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Is stick really that hard to drive?

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garrettwiz
Posts: 2662 - Karma: 34
me and my siseter just got a new car and i suck at using the stick shift... any pointers?
May 3 2009 4:33PM
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wh@t
Posts: 6204 - Karma: 51
clutch in, shift, release clutch
May 3 2009 4:34PM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
for a uncoordinated douchebag like me that is the hardest thing in the world to do.
May 3 2009 4:36PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Harder than multi-derivative physics.
May 3 2009 4:36PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
you got a new standard car, without knowing how to drive standard? hmm...anyway, just go to an empty parking lot and practice using the clutch to see where it pops, and how much gas to give it...once you get the feel for the clutch it is very easy and you will be able to drive stick as good as you can drive an automatic
good luck!
May 3 2009 4:37PM
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Tuff_207
Posts: 125 - Karma: 10
It is very hard to learn clutch but once you learn it, it becomes second nature.
May 3 2009 4:40PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
step 1: go halfway up a big hill that nobody drives on
step 2: release the clutch part way
step 3: using the gas and engage point of the clutch just work on rolling the car back and forth from slightly rolling backwards to driving up the hill
this gives you a feel for the engage point of the clutch and how much gas you need to get the car going
it should help a lot
if you can't do that, just drive around a stick and in 2 weeks it will be 2nd nature to you
May 3 2009 4:40PM
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ECfreeski3
Posts: 12019 - Karma: 126
yeah there you go. it isnt hard, before you know it it will be subconscious
May 3 2009 4:58PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Haha go to a parking lot and press the clutch in, get to 2500-3000 RPMS and slowly release the clutch while keeping a steady foot on the accelerator.

Practice this balance of starting, shifting is the easy part. Clutch in, shift, clutch out.

Took me 5 minutes to learn at the dealership and I drove my car home without stalling. /claim.
May 3 2009 5:01PM
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cjgncjgn
Posts: 3023 - Karma: 21
its hard like riding a bike is hard or rolling a spliff

its something that seems impossible until it just clicks, usually takes a day or two to get going really solid.

my best advice is just play with the pedal till you find where teh clutch engages and then just go from there, try a parking lot with tiny hills
May 3 2009 5:03PM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11498 - Karma: 327
it will take you a week to figure out and be decent at it. its not that hard.
May 3 2009 5:07PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Then enjoy replacing the clutch in the near future.

There is no need to have RPMs any higher than normal idle when starting from a stand-still in a manual transmission car.
May 3 2009 5:11PM
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hartig
Posts: 8192 - Karma: 10
this is how i learned. no gas, just letting the clutch out smooth.
May 3 2009 5:16PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,891
it takes a bit of practice but you get better and better over time.
May 3 2009 5:17PM
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An10a_Eng
Posts: 2505 - Karma: 26
no. its easy as shit
May 3 2009 5:18PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Most cars that works, some you will need to even out with throttle as you release the clutch to maintain RPMs and to avoid bogging and stalling.

Either way, if your RPMs are >idle speed, you are wearing the clutch at a faster rate.
May 3 2009 5:19PM
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gnarlygoodski22
Posts: 429 - Karma: 18
It makes driving a whole new fun game! great shitttt
May 3 2009 5:20PM
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hartig
Posts: 8192 - Karma: 10
i'm not arguing with you with this next statement.. but with every car that i've ever driven, i've been able to let the clutch out with no gas. when it starts stalling out, you just put the clutch in, then try again, but go slower
May 3 2009 5:24PM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
its not always learn and its second nature tho. for me, ive been driving stick for like 5 1/2 months and still kinda suck. the thing thats always nerve-racking for me is when i have an uphill stoplight and someone if behind me. then getting going just sucks.
May 3 2009 5:25PM
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Ski.Ballet
Posts: 2860 - Karma: 200
All it takes is practice. They key is learning how to feather the gas and clutch simultaneously. Once you go standard you never go back....
May 3 2009 5:25PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Yeah, that actually does work. just not what I would ever do personally, but it would definitely be a good learning experience for a new to manual driver. It would really show the person where the release point is and how to release slowly and smoothly.

It's funny though, once you are used to manuals, you will get in autos and try to press the "clutch" by accident. You look like an idiot because you just stab the empty space where the 3rd pedal is, or you accidently nail the ultra wide auto brake pedal without realizing there is no clutch.
May 3 2009 5:28PM
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hartig
Posts: 8192 - Karma: 10
yeah i mean i dont do it anymore, unless i'm trying to show someone how to do it themselves.. but thats how i learned. the first roughly 10 lessons with my dad, i didnt even get to touch the gas pedal.

and in reguards to that second part of your post, i was driving my mom's forester the other day and i went to go shift.. and pushed in the "clutch" and the car locked up and stopped immediately. i honestly thought i broke it, but then i realized that i slammed on the brakes instead of the clutch, hahaha
May 3 2009 5:33PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Oh once I really knew how to drive it I started driving like that.

When I first learned it was easier for me to have the rpms  a little higher...
May 3 2009 5:34PM
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