Noob 5speed Driver...Needs Advice..

[Akaveli]

I recently brought a 06 White 5speed Hatch and its my first manual car. I'm learning how to drive stick with it. I'm went from an Auto to a Manual. Talk about almost a night and day difference.

Once the car is in Motion and I'm switching from 1,2,3 everything goes smoothly. Once I come near a stop sign or traffic light the drama begins. Just about EVERYTIME the car shuts off when I try to drive from a stop point. (bang) Foot on the clutch, shift to 1st, then ease off the clutch at the same time apply gas. Car goes....PUTT..PUTT..JERK JERK....Shuts Off!. After about 5 or 6 times, I'm pissed I try again and next thing I know I'm peeling off. What am I doing wrong here!?! This also happens when I put it into reverse.

 

[Hyun]

first is first. Read how clutch and manual transmission works. Then find even ground, the slowly let go your clutch without pressing gas. Car will move forward and you will feel engagement point. Try couple times. Until you feel comfortable where engagement point is. Then try using gas and clutch at the same time.
Practice makes perfect.

 

[jersey_emt]

Just keep practicing. It takes time to get that right.

Here is something I recommend you try:

1. Take the car to a large, empty parking lot.
2. From neutral, clutch in and shift to first.
3. VERY SLOWLY let the clutch out until you JUST START to inch forward.
4. Clutch in and brake to a stop.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 many, many times (several dozen).

This will "train" your foot into knowing the exact point the clutch starts to grab, and will help you with your stalling problem.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Even ground is key. LOL.

1. start the car
2. release ebrake
3. engage clutch
4. shift to 1st gear
5. slowly let clutch out until you feel the car move forward
6. that's when you know to push the gas pedal

Repeat.

This will give you an idea how much your foot has to travel and where the clutch engages and disengages.

 

[Akaveli]

funny thing is, a couple times I forgot I was in a manual car. I press the brake and tried to shift.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Just keep practicing. It takes time to get that right.

Here is something I recommend you try:

1. Take the car to a large, empty parking lot.
2. From neutral, clutch in and shift to first.
3. VERY SLOWLY let the clutch out until you JUST START to inch forward.
4. Clutch in and brake to a stop.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 many, many times (several dozen).

This will "train" your foot into knowing the exact point the clutch starts to grab, and will help you with your stalling problem.

Ah s***..beat me to it haha

 

[mspMee]

try facing up a steep hill (drinks) !

All kidding aside, what these guys said will work; it just takes practice. Eventually you will be driving it while on the phone and sipping a cup of coffee with no troubles at all. However, I don't suggest doing that!

 

[Hyun]

i can shift just by staring at my shifter. xD
if your on a hill, stuck at a light and there is traffic behind you.. then peel out ^_^

 

[ChopstickHero]

the key is to learn the engagement point. that will prevent you from peeling out. the problem is that you are letting go of the clutch to soon and adding too much throttle. the clutch grabs quickly and b/c of too much throttle, it peels a little. for reverse, you actually don't have to let your clutch out all the way. you don't go fast enough to warrant a full release of the clutch pedal.

to prevent from stalling as easy, start by giving it a little throttle and revving to 1500rpm and holding it. then slowly let go of the clutch. you will feel the engagement point, hold it there until it fully catches, and then release the clutch pedal fully. practice this. you should keep constant throttle. don't feel the need to press down alot. you don't have to.

 

[Akaveli]

Thanks for the Advice. I shall try again tomorrow.....

 

[roadie]

I've yet to drive a stick shift car myself and if I'm able to afford the MS3, then I will take all this advice with me on the road. Wish me luck

 

[Akaveli]

I've yet to drive a stick shift car myself and if I'm able to afford the MS3, then I will take all this advice with me on the road. Wish me luck

Its crazy. Everyone I asked about it said " Oh its easy to drive, easy to learn. "..Yea Right!

 

[B1GHAM]

Its crazy. Everyone I asked about it said " Oh its easy to drive, easy to learn. "..Yea Right!

well it IS easy, but for those who have never done it before, it takes time to adjust. Whats even worse, is no one car is alike. Every clutch has a different feel, every shifter has its own quirks... so it may take some time.

use the advice that people have given here. thats the best way to drive. you HAVE to learn the engagement point of the clutch.... without learning that, youre done.

dont worry, youll pick it up in no time. and in a few months it will be second nature. There are days that I dont even put thought into the fact that Im shifting... I just do it without realizing it.

 

[MadOzodi]

Once you feel comfortable on even ground, I'd suggest you find yourself an incline (parking lot or driveway) and practice "balancing" your car on that incline with throttle and clutch. That will better teach you how much throttle you need, how much you let the clutch out, where the grabbing point is on the clutch.

I've been driving a manual for 16 years and still have trouble with my Speed3, so don't get discouraged. What I wouldn't give for direct cable linkage on the clutch! The MS3's clutch is hydraulic, right? Well, feels that to me at least.

 

[ReFlex]

Basically quote what everybody else just said...Main thing is driving ALONE and not with your buddies who swear the can drive stick...One last thing, curse those who are on your ass at a incline situation...lolj/k

 

[benben84]

Basically quote what everybody else just said...Main thing is driving ALONE and not with your buddies who swear the can drive stick...One last thing, curse those who are on your ass at a incline situation...lolj/k

Who cares if they ride too close to your bumper behind you, we are all taught to stop so you can see the bottom of the tires of the car in front of you. If they want to stop so close to you scare them by rolling backward, I've made people that do this to me use reverse to get further away from me. It's funny.

 

[shark77]

Once you feel comfortable on even ground, I'd suggest you find yourself an incline (parking lot or driveway) and practice "balancing" your car on that incline with throttle and clutch. That will better teach you how much throttle you need, how much you let the clutch out, where the grabbing point is on the clutch.

Just don't get in the habit of doing that; like at lights ect... Premature clutch wear.

 

[ReFlex]

Just don't get in the habit of doing that; like at lights ect... Premature clutch wear.

Very true...BenBen84 see now you for sure scared Akaveli to be near any hills...

 

[Akaveli]

Who cares if they ride too close to your bumper behind you, we are all taught to stop so you can see the bottom of the tires of the car in front of you. If they want to stop so close to you scare them by rolling backward, I've made people that do this to me use reverse to get further away from me. It's funny.

LoL

 

[benben84]

Very true...BenBen84 see now you for sure scared Akaveli to be near any hills...

naw, once he practices and tries it on a hill he won't be scared. If anything just peel out to avoid rolling backwards in an emergency or what not. Imagine teaching someone to drive stick that once thought that he could do (forward)donuts in his FWD car!! He now drives stick but still doesn't know how to drive, if you know what I'm saying.