Teach Me How To Drive A Stick Please!!

HEY

I am driving a auto Civic LX. I want to do a swap, but i dont know sh** about driving and racing with a stick. PLEASE FILL ME IN!!

THANK YOU

http://www.howstuffworks.com

Start in a level parking lot with no cars.

Push the clutch in... start the car... put the car in first gear... let up on the clutch S-L-O-W-L-Y while revving the engine to about 2,000 RPMs... as soon as you get moving, get ready to hit the clutch and shift into second gear... you'll hear (and feel) when the time is right... repeat as desired for each gear... when you want to brake, hit the clutch, then hit the brake... if you slow down, shift into the appropriate gear for the speed you are going... you will eventually find the friction point for the clutch you are using - use it to keep yourself from rolling forward or backward while you are on small hills in the parking lot.

Don't drive on streets until you are confident in the parking lot. Don't race until you can really drive, or you will be smoked like a Christmas ham. Remember, racing is 90% driver.

ShiftKnob

the only advice i have is let off the clutch slowly....the only thing that is hard at first is getting started .......and if you start to jerk the car around or you dont feel comfortable just push the pedal in

and if you ever want to reverse, to avoid grinding gears (layshaft whatever) once you put it in reverse DONT keep pushing the stick, in case it hasnt gone in (My Civ hates that gear), and always make sure you're completely stopped when putting in reverse. And just one more thing I seen many people do, whenever you're stopped or coasting for a long time, don't keep the clutch pushed in, just pop it outa gear and stay off the clutch please! like this your clutch spring (or something) wont wear and then you'll lose power to the wheels in the long run.
BTW good job on going stick, u'll see its so much more fun, and a hella lot faster, but a pain in traffic jams

Here's a whole thread about us teaching someone to drive a stick, read through it, it's very beneficial. (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t54517.html) :)

Originally posted by Pilot
and if you ever want to reverse, to avoid grinding gears (layshaft whatever) once you put it in reverse DONT keep pushing the stick, in case it hasnt gone in (My Civ hates that gear), and always make sure you're completely stopped when putting in reverse.A way to stop it from grinding when you put it in reverse is to stick it into 1st before hand, and then into reverse.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t54517.html

search my friend

Shiftknob, in your quote are you referring to blipping the clutch while racing?

Searching is all fine and good, but EXPERIENCE is the best teacher my man. Get out on the street and drive, oops, I mean stall out. 1st gear is gonna be a little tricky for ya, and most importantly, stay out of my way!

First, put your left foot on the clutch and depress it all the way to the floor. Press the brake with your right foot. Start the car. Put the gear shifter in first, bring your right foot off of the brake, then pull your left foot off the clutch as fast as possible while at the same time you hit the gas pedal with your right foot and YOU'RE OFF! One way to learn is to scare the crap out of yourself, so enjoy!

And just one more thing I seen many people do, whenever you're stopped or coasting for a long time, don't keep the clutch pushed in, just pop it outa gear and stay off the clutch please! like this your clutch spring (or something) wont wear and then you'll lose power to the wheels in the long run.

yup, you also cut your clutch life in half and who knows, it could be worn out within a year. i know because that's what happen to me.

if i get to a parking lot, and there is a line of cars waiting (moving slowly) do i have to take the car out of gear? can i just leave it in 1st, and press the brake then inch forward slowly like in an automatic?? or will leaving it in 1st bog the engine?

thanks

if you press the brake while moving very slowly and you're not using the clutch pedal it's gonna stall. once you start learning how to drive stick it becomes second nature and you'll do it without even thinking about it.