Quote:
Originally Posted by Orpheus
1. so, any pointers for newbie launches???
2. also, i was wondering, what's your recommended procedure when parking? i've heard different things... like i think my manual mentioned to park on reverse, and my friend says on first. so, i dunno.
3. if i keep stalling or starting rough, is this gonna damage my car?
thanks guys.... i REALLY need help!!!! heh he.
orpheus
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Having just gone through this very stage myself...I think I can help you out.
(Although I unfortunately no longer own the car...it was just too painful on my hips. Ended up having to get raped and trade it in for something else...
)
1. The first thing you need to do is just practice learning where your clutch engages. You can do this right in the comfort of your own driveway. Just practice reversing and going back into your driveway...both will teach you about launching, and ultimately, where your clutch's engagement point is. Finding the engagement point quickly is the key to getting quick launches. I
strongly recommend you not wear shoes when driving manual if at all possible. Feeling the clutch's engagement point is MUCH, MUCH easier when it's just your bare foot or just socks.
Simply practice creeping the car using the clutch...you'll be needing this when in bumper to bumper traffic, and when doing very minute parking adjustments. Keep the car in first, don't hit the gas at all, and slowly bring the clutch up until the car moves forward. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Likewise try it in reverse. When reversing, unless your driveway is long, do NOT fully release the clutch while giving it gas. Otherwise you will end up reversing at like 30mph.
Actually getting the car to go smoothly is completely based on clutch release/accelerator pressure balance. And this is where it ended up just hurting too much for me. To shift smoothly, you sometimes have to sloooooowly release the clutch, and/or sloooooowly increase the gas. This was just too much tension for my right leg, which I guess is too used mashing an automatic's gas pedal. I was literally limping out of my car everytime I drove it. Anyways, the faster you gas, the faster you can release the clutch. Steadily increase the gas while steadily releasing the clutch in a smooth motion.
2. Conventional wisdom seems to favor parking in first, with the e-brake on. I personally parked it in neutral with the e-brake on. Reason being, I once accidentally had the car in second gear while I was practicing shifting through the gears with the car off. Next time I started the car, I forgot that I was in gear...and the moment I released the clutch, the car lept forward. Luckily the car stalled immediately to a dead stop...else my house would've had one wall crashed in.
3. If this is your first manual ever, you might at worse end up having to replace the clutch sooner from having to learn on it, which usually means more clutch slipping then usual. Other then that...if anything else breaks, it wasn't worth buying in the first place.
4. How's your downshifting been? Ready to learn how to rev match?
Try to "have fun" with the car. Practice with it late at night. Find empty parking lots and practice launching, then hit long stretches with turns to practice upshifting and downshifting, and finally, hit some hills. At first it is a royal PITA. Starting up on hills especially can give you a heart attack if you don't know what you're doing. I personally never got over that feeling and never felt it was fun at all, and just gave up on manual. Doubt I'd ever get another one again, unless it were clutchless.
By the way...what car did you get?
