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Driving a manual car

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patskis22
Posts: 364 - Karma: 1,148
Just copped a Chevy Cobalt with a 5-speed. Tried to drive it yesterday and it was an absolute shitshow. Any useful tips would be much appreciated
May 26 2017 9:46AM
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jjdsteeze
Posts: 2562 - Karma: 4,136
Not a useful tip, but why wouldn't you at least learn the basics before buying a manual car?

Sidenote: I don't drive a manual, but they are fun to drive once you know how.
May 26 2017 10:19AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
think of the Gas and Clutch like two rocks attached by a string and wrapped around a pole. if you want one rock to go up, the other rock has to come down at the same rate. If you want to let the clutch out, the gas has to go down at the same rate. So you let the clutch out slowly and depress your gas pedal slowly. Everyone has issues at first because you're not used to that level of precision with your left foot. Focus on slowly releasing the clutch while you slowly increase the gas.

Also, before you do anything sit at a dead stop in 1st gear and let the clutch out really slow. When you feel the car start the chug, push the clutch back in so the car doesn't die. Do that a few times and get a real feeling for the point in the clutch throw that it actually begins to engage the engine. This is something you should do with every manual car you get into because they all have a different amount of play before you need to start giving it gas. It's another hard concept that you need to get. The engine doesn't engage with the very first movement of the clutch. There's a little room as you let it out where it's not doing anything with the engine. You shouldn't start with the gas until the clutch starts to disengage (when the engine rumble gets deeper).

Driving a stick is very much about the feel of the car. You need to understand what the vibrations and sounds mean to drive it well.
May 26 2017 11:11AM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
OP is clearly a chick. Being able to drive manual is one of the top 3 core requirements of being a man.
May 26 2017 11:24AM
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Session
Posts: 5390 - Karma: 22,293
iFlipOP is clearly a chick. Being able to drive manual is one of the top 3 core requirements of being a man.



Yep. Most dudes these days are unfortunately by definition...Chicks.
May 26 2017 12:07PM
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patskis22
Posts: 364 - Karma: 1,148
CaptainObvious.think of the Gas and Clutch like two rocks attached by a string and wrapped around a pole. if you want one rock to go up, the other rock has to come down at the same rate. If you want to let the clutch out, the gas has to go down at the same rate. So you let the clutch out slowly and depress your gas pedal slowly. Everyone has issues at first because you're not used to that level of precision with your left foot. Focus on slowly releasing the clutch while you slowly increase the gas.

Also, before you do anything sit at a dead stop in 1st gear and let the clutch out really slow. When you feel the car start the chug, push the clutch back in so the car doesn't die. Do that a few times and get a real feeling for the point in the clutch throw that it actually begins to engage the engine. This is something you should do with every manual car you get into because they all have a different amount of play before you need to start giving it gas. It's another hard concept that you need to get. The engine doesn't engage with the very first movement of the clutch. There's a little room as you let it out where it's not doing anything with the engine. You shouldn't start with the gas until the clutch starts to disengage (when the engine rumble gets deeper).

Driving a stick is very much about the feel of the car. You need to understand what the vibrations and sounds mean to drive it well.


Thanks brotha. This really helped.
May 26 2017 12:13PM
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patskis22
Posts: 364 - Karma: 1,148
iFlipOP is clearly a chick. Being able to drive manual is one of the top 3 core requirements of being a man.


Word
May 26 2017 12:15PM
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jjdsteeze
Posts: 2562 - Karma: 4,136
patskis22Thanks brotha. This really helped.


Dang you missed the prime opportunity to say thanks captain obvious
May 26 2017 1:04PM
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corona
Posts: 12805 - Karma: 32,827
Now try driving a manual with a leak in the clutch fluid line so pressing the clutch does nothing. Some might say impossible, I say nay. It actually works half decently. Don't need to have the clutch disengage at all to drive a car.
May 26 2017 1:30PM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Just drive it for a week. You'll be good after that.
May 26 2017 1:42PM
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patskis22
Posts: 364 - Karma: 1,148
VinnieFNow try driving a manual with a leak in the clutch fluid line so pressing the clutch does nothing. Some might say impossible, I say nay. It actually works half decently. Don't need to have the clutch disengage at all to drive a car.


