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Old Oct 7, 2002
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need to learn the clutch shift dance

whats good every one

i'm new here, just gotta 2k2 blk civic hx coupe auto, and believe it or not the guy at the dealership, jay told me about this site...........but thats off topic, my question is a bit embarrassing........ is there a web site i can go to, so i can learn how to use a 5spd , cause i figured it was a no brainer and i originally wanted an 2k3 5spd. Si,for its famous K series engine but after my ........lets call it experiece ...attempting to shift outta the lot, i realized.......i was still a padda-one learner, so please...........help[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG]
Old Oct 7, 2002
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If you REALLY want to have a car as a 5-speed just buy one. Generally, the only difference between the automatic and the manual is the manual has slightly stiffer steering for more overall feel. But anyways... just buy one. The dealership won't have a problem driving it to your house. (Mine didn't even have a problem going there for lessons.) This is what happened when I got my car. I didn't know how to drive a stick but I got it anyway. It's much easier to be taught behind the wheel than by reading because every car drives differently. The 1st and best thing to do is get a car with a manual transmission that you can put your time into. The driver's handbook teaches you somewhat on how to drive a stick but a lil' help from someone experienced won't hurt either.

It took me 30 minutes to get used to it... those 30 MINUTES were very frustrating and I was with a teacher. (And guess what? The first thing I did was hit his car when mine was brand new! It's ok, I only scratched the paint off of my left mirror going slow in reverse and... I dented his minivan BADLY cuz I couldn't find the brake between the clutch and gas.) So anyway, my teacher left and then I just got back in the car... and started driving around like weeeeee! I did it for another 30 minutes and got used to it. A few weeks later and I was completely comfortable with the car.

A few things you should know.

1. You're gonna stall 1st gear a lot.
2. You might end up spinning your tires. (You might attract some attention, too.)
3. If you can drive on steep hills, you can drive anywhere.
4. The more you get used to it, the more you'll realize you have more control of the car than an automatic... whichs equates into more fun driving.
5. Try not to mis-shift. So... (#6)
6. Learn how and when to downshift properly to slow down. (Or to speed up in some situations.)
7. "Double-clutching" does NOT make you go faster! Anyone who tells you this is a ricer-idiot. You won't even have to worry about doing it as it's a technique made for MUCH older vehicles without synchros in their transmission.

It's a worthwhile experience and you'll get it down. Just take some time out to practice. If you have any questions, you can PM me.
Old Oct 7, 2002
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You're not gonna get much experience from reading how to drive a manual....you need hands on experience so go find a friend or relatives car and practice until u feel comfortable or at least where youre able to drive without stalling every couple feet
Old Oct 7, 2002
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Learning stick requires practice. You cannot just jump in and think you can drive like a pro. You should have found someone who would let you drive their stick car before you went test driving. To save yourself the embarassment and to figure out how the car actually drove. In concept it's not hard. Gas and clutch, shift with your hand. All it involves is coordination. No website will teach you how to drive a manual tranny, you neet go out and do it. Find someone you know who has a car with a stick, and ask them (maybe beg) to try driving their car in a parking lot. Do not go find your friend with a Camaro, you'll probably want a whimpy car to learn on, cuz if you gas it too much, or you dump the clutch, you're just gonna sit there and smoke rubber. But remember, chirping tires is better than stalling. I learned on my boss's A4. Quite a nice car I must say [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] My stick experience before buying involved a 30 minute lesson from my boss, a test drive at VW, a test drive at Honda, and taking the car home.
Old Oct 7, 2002
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seriously get someone who knows to help you out b/c you dont wanna be stallin' on a left hand turn. thats dangerous for you and everyone else on the road
Old Oct 7, 2002
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If you have never been behind the wheel of a manual transmission, no amount of reading is going to make you the captain of the Civic rowing team. If you don't have a friend with a manual that you can learn on, then in the great words of Nike "just do it." When I bought my 2K2 Civic, I hadn't ever driven a manual in my life. The dealership wasn't offering lessons, so I drove it over (barely) to a close parking lot and did some starts and stops. The hardest part when learning is getting out of first, so that's all I did for a half hour. The key is no matter what happens on the road, don't get frustrated and DON'T PANIC! Laugh at yourself, restart the car, wave to the guy behind you and drive off. It will take about 2-3 weeks until you feel really comfortable. Good luck and have fun!

