General Honda Civic Forum Archive. The archive is dedicated to storing threads for research purposes only, please place questions in their appropriate forum.

Tips on driving manual?

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #1  
02cvcEX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: DFW
Rep Power: 261
02cvcEX will become famous soon enough02cvcEX will become famous soon enough
Tips on driving manual?

you guys recommend any tips on driving manual?

bad or good to slow down by downshifting (by 1-2 gear(s))?
tips on going through traffic?
save gas by shifting every other gear? yes!
downshift and accelerate on apex of a turn to get some nice Gs out of it

anything else?
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #2  
Rufus's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Rep Power: 379
Rufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud of
Stalling = not good
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #3  
MajinB's Avatar
Drunken Master-7thgen Ninja
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,976
Likes: 0
From: georgia
Rep Power: 336
MajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to behold
tap gas to meet rpms when downshifting, skip shifting is BAD for your sychros. don't do it. shift at 3k rpms and you should have great gas mileage. traffic is iffy. try coasting, its great.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #4  
Boilermaker1's Avatar
Jap-Euro Fusion
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 3
From: Washington DC
Rep Power: 423
Boilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to beholdBoilermaker1 is a splendid one to behold
Don't skipshift (bad for tranny)
Leave it in gear in traffic unless its on the verge of stalling. Its easier to crawl in 2nd than first
Don't drive like Mario andretti. There's no need to apex and punch out of the corners on the road. Find a road course if you want to do that. This car doesn't generate G force, it understeers. Not to mention if you downshift in the corner the car skids, not to mention downshifting and flooring it out of the corner wastes gas, which in the line above you're trying to conserve.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #5  
LowSky's Avatar
I spend way too much time on this website
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Poughkeepsie, NY
Rep Power: 0
LowSky is an unknown quantity at this point
i heard down shifting to slow down is bad for the car... and isn't that what brakes are for...
i don't know about you but for me buying brake pads is cheaper than a new tranny/clutch
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #6  
20civic01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
20civic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
pretty much everything they said. i shift at 2000-2500 rpm when i want to save gas though.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #7  
CuRiOuSfIsH's Avatar
Back From The Banned!
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,226
Likes: 0
From: Queens, New York, US
Rep Power: 338
CuRiOuSfIsH is just really niceCuRiOuSfIsH is just really niceCuRiOuSfIsH is just really niceCuRiOuSfIsH is just really nice
Originally Posted by LowSky
i heard down shifting to slow down is bad for the car... and isn't that what brakes are for...
i don't know about you but for me buying brake pads is cheaper than a new tranny/clutch
not bad for the car, just wear out the clutch faster as you said.....
as for driving in traffic, stay a good distance so you wont have to constantly engage and disengage the clutch..... which could lead to tiring out your leg and wearing out clutch.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #8  
20civic01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
20civic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by LowSky
i heard down shifting to slow down is bad for the car... and isn't that what brakes are for...
i don't know about you but for me buying brake pads is cheaper than a new tranny/clutch
when i lived in Colorado, i used engine braking a lot to slow down going through the mountains. you can burn your brakes up pretty good if you're constantly riding them in downgrades. this was probably on older cars, but i've heard stories of people's brakes glowing red after riding them down a steep downgrade.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #9  
Rufus's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Rep Power: 379
Rufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud of
What he said. Engine braking is for diesels
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #10  
PennyKnotOff's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,738
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Carson
Rep Power: 333
PennyKnotOff is just really nicePennyKnotOff is just really nicePennyKnotOff is just really nicePennyKnotOff is just really nicePennyKnotOff is just really nice
Yeah i've been shifting at 2500 lately. And I coast to redlights and when ever possible. And if you need to slow down try just letting off the gas rather then braking if it's not necessary It's all about coasting
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #11  
20civic01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
20civic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by Rufus
What he said. Engine braking is for diesels
well, if i'm downshifting to hold my car to a certain speed while going down a hill, wouldn't that be considered engine braking?
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #12  
Rufus's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Rep Power: 379
Rufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud of
Yeah but thats why Honda invented $30 BRAKE PADS
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #13  
MajinB's Avatar
Drunken Master-7thgen Ninja
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,976
Likes: 0
From: georgia
Rep Power: 336
MajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to behold
ok, the mountain thing i could understand. when i went to gatlinburg thats all i did. and you can't help it cause its all about going downhill. if you over use the brakes, the pads won't matter. the lines would overheat and the rotors would also and warp themselves. when needed downshifting is nesseccary.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #14  
Al Gore FTW's Avatar
jdmtytedoridori
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Washington
Rep Power: 330
Al Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of lightAl Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of lightAl Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of lightAl Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of lightAl Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of lightAl Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of lightAl Gore FTW is a glorious beacon of light
rev match, dont just shift.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #15  
LowSky's Avatar
I spend way too much time on this website
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Poughkeepsie, NY
Rep Power: 0
LowSky is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by MajinB
ok, the mountain thing i could understand. when i went to gatlinburg thats all i did. and you can't help it cause its all about going downhill. if you over use the brakes, the pads won't matter. the lines would overheat and the rotors would also and warp themselves. when needed downshifting is nesseccary.
down is different than stop light to stop light
its also why automatic equipted cars let you put the car in 1st or 2nd.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #16  
MajinB's Avatar
Drunken Master-7thgen Ninja
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,976
Likes: 0
From: georgia
Rep Power: 336
MajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to behold
Originally Posted by LowSky
down is different than stop light to stop light
its also why automatic equipted cars let you put the car in 1st or 2nd.
mine is a stick.
and yes rev matching is critical to not burning clutch
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #17  
20civic01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
20civic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by Rufus
Yeah but thats why Honda invented $30 BRAKE PADS
right, which i don't want to burn up driving up and down mountains.
Old Sep 12, 2005
  #18  
diskreet's Avatar
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 2
From: PA
Rep Power: 360
diskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to behold
Originally Posted by 20civic01
when i lived in Colorado, i used engine braking a lot to slow down going through the mountains. you can burn your brakes up pretty good if you're constantly riding them in downgrades. this was probably on older cars, but i've heard stories of people's brakes glowing red after riding them down a steep downgrade.
ive actually heard a man call in where i live to ask why his brakes caught on fire on his old van (alot of dust on red hot rotors means bad news)
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #19  
02cvcEX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: DFW
Rep Power: 261
02cvcEX will become famous soon enough02cvcEX will become famous soon enough
i didnt know skipping gears was bad =[ it makes shifting a little less tedious and saves gas doesn't it? hehe

