Manual Transmission Tips

[MacAttack7]

Barefoot definitely helps a lot. I still HATE taking off on steep hills. You have to move so fast & the throttle is so freaking sensitive that it seems near impossible to get a good takeoff. (easier if using the handbrake, but I'd like to be able to do it without the handbrake)

 

[StealthWyvern]

What he said. There's no reason to be scared of high revs as long as you're (up)shifting smoothly. Downshifting calls for a little more caution because the rev limiter won't always save you.

Rev limiter only works when your on the gas.. rev limtier will not prevent you from over reving the engine if you down shift at to high of a speed.

 

[Phontsolo]

Best way is to use slippers.... just kidding.

 

[fam]

lol ive been barefooting it on the way home in the summer with flip flops in the passenger seat for the change when I stop...but honestly...after 4k miles....Ive gotten SOOO much better with her...Engine has naturally gotten a little louder.

 

[genericmoniker]

Reading this makes me feel much better. I still occasionally stall when I let up on the clutch because I think I'm on the throttle. I've contemplated getting a catback, but just can't justify it this early in her life, hopefully it gets easier, I'm still at 1300 kms.

 

[dqniel]

I haven't had stalling issues, but I think that's because the car seems very similar in its ratios to my 2007 Mazda3. I agree that it's very, very hard to hear though... so I could see why people would stall.

 

[Clod_King]

I thought I was just rusty before I read this, thank god... I only have just under 900 kms on my car, so I guess I still have learning time.

I find that I am usually riding the clutch to get a decent launch, and I know that it's bad, it's just hard to find the sweet spot. I can sometimes get a good launch, and can usually grab second without too much hassle. Every other gear is fine though.

 

[fam]

AC off and tsc off helps make it smoother

 

[dsgrey]

It is an odd thing to complain about but I have the issue too. Especially on hills. You can't hear the engine nor feel the rpms through the stick shift. All my prior sticks were louder or you could at least feel the rpms through the stick.

 

[genericmoniker]

I'm sure it doesn't help that this is the first car I've driven in 5 years. Add to that I've only ever had very brief experiences with manual cars. On the bright side, my shifts are getting smoother, and I'm stalling much less frequently.