Noob stick shift question
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Noob stick shift question I recently went from an Automatic to my first stick shift. Now, this isn't the first time I've ever DRIVEN stick, but its the first time I've ever owned a Stick Shift. Its a 2005 Civic LXG. The problem is I seem to be blowing the shift from 1st to 2nd. 
I'm never sure when this should happen, and I usually wait for the power to start bleeding off at 3K to 4K RPM before I shift but its still seems like I'm the slowest guy off the line...even on McLeod trail with all the normal drivers. Should I shift earlier? Should I chase the revs higher? Everything's good once I get into 2nd, but if I don't chase the revs higher in 1st, then there's serious lag when I get into 2nd. I'm not trying to race anyone, just shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd without lag and keeping up in traffic. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance. 
I'm never sure when this should happen, and I usually wait for the power to start bleeding off at 3K to 4K RPM before I shift but its still seems like I'm the slowest guy off the line...even on McLeod trail with all the normal drivers. Should I shift earlier? Should I chase the revs higher? Everything's good once I get into 2nd, but if I don't chase the revs higher in 1st, then there's serious lag when I get into 2nd. I'm not trying to race anyone, just shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd without lag and keeping up in traffic. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance. 
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Well, for me, shifting at around 3200 or so gives me a fairly smooth transition from 1st to 2nd, but I think it's actually more about the clutch action. If I push the clutch too far in, there is a lag in the shift; if I only push the clutch in about halfway or less, the shift is smoother. The downside is that I've ground gears a couple of times, usually when I'm tired or distracted -- timing becomes more critical, in my opinion, so if my hand's not in sync with my foot, loud, nasty noises result. 
As many others on the site have pointed out, it just takes practice. You'll get the hang of it.
As many others on the site have pointed out, it just takes practice. You'll get the hang of it.
when you switch from 1st to 2nd, kind of hold the clutch when u feel 2nd gear catch. Once you feel it transition into 2nd, you can let go completely. Always push your clutch in all the way, it'll save the life of your clutch.
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IN time you'll get the fell.
And driving stick will be easier.
Hopefully your not stalling all the time
If not, your off to a great start!
And driving stick will be easier.
Hopefully your not stalling all the time
If not, your off to a great start!
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Rep Power: 339 basically, drive to the conditions of the road.... if 1/2 throttle 5K RPM acceleration is needed, then go for it... sometimes not, sometimes for me, shifting at 2K is possible. But as punkin said in time, with practice.... everything will come together
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