MY first stick

[ricergurl]

my new car is a 5spd now iv driven my friends cars around the block but iv never had one for a daily driver.. i was just wonderin if im just bad or am i just not used to it yet..iv only had it a week..i have a bad habit of dumping at2-3k...im getting better but my morale is low..i need some encouragement

[colechaney]

Just drive around as much as you can, it will become instinct and you will not even think about it. I look back and laugh at the retarded things I did when I was learning.

[ricergurl]

hah it always seems like i wanna race because i constantly squeel tires..im getting better about launching thoguh

[Bryan8412]

Yeah, the best thing is to drive it daily and to get a feel for it. The worst thing to do is race it already. You'll end up ruining your transmission or your engine if you screw up a shift, dump the clutch too high, or downshift too much. Just remember the basic rules:

1. Never downshift to first (unless going under 20mph, even then be wary)
2. Always use the clutch
3. The redline means you have 500rpm before the engine blows up, so shift quickly if you're racing.
4. Be wary of speeds when downshifting. Obviously don't downshift to 2nd going 100mph, you'll destroy the engine, and make sure you're extra careful when downshifting (going for 4th and getting 2nd, bye bye engine if you're going too fast)
5. Easy on the clutch, don't sidestep it, and be wary of revving when it's still catching and beginging to engage, that wears it alot and will cause slippage.

I recommend you go to http://www.howstuffworks.com/ and read about manual transmissions if you haven't already, it gives you an idea of what you're doing at all times and helps you realize the limits of what you can do.

Also regarding you being bad, don't sweat it, once you learn its like riding a bike, and as a daily driver you'll learn quickly (you'll have to )

good luck

[CustomBlackCivic96]

i have had my first 5spd for about 2 months now ....and it was hard once i first got it but i dont even think about it anymore ...dont worry you will be fine

[ricergurl]

riding the clutch and dumpign too high just messes up the clutch
1> my car wont let me shift into first unless im stoped and going very very slow..
2. the rev limiter keeps you from blowing up
3. anyone who down shifts to 2nd doing 100 should be shot and that will bend your valves
iv checked out how stuff works and it makes sense but it think its just soemthing u get used to im doing like you aid and driving as much as possible..thanks for the advice

[Bryan8412]

some cars shut off the fuel 500 rpm past the redline, others don't. I'm not sure if yours has a rev-governor or not, but even if you have it i wouldn't push it.

[kicker1_solo]

Originally posted by ricergurl

3. anyone who down shifts to 2nd doing 100 should be shot and that will bend your valves

I've down shifted into 2nd at 95 mph. I was in my cousin's chevy though. It's not bad for it as long as you don't let it out all the way. Just let it out a tiny bit at a time and keep it between 3k-6k rpm.

[kicker1_solo]

Originally posted by ricergurl
i was just wonderin if im just bad or am i just not used to it yet..iv only had it a week..

yes, most likely you are bad.
not tryng to be mean, but it's the truth. 99% of people are bad when they first start out, you don't get good until you practice more. So like everyone else is saying, just give it time and get lots of practice.

[ricergurl]

well its not like im starting from scratch..i have experiance just not this much..hills seem to be th eonly problem i know how to shift..

[kicker1_solo]

Originally posted by ricergurl
hills seem to be th eonly problem

is it starting off from hills that you're having a problem with?

[ricergurl]

yea im afraid im gunna roll back on the a**hole riding my a** up a hill.

[kicker1_solo]

Originally posted by ricergurl
yea im afraid im gunna roll back on the a**hole riding my a** up a hill.

well after tons of practice you'll learn to do this:
when pulling up to the stop sign, start to slow down, but don't stop completely. When you're about to stop, get off the brake and let the car roll to a stop by itself with your feet on the gas and the clutch, no brake. And when the car comes to a stop, just hold it there by lightly letting out the clutch....giving it little gas if you need to. I would suggest finding a hill that nobody drives on and practicing. When I was learning to drive, when I was about 13, I practiced this for about a half hour each day. After a week or so I got it down, and now I do it without even thinking about it, just a habit. Hope that will help ya

[ricergurl]

im just a big scared baby.. i practiced today and did jsut fine but im retarded

[kicker1_solo]

Originally posted by ricergurl
im just a big scared baby.. i practiced today and did jsut fine but im retarded

lol, you'll get used to it and think back and laugh