Oh, and here's a website for you: Shifting Techniques

Enjoy!
Old Oct 7, 2002
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dude you can learn to drive a stick. when i got my car i didnt know how to. i had my gf teach me. lol i picked it up in 5 minutes. i was driving like i knew how all along. its really simply.

hold clutch to start car.
let off clutch a little bit til you feel the car move.
then when you feel the shifter vibrate a lil put foot on clutch shift into 2nd
when your in 2nd let off clutch and give it gas. simple

like what soniccivic was saying spinning your tires and stalling in 1st gear thats normal. your going to do that. i did that. [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG] i had my car the 3rd day still learning and i must've spinned my tires like 10 times that day. peeps though i was a drunk driver or something. [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG] give it time and you will learn. i had my car for 4 weeks now and i dont stall no more and i dont spin my tires out.
Old Oct 7, 2002
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Just drive one. And LISTEN to the person in the passenger seat. Don't give a shi@t what people think around you, you will probably never see them in your life again. If you are having trouble starting in first, try starting in second gear. If possible, "roll" through stop signs as well. Remember, if you aren't moving, you can't learn...so keep on driving no matter how many times you stall. If you just want to get comfortable shifting, have someone drive the car for you and when they say shift, you shift the car. Sounds gay...but it will get you use to hearing the engine, understanding when to shift, and the like. Matt
Old Oct 7, 2002
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double=clutching.....hahha........ahhahaha
Old Oct 7, 2002
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any tips on stopping and going on a hill... or a area that is kinda steep enough for the car to roll backwards?
Old Oct 7, 2002
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i was pretty familiar with sticks,drove a toyota pick-up before i got my civic.while test driving the car, i stalled pulling out of the delearship,right in front of an 18 wheeler, scared the **** out of me.the civic clutch isnt easy to drive till you get use to it.so buy a stick and have fun,who wants an automatic
Old Oct 7, 2002
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[hr]Originally posted by: jkim1978
any tips on stopping and going on a hill... or a area that is kinda steep enough for the car to roll backwards?[hr]
The car is going to roll backwards a little. Generally, you're responsible for not rolling back too far but you should have more than enough space for the car to roll back and go forward without hitting the car behind you. I remember there was a story about this guy who was teaching his friend how to drive a stick. When they were on a hill, he rolled back... and into a big 18 wheeler... eeek.)

The easiest thing you can do is use the e-brake. With the e-brake on, you can free your feet while the car stands still. When you're ready to go, what you wanna do is as you let off the clutch and give the car gas in 1st, slowly let the e-brake down. It takes a little practice but it's not that hard. This should prevent you from rolling back completely or just rolling back too much. Personally, I wouldn't try and make that a habit because you won't be learning one of the most difficult things about driving a stick... but it does help.
Old Oct 7, 2002
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I think for beginners, the Civic clutch is easy... well, because it's easy! Most newer cars have soft clutches but still have a different release point. If you drove an RSX, Supra or a Prelude's clutch like the clutch in the Civic, you'll be riding the hell out of it because the point where the gears need to catch after gassing the car is closer to you than to the floor. Older cars have firm clutches. My bro's 97 GS-R has such a firm clutch, someone used to a soft clutch would probably stall a bit often. For those who are used to stiffer clutches that had to experience a Civic's clutch later on... well, I hear that they'll either like it (because it's easier), or dislike it (lack of feel for being too easy).

The clutch will stiffen more over time but by then, you'll know how to drive a stick. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
Old Oct 7, 2002
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as for your question about driving on a hill.....someone already beat me to the e-brake technique but another way is this. while at the stop with the car in 1st gear and ur foot on the clutch and brake, keep your foot on the brake while slowly letting out the clutch, VERY slow. bring the clutch out to the friction point, at this point you will feel the car start to shake a little, like it is about to stall. hold the clutch at this point, no further or you will stall. when the light turns green, or it is your turn to go, let off the brake, and with your foot still on the same position on the clutch as before, add gas, and slowly let out on the clutch. this technique works very well for me and sometimes i never roll back, i know how you feel about starting to learn, but you will get it soon, and you will love it because driving a 5-speed is so much more enjoyable in my opinion. well good luck! [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
Old Oct 7, 2002
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U need experience and lots of practice!
Old Oct 7, 2002
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The biggest tip i could give you is that the CLUTCH IS YOUR FRIEND!

