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Learning manual transmission

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Beamer12
Posts: 3227 - Karma: 46
Im picking up my new car tomorrow (2011 impreza hatchback)/claim and its a stick. I have never touched a stick shift in my life before. Im having my friend drive it home for me and im going to learn from there (much less pressure then driving it off the lot into traffic) So give me some quick tips. Also I know everybody is different but how long did it take you to learn stick.
Oct 12 2010 1:02PM
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Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
Dont they teach that when you do your license..?
Oct 12 2010 4:22PM
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BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
That'd be sick
Oct 12 2010 4:53PM
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Mezmerize19
Posts: 6475 - Karma: 18
Hey if they made a controller for it id be down. I have a wheel and pedal set that has paddle shifters on it
Oct 12 2010 4:56PM
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A.Eberhard
Posts: 4426 - Karma: 415
Fuck that is such a dope car to get! Anyway it's really simple, go to a nice big empty parking lot and just, put clutch in rev it up and slowly let it out and you will feel the gears "grab" and start moving forward. Then just listen to the engine when it starts revving high, foot off gas, clutch in go into second let it out slowly and then gas.

You will probably stall it at least 40 times before you get it all the time. Then just do reverse which is the same as going forward.
Oct 12 2010 4:57PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
ya i was thinking of that one day. the left analog stick should be the clutch and the right analog stick should be the gas, and you have to give some gas while you let go of the clutch and it would be fuckin sick
Oct 12 2010 4:57PM
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flexpattern
Posts: 1090 - Karma: 45
STOP!


I come from Europe


manual transmission is the norm here...

tips to help you...

When you are starting off in 1st be gentle on dropping the clutch, find the "biting point" first and allow the car to start to roll forward, release the handbrake at the same time and apply a (very!) little throttle... the car should start to move forward...
build up speed and listen to the engine note, JUST before the engine sound ceases to increase in pitch, take your foot off the gas, and push ALL the way down on the clutch, select 2nd and carefully rise your foot on the clutch, too fast and your'll wreck the gearbox and wear it out quickly! (be sure to push ALL the way down because otherwise the gear won't fall through the gates and you'll be stuck in neutral while moving which isn't much fun - thats a common mistake)

split second later push the gas pedal back down to roughly the same position it was before you changed gears, repeat for gears 3,4,5 (6?)

For hill starts you are going to need a lot more throttle running before dropping the clutch, otherwise you'll stall!

Remember to release the gas pedal EVERYTIME you change gear, otherwise the engine will rev noisily and you'll look like a n00b who can't drive stick...

hope that helps... PM me for any other tips/questions... nice whip btw!

Oct 12 2010 5:17PM
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inb4_UMAD
Posts: 651 - Karma: 29
it takes a couple of days but then it's radical fun
Oct 12 2010 5:19PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
I know my mom's Forester does. It's pretty much the sickest thing ever especially when you've got stop and start traffic on a hill. You won't roll back AT ALL
Oct 12 2010 5:20PM
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 639
That's pretty much what I tried to say:

"At first the clutch is in and the gas is out, and as you start pressing the gas, start releasing the clutch. If you gave it enough gas you should feel it engage."

How is this any different than what you said? Where in my post did I say to rev up the engine a lot? It's hard for me to describe in words because I'm much more of a visual learner/teacher so maybe it was my word choice. I usually demonstrate what to do by using my hands to mimic the pedals.

I usually give it around 1500 RPMs max if I'm not on a hill with a car close behind me.

I've taught people how to drive stick with great results.

Your advice:"First thing: Find a flat road." Mine: "Start in a driveway or an empty road" (I meant to say flat as well but forgot. A slight decline is also nice to start on because you have more time)

The advice I gave that could be most easily misconstrued is this part: "I would suggest keeping the clutch all the way in and feeling out the gas pedal to see how sensitive it is."
I didn't mean floor it with the clutch in. I meant like lightly test it out so when you first try to start you DON'T burn out your clutch if you panic and give it too much gas when the clutch is too far in. I would never suggest going above 2.5k RPMs while doing this.

Idk what you're really talking about when you dismissed my post as a piece of crap because you didn't address anything in my post.
Oct 12 2010 5:21PM
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MCIRONCOCK
Posts: 3094 - Karma: 30
I just got a manual for an early graduation gift since my old car died I'd never driven on a real road but i had a lot of practice starting on my street (which is a big hill, double whammy). Practice is the key. I've been driving it to school since last wednesday, and i'm already completely comfortable driving around town and on the highway and such. I'm sure everyone else is saying the same thing, but it's all about learning to hit that g-spot when you're starting. Eventually it'll be second nature.

