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I have a 5 speed ex. The car runs great. I can drive stick well enough to not stall out, basic downshift. But, I have no one around here to really help me out for all my manual driving questions. This is my first stick shift, so if you're going to hate, hop off

Anyway, the biggest (and quite frankly the only) problem I have is shifting smoothly. smoother downshifts come with experience and rev match practice, that's fine. but upshifting is just clutch-change gear-release. Starting out in first I gotta rev up to a point where I will know the car will take off smoothly. I can never get the clutch to catch at that perfect moment. Sometimes I'll see people regulate the throttle rapidly before releasing the clutch (quickly giving and releasing the gas pedal when the clutch is engaged, then release the clutch). Why do some do it this way? How about when shifting into a higher gear, I do the obvious clutch, change gear, and release, but it's very jerky when I do (this is when I release the clutch without really letting it slip). I release the clutch slowly and the jerking eases up, but I always thought this was unhealthy for the clutch? Please, this is probably the most important for me to understand.

Also, when downshifting, when is it best to downshift? Let's assume I'm on flat ground coming to a right turn where I have to go from 3rd to 2nd, is it better to downshift before, during, or after the turn? I find that if I downshift while making the turn it distracts me slightly (I've only been driving stick for a week so I'm still very conscience of my hand and leg movements). The advantage to downshifting mid turn is that I can take off a bit quicker.

Also, if you have any advice on other driving methods, I am always willing to learn. thanks!

 
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These are all very good questions. Driving a stick is mainly practice. The more you do it the better you get. I have been driving stick for about 5 years and occasionally will stale at a light.

The way that I was taught and something that I think will help you out is clutch control. Next time you get some spare time go out in your car, start it up, and try getting it to move without using the gas pedal, just the clutch. This is a very good exercise that allows you to get a good feel of the clutch. Let the clutch out very slowly, and once the clutch is all the way out and the car is moving (don't touch the gas pedal) then stop, and do the same thing in reverse. Repeat the above steps until you have a good understanding of how your clutch engages and where.

A stock clutch allows some slipping so that you can engage it more smoothly. I always let it out slowly so that the car does not jerk. A race clutch has a harsh engagement so it's not the smoothest transition between gears. I guess by "slipping the clutch" to engage it more smoothly you could be hurting it but I don't know. I have 150K on my clutch and its still hanging in there.

If you have a lightweight flywheel and you take off from a light you need to rev the engine to a higher RPM in order to get it to move because of the reduction in mass. This might be what you are seeing when other people do this. It also sounds cool if you have a nice exhaust and gets you off the line quicker.

You should downshift before the turn. The reason for this is to keep you engine RPM's up in the power band (The D17 does have one, its just not a lot). You want to enter a corner as fast as you can, and exit as fast as you can. With not very sharp corners you may be able to keep the RPM's up (4k) and get the car around the corner and have plenty of power left to get out of the corner. This is something that will come with experience also. You will be able to see the corner and know your car well enough to determine if a downshift is necessary. Rev matching is important for corning fast but not for everyday cruising corners.

 
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It sounds like you're on the right path. Thinking about it is a great first step. I blip the throttle when I pull out, I guess I picked it up with my Prelude. It does have a light flywheel ( which I like a lot!). Practice will make things smoother. Don't obsess about slipping the clutch. The problem is really when your at a stop and riding it, or using the clutch to hold the car on a hill. That beats on it not a little slip between gears.
Are the motor mounts in the car old?? I have seen cars with motormounts that are loose and they are near impossible to drive smoothly. Update them it they are old. I did mounts in my car and love the smoothness it has created when driving (but it vibrates like crazy at idle, worse with the A/C on) I have to say the motor mounts are one of my favorite mods.

I don't down shift very much at all, only to find the proper gear for hills, turns and the like. I never down shift for stops or lights. I pop it in neutral and use the brakes. Brake pads are cheap and easy to fix. Clutches, big cash!

I think, really for you, practice will fix things. Don't worry about motor mounts etc., get the skills down. Give yourself a little time (and credit) to learn the skills. You will be fine.

 
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Thanks guys. I know at what point my clutch catches, im just getting used to holding the RPMs long enough to smoothly take off. If i have any more questions, ill post here