When i first started driving stick, i used to always use the gas pedal to get me out of the start of a stall. That works, but not well in traffic [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
I'd suggest going to an industrial park and just tinker around. If you feel the engine start to bog down just simply put your foot on the clutch. Dont be scared to use it instead of gas. I just drove my car around a local Industrial park, practicing on some uphill spots, and just getting an overall feel. Stick to it (no pun intended) and you'll be pro in no time at all. To start just dont worry about downshifting, throw it in neutral and break until you get comfortable.

hope that helps
Old Oct 8, 2002
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don't be intimidated leaning to drive a manual. just find an empty parking lot. with the car in neutral and your right foot on the brake, push in the clutch with your left foot. put the car into 1st gear. with the brake still being applied, slowly...i'll say again, slowly start releasing the clutch. as you start releasing the clutch, pay attention to how the engine sounds and at the rpm in the tachometer. as the clutch starts to grab, take your right foot off of the brake and give the engine minimal gas. only press hard enough to raise the rpm slightly. now continue to release the clutch. the car should start moving forward. once you fully release the clutch, drive like you normally would. when you get to 3k rpm, press the clutch in again, shift into 2nd gear. give the car minimal gas, and let the clutch out slowly again. to keep the car from rolling back on a hill, when your completely stopped, apply the emergency brake. its really not hard, expect to stall a couple of times. good luck [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
Old Oct 8, 2002
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Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: jkim1978
any tips on stopping and going on a hill... or a area that is kinda steep enough for the car to roll backwards?[hr]
half the rimes when i am at a stop sign on hill, I never use my breaks, I lossely hold the clutch and press the gas to balance my stance. get what I'm saying? Works easy, keeps you from rolling back when you wanna start of in first at that light that just turned green.



I rarely ever make full stops at stop signs, just roll the car and pick it up in 2nd.
Old Oct 8, 2002
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My Dads 86 BMW 325 i has a hard clutch, you can really feel your driving when the clutch is heavier. the clutch on our vic is light, people tell me you can forget your foot is on it! I know with harder clutches, I usually think twice about down shifting and braking distance cause it gets so heavy[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/IMG]
Old Oct 8, 2002
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[hr]Originally posted by: SoNiCcIvIc
If you REALLY want to have a car as a 5-speed just buy one. Generally, the only difference between the automatic and the manual is the manual has slightly stiffer steering for more overall feel. But anyways... just buy one. The dealership won't have a problem driving it to your house. (Mine didn't even have a problem going there for lessons.) This is what happened when I got my car. I didn't know how to drive a stick but I got it anyway. It's much easier to be taught behind the wheel than by reading because every car drives differently. The 1st and best thing to do is get a car with a manual transmission that you can put your time into. The driver's handbook teaches you somewhat on how to drive a stick but a lil' help from someone experienced won't hurt either.

It took me 30 minutes to get used to it... those 30 MINUTES were very frustrating and I was with a teacher. (And guess what? The first thing I did was hit his car when mine was brand new! It's ok, I only scratched the paint off of my left mirror going slow in reverse and... I dented his minivan BADLY cuz I couldn't find the brake between the clutch and gas.) So anyway, my teacher left and then I just got back in the car... and started driving around like weeeeee! I did it for another 30 minutes and got used to it. A few weeks later and I was completely comfortable with the car.

A few things you should know.

1. You're gonna stall 1st gear a lot.
2. You might end up spinning your tires. (You might attract some attention, too.)
3. If you can drive on steep hills, you can drive anywhere.
4. The more you get used to it, the more you'll realize you have more control of the car than an automatic... whichs equates into more fun driving.
5. Try not to mis-shift. So... (#6)
6. Learn how and when to downshift properly to slow down. (Or to speed up in some situations.)
7. "Double-clutching" does NOT make you go faster! Anyone who tells you this is a ricer-idiot. You won't even have to worry about doing it as it's a technique made for MUCH older vehicles without synchros in their transmission.