No clutch? U silly? I'm still gonna send it!
May 26 2017 3:00PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
I'm guessing you have a good understanding of the basics behind how a clutch/tranny work together. If not, read up and understand that first.

Otherwise, keep it simple, the best way I've found to teach people is to find a parking put the car in first and let the clutch out slowly, until you get rolling and can fully let the clutch out without stalling or being jerky. but DONT touch the throttle. Do it all with the clutch. See how fast you can do it until you stall, get it close to stalling, depress the clutch to save it from stalling, just get a really good feel of the clutch all throughout its engagement.

Then when you start to do it with throttle you won't be relying on the throttle so much and doing it more with good clutch control rather than just revving the shit out of it and slipping the clutch (16 year old girl style)

Upshifts are easy, just takes time to get them smooth, don't overthink it.

Good downshifts are probably the hardest. Basically the higher your engine is reviving the smoother and slower you will need to be as you let the clutch out in the next lower gear. It's a big feel thing.

Read up on heel toe downshifting. It's infinitely better, I dont know why they don't teach it. Its not as hard as people make it out to be, way smoother, Better on the clutch/tranny, and faster. And I don't know anyone who literally uses their heel and toe, it's more like ball of foot and outer edge.

Then learn left foot braking!
Watch Walter rohrl videos of his footwork. Be like him
May 26 2017 3:14PM
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SkiaNZ
Posts: 125 - Karma: 301
Basically you just need good clutch control. Once your good on the flat try on a hill you can hold a car still just with the clutch and the gas if you do it right. I reckon it's easier and quicker to be able to do that because then u just use the foot brake rather than muck around with the handbrake. Especially if you start stop up a hill in traffic.
May 26 2017 3:53PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13992 - Karma: 49,651
LEARN TO POWER SHIFT LIKE A BAWWWSSSSS.

SLAMMING BEERS AND GRABBIN GEARS

REAL MEN DRIVE WITH TWO FEET

YEEEEEEEEEEE
May 26 2017 10:29PM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,179
Have someone drive you out to a back road then take over and just take in nice and smooth. You'll have it down in less than half an hour.

That's how I learned, and it will become second nature.
May 26 2017 10:42PM
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Dddsz
Posts: 3042 - Karma: 7,326
iFlipOP is clearly a chick. Being able to drive manual is one of the top 3 core requirements of being a man.


It's also fuckin pointless. How do eat food and smoke green while you are fondling your car with your right hand all the time?
May 26 2017 10:59PM
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humpty
Posts: 1190 - Karma: 3,162
just keep driving around and next thing you know youll be able to do it with your eyes closed
May 26 2017 11:09PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
SconnieIt's also fuckin pointless. How do eat food and smoke green while you are fondling your car with your right hand all the time?


Clearly you aren't a true man. I've owned three manuals and presently drive a manual. If you cannot handle eating, texting, and driving stick all at the same time then you may as well just go full Bruce Jenner.
May 26 2017 11:44PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13992 - Karma: 49,651
iFlipIf you cannot handle eating, texting, and driving stick all at the same time then you may as well just go full Bruce Jenner.


this is the most valuable piece of advice I've seen on this site in a while.
May 26 2017 11:45PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,186
SconnieIt's also fuckin pointless. How do eat food and smoke green while you are fondling your car with your right hand all the time?


Eh.. it's not too bad. I mean, if you're in a situation where it's only safe for you to be smoking, eating, or whatever in an automatic car, you probably shouldn't be doing it.

Most the time when you're doing those things you're on a straightaway of some sorts and can just chill in a certain gear.
May 27 2017 12:08AM
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Dddsz
Posts: 3042 - Karma: 7,326
iFlipClearly you aren't a true man. I've owned three manuals and presently drive a manual. If you cannot handle eating, texting, and driving stick all at the same time then you may as well just go full Bruce Jenner.


I'm glad a machine makes you feel good about yourself. Hopefully if fills that empty void in your sad, hopeless life.
May 27 2017 8:59AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13113 - Karma: 18,969
OP made my day.

I had to learn stick on the fly, but being an engineer helps understanding whats going on. Heres a quick breakdown in point form.

