Practice in a parking lot. When you got that down, add a little gas and let the clutch out faster.

Then when you get good, get the RPM's about 5000, and let the clutch out instantly

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: laurenlex

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: Ronstang

One of the biggest mistakes people make is slipping the clutch to get the car moving from a stop. This is what causes 99% of the wear on the clutch. If you learn how to let the clutch out and then give it gas as you do very slowly there is no slipping and the clutch will last almost forever if you don't abuse it in other ways. I have sold cars with 150K+ miles on the original clutch.

Can you explain that a little more? I think I slip the clutch, but I want to make sure. Are you saying let the clutch out first slowly, then give it gas? I let the clutch out slowly while giving it gas slowly at the same time.

You can get started without any accelerator, if you let the clutch out slowly and smoothly. Practice in a parking lot. When you got that down, add a little gas and let the clutch out faster.

Then when you get good, get the RPM's about 5000, and let the clutch out instantly

:thumbsup:

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Also, I recommend viewing http://www.standardshift.com. Lots of useful information there

thanks!

Hehehe...

 

[randomlinh]

I have a problem starting in 1st sometimes.. I tend to take it to 4500 before I shift again. After that, I usually shift at 2.5-3k for normal driving. I'm slowly getting better.. as rush hour is forcing me to do that quite a bit. I still tend to jerk the car a bit tho.. and I feel like an idiot in my new car sometimes

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: lnguyen
I have a problem starting in 1st sometimes.. I tend to take it to 4500 before I shift again. After that, I usually shift at 2.5-3k for normal driving. I'm slowly getting better.. as rush hour is forcing me to do that quite a bit. I still tend to jerk the car a bit tho.. and I feel like an idiot in my new car sometimes

I weep for your clutch.

 

[Viperoni]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Downshifting adds wear/tear on clutch, and uses more gas. Brake instead.

Usually I skip either first or second overall.

It's either 1, 3, 4, 5, or, 2, 3, 4, 5.

From a start where you need the extra torque, start with 1, then rev into about 5k, and shift into 3rd. This does save fuel as you don't need to waste any gas in second. (although the engine might work harder if it's not as powerful).

Missing 1st is also good for mileage, and most cars are able to start in 2nd without problems.

Just learn to 'feel' your engine.

This guy has no clue how to drive a stick, ignoring him would be a great place to start.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is slipping the clutch to get the car moving from a stop. This is what causes 99% of the wear on the clutch. If you learn how to let the clutch out and then give it gas as you do very slowly there is no slipping and the clutch will last almost forever if you don't abuse it in other ways. I have sold cars with 150K+ miles on the original clutch.

This is correct.

NEVER EVER skip first gear. No problem to skip other gears, but NEVER skip first.

 

[StageLeft]

Don't be a dolt and use the clutch to hold yourself on a hill.

 

[Kelemvor]

Wife took a Driving Class once and they drove a Dodge Viper. They never even touched first gear because you'd have to shift to 2nd in about half a second. SKip Barber Driving School I think the place was called.

But just gotta work on the timing of gas in, clutch out... DOn't want to give people whiplash.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Wife took a Driving Class once and they drove a Dodge Viper. They never even touched first gear because you'd have to shift to 2nd in about half a second. SKip Barber Driving School I think the place was called.

But just gotta work on the timing of gas in, clutch out... DOn't want to give people whiplash.

Well even if you are driving an exotic car such as the viper. That should be geared for acceleration and unless you are flooring it (even still) you shouldn't have to shift that soon. Do not start out in second!

My method of teaching people is for them to slowly release the clutch until the car begins to creep forward. Then after they can do that fairly quickly, then add the gas. If that is a little hard driving with no socks or shoes allows you to feel the clutch pulling slightly, drive like that for a while.

It takes time, not many people are going to be able to simply hop in and drive, a clutch will survive, just as long as you get better. Took me about 24 hours of practice (not all at once) before i was shifting smoothly.

-Kevin

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: Viperoni

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Downshifting adds wear/tear on clutch, and uses more gas. Brake instead.

Usually I skip either first or second overall.

It's either 1, 3, 4, 5, or, 2, 3, 4, 5.

From a start where you need the extra torque, start with 1, then rev into about 5k, and shift into 3rd. This does save fuel as you don't need to waste any gas in second. (although the engine might work harder if it's not as powerful).

Missing 1st is also good for mileage, and most cars are able to start in 2nd without problems.

Just learn to 'feel' your engine.

This guy has no clue how to drive a stick, ignoring him would be a great place to start.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is slipping the clutch to get the car moving from a stop. This is what causes 99% of the wear on the clutch. If you learn how to let the clutch out and then give it gas as you do very slowly there is no slipping and the clutch will last almost forever if you don't abuse it in other ways. I have sold cars with 150K+ miles on the original clutch.

This is correct.

NEVER EVER skip first gear. No problem to skip other gears, but NEVER skip first.

Usually the only time I skip first gear is if I slow down below 10 mph, and traffic begins to move again. My WRX does NOT let me shift back into first unless I stop moving, or I'm going less than 5 mph. Double clutching is an alternative but it's not really something I've bothered with to this point.

 

[Nutdotnet]

There's some real good (and some real awful) advice on here.

RonStang- so you're saying you let of the clutch until it begins to "grab", push in the gas (I'd assume you're pushing in somewhat substantially, more so then if you ease off the clutch and ease-in the gas), and then immediately let of the clutch?

I'm going to have to try that, I personally do the "ease-in, ease-out" method but in a very quick way and not letting the RPMS get above 1,500 or so. I have a StgIII clutch which grips VERY quickly and VERY hard. I would think that using your method with my clutch setup would cause me to lurch...maybe I should go to an empty parking lot and give it a go.