i always rev matched whenever i skip gears though. does that make a difference?
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #20  
20civic01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
20civic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by diskreet
ive actually heard a man call in where i live to ask why his brakes caught on fire on his old van (alot of dust on red hot rotors means bad news)
hah, wow, that sucks
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #21  
Rufus's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Rep Power: 379
Rufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud of
Originally Posted by 20civic01
right, which i don't want to burn up driving up and down mountains.

Because replacing bearings in your tranny is MUCh easier right? Trust me I'm not some random 7thgener spouting BS. I HAVE a second 5 speed tranny in my shed waiting for my clutch install because a few bearings DID go bad at about $30 a pop. Do the math there are a LOT of bearings in there. Unless you wanna hunt down which one it is. Use your brakes. They're not gonna turn red. The inertia a Civic creates is a LOT less that a van dude! Use common sense.
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #22  
Ser1N's Avatar
EK Hatch
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 0
From: San diego
Rep Power: 0
Ser1N is an unknown quantity at this point
Yes , how is skipshifting bad? =P new info to me
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #23  
20civic01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
20civic01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by Rufus
Because replacing bearings in your tranny is MUCh easier right? Trust me I'm not some random 7thgener spouting BS. I HAVE a second 5 speed tranny in my shed waiting for my clutch install because a few bearings DID go bad at about $30 a pop. Do the math there are a LOT of bearings in there. Unless you wanna hunt down which one it is. Use your brakes. They're not gonna turn red. The inertia a Civic creates is a LOT less that a van dude! Use common sense.
hey, to each his own. we each have our own opinions on what's good for our cars. i was personally not comfortable riding my brakes for an hour downhill and rev matched and downshifted when i could and my clutch is still fine at 84,000 mi. so i guess i don't have any common sense, but my car's still fine. wasn't trying to start anything.
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #24  
Rufus's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Rep Power: 379
Rufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud ofRufus has much to be proud of
Neither was I. The point that everyone brought up was that too much time on on your brakes created enough friction to drastically increase temperature. All I was suggesting was that you take into account that nobody had a "civic" story. They all vehicles with a much higher gross weight than your 2600lb Civic. Thats all. Hell, everything in our cars is cheap if you've got the cash. I put a new motor in my car with 12K miles on it for $300 3 months ago.
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #25  
Albo's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: UK
Rep Power: 0
Albo is an unknown quantity at this point
I live in the UK, and have never driven an automatic (cos they're rubbish). Skipping gears aint that bad really although it's not recommended. I do it all the time and all my cars have been fine (said it now!) And as for using revs to slow you down - that's how you are meant to drive. We are actually taught to use revs to slow us down.