It's just like making love, but to your car.
Oct 12 2010 5:45PM
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fdsa
Posts: 686 - Karma: 19
It requires zero gas to take off on a flat road. Zero. Every person I've ever seen try to teach somebody stick says this accelerator/clutch seesaw crap and it's flat wrong. If you start out letting the clutch out slowly, you need to give the car zero gas.

This is where most learners screw up and consequently burn up clutches. They rev the hell out of the car and thus slip the clutch much longer (in terms of rotations) than necessary.

Let's say you're a fairly bad learner and you're jamming the accelerator to 3000 revs/minute and you take 5 seconds to get off the clutch starting out.

3000 revs/minute * 1 minute/60 seconds * 5 seconds = how many revs?

Leave it at idle (750 revs) and take the same 5 seconds to let the clutch out gently

You slip and wear your clutch much less.
Oct 12 2010 6:04PM
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fdsa
Posts: 686 - Karma: 19
Partially wrong and wrong.

There is nothing wrong mechanically with coasting in neutral. From a power standpoint, it is bad because you don't know when you might need power. Also you will probably go through more brakes because you have no drivetrain losses to help slow you down.

If you are at a stop sign, you should be in neutral with the clutch out. Otherwise, you are still making minimal contact with the flywheel and thus wearing your clutch eeevvveeeerrrr so slightly. Pop it in neutral and let the clutch all the way out. It takes all of 0.5 seconds to put the car in gear once the light changes.
Oct 12 2010 6:09PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I drive a stick, so stick shift is easy.
Oct 12 2010 6:11PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Need for Speed: Pro Street had a clutch button. You had 3 transmission choices, use a manual without clutch or a manual with clutch or just an automatic. It wasn't accurate to the point of stalling the car or anything, but made it a bit more interesting.

I know there has been at least one other racing game recently that had a clutch too.
Oct 12 2010 6:14PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
some drivers schools offer manual learning classes in a shit box. i'd take those classes before taking possession of your new car.
Oct 12 2010 6:16PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
Partially wrong and wronger....

Some cars you cannot put it back into first until you are at a complete stop (subaru WRX) some cars you can jam it back in as long as the synchronizing mechanics allow you to (Honda's and Acuras). Pushing the clutch in removes it from the fly wheel completely, the only thing you are wearing out is the pressure plate or springs that push against the clutch and hold it to the flywheel.

Having the transmission in neutral and letting the car roll does nothing. Its an open ended gear in most cars that just spins, no different than any other gear except its not being pushing your drive train. Basically pushing in the clutch and putting it in neutral do the same thing. In most mid level cars you will never wear out any of the parts before you wear out the clutch itself... so just do what you want.
Oct 12 2010 6:18PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
What?

I can downshift in to first while moving in my 2006 WRX.
Oct 12 2010 6:26PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
in the 2004 I could never do it.... you would just hit moving gears...
Oct 12 2010 6:31PM
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860media*
Posts: 1575 - Karma: 10,519
i have a 2010 impreza hatch, and its also a stick. The thing shifts like complete butter and is a blast to drive for what it is. I only wish the clutch was a bit stiffer. Getting a standard car was the best decision i have ever made.

P.S the car comes with no rear sway bar and will handle 1000% better with one. Very worth the 200 dollars. Stock it body rolls like my moms mini van.
Oct 12 2010 6:31PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
I test drove a few 2004's when I was shopping for my WRX and I don't recall having an issue downshifting in to first with those cars either.
Oct 12 2010 6:33PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
odd... the two I have driven did.. the first time it scared the shit out of me cuz in my Integra I used to have I could shift into 1st anywhere under 25mph and I tried coming to a stop sign and the guy like yelled at me and was like WTF are you doing... you must stop or gears grind
Oct 12 2010 6:36PM
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
don't be afraid to give it more gas than you'd think. when i figured this out was the turning point for me and i got good from there. it took a couple of months, but i wasnt driving very often then either
Oct 12 2010 6:36PM
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evanheath
Posts: 109 - Karma: 7
i would not suggest learning in your brand new car. get a friend to let you practice on his. like everyone said the hardest part is learning to start and stop. this applies especially in reverse like when in parking lots but just drive the car for like a half hour around a neighborhood before moving on to intersections. be sure you know what your doing before you get on the highway. i really cant stress this enough best of luck and enjoy your manmobile
Oct 12 2010 6:38PM
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Broseph_Stalin
Posts: 3745 - Karma: 178
you know how i know your gay?
Oct 12 2010 6:39PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Subaru's 5 speed transmissions are not exactly a shining example of automotive engineering though. They are far from precise and personally lack an enjoyable shifting experience. I know their 6 speeds are the complete opposite. Audi 5/6 speed's that I have driven have all shifted better than any of the Subaru 5 speed's that I have driven. Smoother shifting with a more precise feel when you put the transmission in to it's intended gear.
Oct 12 2010 6:42PM
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
Ok, I am a mechanic so here are a few tips to help reduce wear on the transmission/ clutch as a whole.