It's a worthwhile experience and you'll get it down. Just take some time out to practice. If you have any questions, you can PM me.[hr]



"7. "Double-clutching" does NOT make you go faster! Anyone who tells you this is a ricer-idiot. You won't even have to worry about doing it as it's a technique made for MUCH older vehicles without synchros in their transmission"

OMG Finally someone else on this board knows that double clutching does nothing for the newer cars!!! [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
Old Oct 9, 2002
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[hr]Originally posted by: bhaz413

"7. "Double-clutching" does NOT make you go faster! Anyone who tells you this is a ricer-idiot. You won't even have to worry about doing it as it's a technique made for MUCH older vehicles without synchros in their transmission"

OMG Finally someone else on this board knows that double clutching does nothing for the newer cars!!! [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG][hr]
rev matching is another story (which is part of double clutching). it does help with the life of the synchro's and provides for a smoother engagment, especially on a down shift.
Old Oct 9, 2002
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[hr]Originally posted by: bhaz413
Quote
[hr]Originally posted by: SoNiCcIvIc
If you REALLY want to have a car as a 5-speed just buy one. Generally, the only difference between the automatic and the manual is the manual has slightly stiffer steering for more overall feel. But anyways... just buy one. The dealership won't have a problem driving it to your house. (Mine didn't even have a problem going there for lessons.) This is what happened when I got my car. I didn't know how to drive a stick but I got it anyway. It's much easier to be taught behind the wheel than by reading because every car drives differently. The 1st and best thing to do is get a car with a manual transmission that you can put your time into. The driver's handbook teaches you somewhat on how to drive a stick but a lil' help from someone experienced won't hurt either.

It took me 30 minutes to get used to it... those 30 MINUTES were very frustrating and I was with a teacher. (And guess what? The first thing I did was hit his car when mine was brand new! It's ok, I only scratched the paint off of my left mirror going slow in reverse and... I dented his minivan BADLY cuz I couldn't find the brake between the clutch and gas.) So anyway, my teacher left and then I just got back in the car... and started driving around like weeeeee! I did it for another 30 minutes and got used to it. A few weeks later and I was completely comfortable with the car.

A few things you should know.

1. You're gonna stall 1st gear a lot.
2. You might end up spinning your tires. (You might attract some attention, too.)
3. If you can drive on steep hills, you can drive anywhere.
4. The more you get used to it, the more you'll realize you have more control of the car than an automatic... whichs equates into more fun driving.
5. Try not to mis-shift. So... (#6)
6. Learn how and when to downshift properly to slow down. (Or to speed up in some situations.)
7. "Double-clutching" does NOT make you go faster! Anyone who tells you this is a ricer-idiot. You won't even have to worry about doing it as it's a technique made for MUCH older vehicles without synchros in their transmission.

It's a worthwhile experience and you'll get it down. Just take some time out to practice. If you have any questions, you can PM me.[hr]



"7. "Double-clutching" does NOT make you go faster! Anyone who tells you this is a ricer-idiot. You won't even have to worry about doing it as it's a technique made for MUCH older vehicles without synchros in their transmission"

OMG Finally someone else on this board knows that double clutching does nothing for the newer cars!!! [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG][hr]
yo yo yo, fawk dat shiet. double clutching you NEED to go fast! word fa sho! they even talked about it in the fast and the furious, and that movie is maad tru.
u had best listen to vin diezel, double clutchin i did and i smoked an '03 svt cobra! man those domestics are maad slo, fa sho. my next race was against this toyota tercel. i was scared word cause dat shiet be an import too. man i was loosin, he was like 4 car lengths ahead of me for like 4 seconds! i dont know why but then he put on his hazzadz and put on the breaks. i was like fawk that we aint up to 100 mph yet, so i flew by him and i WON!!!. yo that guy musta been pushin like 500 hp in that thing, cause i had all my piaas on and was cranking my system, and he was still winning. yo then we stopped and i was like "yo must be rockin maad bling in that car". he said "six valve" and opened the hood. i was stunned, i mean only 3 cylinders! holy crap thats hi-tec. man those street bikez only got 2 cylinders and they flying. no wonder he won, 3 cylinders means you get more mpg than my 4. dayum i gotz to get me one of those light up exhaust tips. and i need a turbo sound...man i saw this website that gives you a bov sound for a n/a car! hella tieght! ill be pushin like 600 hp with dat ish. then ill find that tercel and race him again. then i wont look at his taillights, he be lookin at mine!
Old Oct 10, 2002
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lol even tho it was a joke (i hope for the love of god) thanks for wasting 2 minutes of my life for me to read that worthless post weee
 
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