Giving the accelerator a quick blip inbetween changing down is a good idea. Saves clutch, keeps the ride smooth and keeps the balance of the car even. If you want to brake and change down while giving the accelerator a blip try braking with the left side of your foot and as you change roll your foot onto the accelerator to blip it. Takes some practice mind.
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #26  
jackburton's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 0
From: HOCO MARYLAND
Rep Power: 281
jackburton will become famous soon enoughjackburton will become famous soon enough
Never skip upshifting, it will wear out synchros. Skipping a gear down shifting is fine as long you rev match. There is a way to skip a gear upshifting but it is not really owrth it, just use each gear. You should also try and stay in the highest gear possible to conserve gas. As for "engine braking" in a civic, if the grade is steep enough you will have to or the ***** gonna hit the fan, does not matter that our cars only weigh 2600lbs.
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #27  
ragingSPAM's Avatar
I just burnt my tongue
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills, CA
Rep Power: 319
ragingSPAM is just really niceragingSPAM is just really niceragingSPAM is just really niceragingSPAM is just really niceragingSPAM is just really nice
going from lets say 2-4 gear isnt a problem...or 3rd to 5th...the synchros will not wear out as long as the clutch is depressed...

also do not ride your clutch in half way or so...if you are stopped at a light or a stop sign it is ok to have your clutch pressed all the way with the car in gear because when the clutch is pressed all the way its not skidding like a brake pad on the flywheel but its spinning with the flywheel causing no wear on the clutch plate...dont be an idiot and while on a hill go up and down and up and down with your clutch halfway tryin to balance it out cuz ur just using ur $400 clutch as a brake pad while u render your $30 brake pads useless...when u engine brake tap the gas to match revs of the gear your going into and do not let the clutch do the braking while the gear engages because u will be wearing at it very badly and its harsh on you engine components
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #28  
MajinB's Avatar
Drunken Master-7thgen Ninja
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,976
Likes: 0
From: georgia
Rep Power: 336
MajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to beholdMajinB is a splendid one to behold
ok i reading so much **** its starting to **** me off. synchros will screw up NO MATTER WHAT you do when you skipshift. i don't care how much you depress the clutch. if you double clutch then its fine if you skip. but if you don't it will put strain on the syncrhos. 2 to 4th gear is as much of a problem as 1-3 or 3-5. if you do downshifting don't just rely on your motor when your downhill, also use your brakes. its about balance. you should know not to test your luck in extreme conditions.
Old Sep 13, 2005
  #29  
jackburton's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 0
From: HOCO MARYLAND
Rep Power: 281
jackburton will become famous soon enoughjackburton will become famous soon enough
^Actually going from 3 to 5 will wear out synchros unless you literally wait a full second or more for the rpms to drop. It was quoted directly from a honda technician, s2000man has said this repeatedly.
Also what kinda moron would use their clutch like that?
Old Sep 14, 2005
  #30  
Albo's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: UK
Rep Power: 0
Albo is an unknown quantity at this point
This thread is making me laugh. Using a manual isn't that technical! Skip gears if you want, it's not that bad. Just don't be an idiot about it and do extreme skips ALL the time, and remember to rev match changing down (although you don't really HAVE to do that!).

As for going down a hill you SHOULD use your engine to keep your speed steady. Of course you can use your brakes if you need to, just don't ride the brakes all the way down. Each hill and road is different - just use your brain!
And I can't believe anyone is even considering advice about not riding the clutch half way down as an issue that needs to be brought up! which morons would do that?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:40 PM.