1. as stated before here, you can start the car from a stop with no gas at all but keep in mind clutch wear is effected on how long you keep the pedal depressed... the longer the pedal is not at rest, the more wear that is done to your clutch.

2. do not rest your hand on the shifter, resting your palm on the shifter can wear the shifting fork internally in the transmission. Within the last 3 months, we have had a transmission in for this EXACT issue.

3. Do not downshift. clutch/flywheel combos are far more expensive than a set of brakes. Take the car out of gear and come to a stop.

4. You will know when you are wearing your clutch from the smell that will come into the cabin that smells like burning hair. Clutches can take a fair amount of abuse, they show most wear while in stop and go traffic and can sometimes puff out some whiteish smoke from the engine bay.

Honestly, I wouldnt worry about it. You will figure it out in 30 minutes. The hardest thing to learn is hill starts, but when you figure out the friction point of the clutch when it starts to engage, it will be a snap. Until you are quick at finding the friction point use the park brake when on an incline and start to let the clutch out slowly... when you see the idle speed of the engine dip a little lower than normal that means you have hit the friction point, at that point let the park brake down and you should be at a standstill on the hill and just gas a tiny bit and you are away with no roll back.
Oct 12 2010 7:57PM
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
I forgot to add, if the car is rolling you never should put it into first gear regardless if their is syncro mesh or not. Not only can it damage your syncro rings, it could possible over rev your engine since youre still new to the car. There is never a reason to be in first gear besides take off, you can be rolling at 10km an hour and you should still use 2nd gear.
Oct 12 2010 8:00PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
true... some us like to jump the gun though when were breaking to a stop sign and want to rip out of the California stop...
Oct 12 2010 8:08PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
have fun blowing out your clutch and paying to replace it

just take it easy, don't be overly aggressive, and you'll be proficient within a week
Oct 12 2010 8:12PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
3. This is a very good point, every one talks about engine breaking and all this shit like its the best thing since sliced bread. All this does is wear on a lot of things (Clutch, Engine, Transmission) which are a LOT more expensive than your breaks.

4. If you're burning your clutch like this STOP and start over.


But the most important point is:

STAY CALM

you're going to stall your car a couple times for sure. You'll probably be in traffic, other people not understanding are going to start honking at you and you'll probably just stress and do even worse.

If you're on a steep hill at a light this is 1000x more true, STAY CALM, if you have to roll back on to their bumper do so. Just CALM DOWN.
Oct 12 2010 8:14PM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
i dunno if anybody has suggested this yet BUT.

some rental car places offer cars in manual, go there, rent the standard transmission car from them, learn to drive stick on it, return the car.

how my sister learned.
Oct 12 2010 8:50PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
never thought anything of it but just got my 03 wrx a few weeks ago and its hard as shit to down shift to first when rolling, never thought twice of it just had to jam it a little
Oct 12 2010 9:00PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Heh that reminds me when I worked at a car dealer ship we'd make every person from finance to carwash learn how to drive stick.

