How do you drive?(MT)

[SoAgg159]

I think this is where it belongs, but I was wondering how do you guys drive your manual transmission car? I've been starting to read/listen to other people and apparently it seems like I'm driving my ms3 like an automatic(ie. shifting into every gear, usually below 3-3.5k rpms).

Recently I've seen/read about skipping gears on upshifting(2-4), double clutching, rev matching, heal-to-toe, downshifting on turns, ect.(sorry if some of this stuff is the same, but I'm new to this stuff). So I was wondering, how do you guys drive?

 

[oaklandopen]

Under normal driving conditions to get the best fuel economy, consult with your owners manual. It will tell you what speeds you should be shifting at (which ends up being between 2500-3000 rpms)

Personally I dotn skip gears, don't heal toe (impossible with size 13wide), or double clutch

I do, however, rev match during downshift to maximize clutch and brake life. But I usually only do that going from higher speeds that require 6th gear, and when I know I have plenty of room to stop/slow down.

But really it ends up as "situation dictates" because driving conditions are constantly changing

 

[meicalnissyen]

Under normal driving conditions to get the best fuel economy, consult with your owners manual. It will tell you what speeds you should be shifting at (which ends up being between 2500-3000 rpms)

Personally I dotn skip gears, don't heal toe (impossible with size 13wide), or double clutch

I do, however, rev match during downshift to maximize clutch and brake life. But I usually only do that going from higher speeds that require 6th gear, and when I know I have plenty of room to stop/slow down.

But really it ends up as "situation dictates" because driving conditions are constantly changing

13 wide, with a nice soft shoe, or barefoot, you should be able to do this modified heel toe.
catch the brake pedal with the ball and big toe, you can brake well enough like that, and roll into the throttle a bit with the edge of your foot to match revs

 

[Domino81]

My Probe was easier to drive. Short clutch throw, short shifter throw. Just a light rap on the throttle and I'm gone. With my Speed I have to put a bit more effort in to reap the same benefits. The clutch on this car makes me feel like a rookie at MTX driving sometimes. So I have to feather and throttle a bit more, usually shifting around 3-3.5k. Usually 4k in 1st. Not the easiest car I've ever driven, though.

 

[destineal]

I drive until the check engine light comes on

 

[horNNEE]

if it aint broke your doin it wrong! nah but serioulsy when im just cruising i shift around 3k. i downshift when im slowing down to a stoplight etc, as long as im not ripping. i never skip gears. and a redline a day keeps the mechanic away.

 

[Domino81]

Your clutch will like you more if you don't downshift.

 

[kaganb]

I shift at 3500 RPM's... I was shifting around 2500-3000 and ended up having issues with the engine sputtering and smoke coming out the tailpipe. Mazda technician said it was caused by excess gas not being burned since I was shifting too early and not letting the turbo work. His actual quote was "Stop grannying the car". He also said that the car was designed to be driven hard and enjoys it, and not driving it hard is actually worse for it than driving it hard.

Since increasing to 3500 RPM's, the smoking and hesitation has stopped and I get as good or if not better gas mileage. My average MPG according to the computer (which I know is wrong) is usually between 24.5 and 26.0 with mixed driving and a decent amount of traffic on the highways. I also use the cruise control as much as possible to let the car use as much gas as needed instead of the constant change of doing it manually which usually results in worse gas mileage.

I also always downshift, and in regards to the clutch liking you more if you don't downshift... that is not true at all. I got 140,000 miles on my Integra's clutch and I always downshifted with it. It's more about how long you keep the clutch in and other poor habits that cause a clutch to go quicker. My brother had a Ford Focus and burned out his clutch in 36,000 miles. The cause was him sitting on the clutch when stopped instead of just putting it into neutral.

In regards to driving, this car is MUCH harder to drive than my Integra... I've had it now for almost 18 months and I still have issues shifting cleanly without the car bucking slightly from 1-2 and 2-3. 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6 are usually very clean shifts.

 

[oaklandopen]

Its actually important for any car/motor to get driven "hard" every once in a while, it helps the spark plugs stay clean and thus everything else kind of follows. But under normal driving I find I drive the way the manual says, which ends up being shifts around or below 3k. And if I need a little more oomph, I make sure I do it in a gear that gives me at least 3.5k. Like if I'm cruising at 60 and want to pass ill go to 4th

 

[jri4]

Flat out....That is how I drive...Flat out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iUKaPlBl8

 

[kaganb]

Its actually important for any car/motor to get driven "hard" every once in a while, it helps the spark plugs stay clean and thus everything else kind of follows. But under normal driving I find I drive the way the manual says, which ends up being shifts around or below 3k. And if I need a little more oomph, I make sure I do it in a gear that gives me at least 3.5k. Like if I'm cruising at 60 and want to pass ill go to 4th

Understood and agreed. My Integra (was a GS-R) was a bit of a different beast than the MS3. I could keep it out of VTEC range (under 4400 RPM's, redlined at 8000) all the time and it would never complain. I thought that the MS3 worked the same way which is why I was keeping it out of turbo and was actually hurting the car by not letting the turbo kick in.

You actually drive yours very similar to how I drive mine now, except I'll cruise between 2.5-3k and shift around 3.5k. ie. 50 mph in 4th is my limit for cruising (3k RPM), 60 mph in 5th (3k RPM), etc. I usually drive around 65 in 6th on the highway which has the needle sitting around 2.5k. I won't cruise higher than 3k RPM though. If I need the oomph, I'll drop it back down a gear.

 

[Domino81]

Occassionally I have an issue with timing, too... shifting out of 2nd into 3rd before the synchros relenquesh control to me.

 

[oaklandopen]

Occassionally I have an issue with timing, too... shifting out of 2nd into 3rd before the synchros relenquesh control to me.

You sure you don't have trouble with the 1-2 shift? I still can't get that one smooth. Seems like the AC always kickes on during that shift so the rpms are never where I think they should be

 

[Domino81]

1-2 is just jurky.

 

[08cosmic3]

Like I stole it.

 

[MikeHTally]

Your clutch will like you more if you don't downshift.

Horsefeathers! Downshifting never hurt anything.

 

[Domino81]

Poppycock! No, seriously. Your clutch will be your best friend if you lay off that s***.

 

[MikeHTally]

I've been driving for over fifty years, a lot of it stick shifts. Never had to replace a clutch. The closest I came was replacing a slave cylinder at about 75K on a Toyota pickup. Downshifting does no more harm than upshifting.

 

[hugador]

I shift at and over 3k rpm. And cruising just below 3k.

 

[oaklandopen]

maybe the term "downshifting" is being thrown around too loosely

the downshifting i utilize is with rev matching, or throttle blipping, whichever. doing this will allow the higher rpms to aid in slowing the vehicle, but at the same time provide the least amount of clutch slippage.

when downshifting while slipping the clutch into lower gears you get maximum slowing, but at the same time you're wearing the clutch material faster than normal. which is why i no longer do this (used to with my first manual car until i actually learned how clutches worked)

and, of course, the last way would be to just not downshift at all. just throw it in neutral and brake the whole way. of course, if you're not going to come to a complete stop during your braking process, you're gonna have to find a gear to get in eventually. this is when rev matching works the best. it provides proper gear selection while keeping a smooth transition. less jerking, less wear

honestly, i think the only time i slip the clutch is during first gear start and reverse. and i don't care what anyone else says, i know im maximizing clutch life