Learning To Drive Stick

[SOBO]

I got a car today, 1998 Jetta Wolfsburg, nice and shiny white,
anyway its manual, so i've been driving in it with mommy and I keep stalling it, i let go of the clutch to fast but im working on it,

Any tips from ou guys on how i can improve/ speed up the learning process?

Thanks

[BullShifter]

Let the clutch out slower & give it more gas.

[rubix777]

you can learn really well on a long trip on the freeway during traffic.

[BullShifter]

Stop on a hill with a $100,000 BMW behind you - then try see how you do. You should have no problems on a level surface after that.

[afroeman]

Let out the clutch gradually. When you're on the accelerator as much as you need it to be then let off the clutch about halfway or so and wait till the car starts to move and then gradually release the clutch completely. just make sure you're already rolling at about 5 mph or so before you completely come off of the clutch.

[rubix777]

I like to rev up to about 1.5 or 1.75, then slowly release the clutch up toth point where it grabs on. You should know when it fully grabs on, cuz you won't feel the slipping any more. You have to know how much you can release the clutch before it starts touching. Once you have this position memorized, just rev up, release quickly up to that critical distance for the clutch, then slow it down by countering it with your ankle, then release it with your leg. If you release too slowly, it'll slip. If you release too quickly the clutch might chatter.

I use the clutch with the heel up, so my whole leg is depressing the clutch, that way I can use some ankle while releasing the clutch to get that perfect shift.

You'll get used to it. Just practice a lot.

Also some weird things will happen after you get the hang of it. Just experiment

[Saki0]

Originally posted by jackasssi
Stop on a hill with a $100,000 BMW behind you - then try see how you do. You should have no problems on a level surface after that.

LOL! I had a similar experience learning to drive stick on my dad's truck. We were stopped at a stop sign maybe a 25 degree incline with a new Audi(A4 maybe) behind us. When it was clear for me to go I rolled back probably 2" then I floored it...peeled out for like 10 seconds. After that I said I had enough for today,you drive back My dad smiled and said alright. Oh well you live and you learn. For me I learned a lot better once I went to some less driven streets and drove around on them. Or a parking lot late at night and practice accelerating from a stop. The more you practice the better you get.

[darkaccord]

Put the parking brake on, and slowly release the clutch until the engine just begains to stall. Keep doing this until you learn where the clutch engages.

[97civichx]

for some reason its always easier learning on your own too without anyone else in the car. like when i learned my dad went along with me and taught me but i really didnt get the hang of it or comfortable until i got to go on my own. prolly has something to do with him yelling and always looking at what you're doing

[blue4g2def]

Just dont be afraid to push the gas. I mean, it might jolt, but stay on the gas and youll be fine. If you ride the clutch too long, it kills the life of it. Just dont be afraid to push the gas.