How did we teach them? Some assholes brand new car of course.....
Oct 12 2010 9:02PM
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MCIRONCOCK
Posts: 3094 - Karma: 30
So sometimes i'll be rolling up to a stop sign, like under 5 mph for sure, and i'll push in the clutch and put it in first while i roll to a stop. Is that bad to do?
Oct 12 2010 9:07PM
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fdsa
Posts: 686 - Karma: 19
Yes. And why are you sitting at a stop light with your clutch in anyway? You are wearing parts that there is no reason to wear. Your springs, your throw out bearing, and others. Put it in neutral and chill, or don't. Your clutch.
Oct 12 2010 9:24PM
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ted.d
Posts: 976 - Karma: 53
My drivers ed instructor used to say "Master the friction point you have to" in a yoda vioce. hahaa he was so weird
Oct 12 2010 9:26PM
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Bukkakeskitrip
Posts: 5677 - Karma: 95
uh, so he can learn?
Oct 12 2010 9:32PM
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fireballin
Posts: 392 - Karma: 13
1. completely turn off the music so u can hear your engine when first starting. its key to determine when to shift.
2. at red lights put the car in neutral which keeps you from having to keep the clutch depressed the whole length of the light.
3. dont plan on talking on the phone/texting/smoking/ eating while driving, its just too much going on until you clearly get the hang of it.
4. If your in a sketchy situation in which u could potentially roll back into the car behind u if your on a hill, pull the e brake while stopped, take your foot off the brake, rev the engine like a normal start and right when u let your foot off the clutch release the e brake which will prevent you from rolling back.
Oct 12 2010 9:34PM
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clark.
Posts: 308 - Karma: 14
Yes it wears out the parts slightly faster, but it's much safer and more accepted to keep the clutch in and keep the car in 1st gear at a light.
Oct 12 2010 9:38PM
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Moonshine
Posts: 903 - Karma: 398
by now everyone has said everything. but...
i actually just bought an 04 impreza stick, the car is sick.

my tips would be - find friction point by putting it in first then slowly releasing on the clutch. you'll know the point when your gear shifter starts to shake, and if you let off too much you'll stall.
- make sure you can stop and start on a hill before you go out and just drive
- BE SLOW. slower than you'd think. fast you'll stall, slow it will just take an extra two seconds (literally) and you'lll drive away smoothly
- dont pull the e brake and drift in front of your coach
Oct 12 2010 9:39PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
start slow

like everyone has said, no distractions, listen to the car. become one with the machine you must (yoda)

dont pus out and use the Ebrake on a hill, learn the fast footwork

but in the end you really just need to learn your clutch and where the magic spot is
Oct 12 2010 9:43PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
I agree, I coast up to lights in neutral sometimes but usually have my car in gear when i'm at a light. Just because I know if i'm rolling I can get it in 2nd and take off really quickly, if i'm at a light, i like to have it in first with so I can again, take off quickly.

Oct 12 2010 9:46PM
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MCIRONCOCK
Posts: 3094 - Karma: 30
Actually i meant a stop sign, not a stop light. Like, when you're the only one at a four way stop and you only stop moving for a second, then you get going. Is it better to just coast in neutral, then shift into first while you're just barely moving?
Oct 12 2010 9:48PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
try to avoid being the first one at a light when youre first starting out. instead keep a bit of distance between you and the car in front so you get a chance to start slowly without stalling.
Oct 12 2010 9:50PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
forza 3 has a clutch.
Oct 12 2010 9:56PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
This.

+ k to you, sir.
Oct 12 2010 9:57PM
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fdsa
Posts: 686 - Karma: 19
Better not to downshift into 1st while moving. 2nd, fine. Not 1st.
Oct 12 2010 10:01PM
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steezbox
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 701

Hardest part will be just starting and putting it back into first in a timley manner. Hills are very scary at first. It helps a lot to start using the handbrake. Handbrake so that you dont roll back and rev the engine - from there it's like regular shifting into first. You will still roll back, but not as much.

It's all about patience. After you get the hang of it (which you will even if you think you won't) it becomes second nature. Not more work at all.

Oct 12 2010 10:03PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
^^^

Yeah.

When I was learning stick, I made the mistake of doing that a few times, I stalled out and looked like a dweeb.
Oct 12 2010 10:04PM
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AntifreezeSteeze
Posts: 1643 - Karma: 53
practice in a parking lot or around your home, find a place where you can stop, keep your foot on the brake, and find the point where the clutch begins to engage, you'll hear the difference in the engine which is when you can remove your foot from the brake and put it on the gas. keep your foot at that spot and slowly give it more gas while slowly releasing the clutch so you don't have a choppy start. start off like that and in no time you'll be able to do it without the brake. if you're on a uphill you can also use your e-brake when you're trying to find the point of engagement but that is also something you will get the hang of.
Oct 12 2010 10:15PM
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