-The clutch is 2 friction pads; one on the engine shaft, the other on the transmission drive shaft. when you press on the far left pedal, you are separating those 2 pads...disconnecting the transmission from the engine.

- To start the car, press the far left pedal (clutch) and press the brake, make sure the stick is in the middle (in neutral)

-To shift in first: press the clutch (and brake), place the stick in 1 position and release the clutch pedal SLOWLY! When you hear the engine begin to force, release the brake and give it some gas...only then can you release the clutch completely. If its done wrong, you overload the engine and it stalls.

-Once you are running and going to second gear; press the clutch (no gas) shift, then SLOWLY release the clutch until you feel the engine pick it up...then release the clutch and gas.

hope this helps.
May 27 2017 9:00AM
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Wutever
Posts: 279 - Karma: 262
SconnieIt's also fuckin pointless. How do eat food and smoke green while you are fondling your car with your right hand all the time?


Well you see, you throw it in gear and then eat or smoke like you would if you're in an automatic. You don't "need" to have your right hand on the stick unless you're actually shifting, there's plenty of time.
May 27 2017 1:45PM
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RRhighrider
Posts: 2141 - Karma: 1,141
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/869290/5-Things-You-Should-Never-Do-In-A-Manual-Transmission-Vehicle
Practice and it will become second nature. This video has a few more bad habit that mopst people don't think about.
May 27 2017 3:17PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Just go to an empty parking lot and practice starting from a stop and getting to 2nd like 300 times. You'll be good to go in 2 days.
May 27 2017 3:31PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
freestyler540OP made my day.

I had to learn stick on the fly, but being an engineer helps understanding whats going on. Heres a quick breakdown in point form.

-The clutch is 2 friction pads; one on the engine shaft, the other on the transmission drive shaft. when you press on the far left pedal, you are separating those 2 pads...disconnecting the transmission from the engine.

- To start the car, press the far left pedal (clutch) and press the brake, make sure the stick is in the middle (in neutral)

-To shift in first: press the clutch (and brake), place the stick in 1 position and release the clutch pedal SLOWLY! When you hear the engine begin to force, release the brake and give it some gas...only then can you release the clutch completely. If its done wrong, you overload the engine and it stalls.

-Once you are running and going to second gear; press the clutch (no gas) shift, then SLOWLY release the clutch until you feel the engine pick it up...then release the clutch and gas.

hope this helps.


I feel like you reread your own post and get wood.
May 27 2017 6:30PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13113 - Karma: 18,969
CaptainObvious.I feel like you reread your own post and get wood.


thread was loo long, didnt read
May 27 2017 6:41PM
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corona
Posts: 12805 - Karma: 32,827
patskis22No clutch? U silly? I'm still gonna send it!


Yea no clutch. To start the car you first start in neutral and let the engine warm up completely. Then sink in clutch (even though it does nothing) so you can turn the engine over. When you try starting it the starting motor will jump you forward and if the engine it properly warmed up it should catch and away you go in first.

Shifting with no clutch is easy and can be done on any car. Pop out of gear then match the revs to where the engine would be if you were in the gear you're going to shift into and it should slide in gear. Usually would just apply a bit of pressure on the shifter in the direction you want it to shift and slowly rev up the engine from idle until the syncro mesh lets it pop into gear.

Another fun manual tip most people don't know: On a gas car you can drive at idle engine speed in first or second (depending on gear ratio) and not stall. So if you start driving without applying any gas the car at idle will still drive. On my diesel I can do that in 5th gear on flat. I can idle up hills in 3rd. Diesels have so much torque at idle.
May 27 2017 10:45PM
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Casey
Posts: 7878 - Karma: 24,692
VinnieFYea no clutch. To start the car you first start in neutral and let the engine warm up completely. Then sink in clutch (even though it does nothing) so you can turn the engine over. When you try starting it the starting motor will jump you forward and if the engine it properly warmed up it should catch and away you go in first.

Shifting with no clutch is easy and can be done on any car. Pop out of gear then match the revs to where the engine would be if you were in the gear you're going to shift into and it should slide in gear. Usually would just apply a bit of pressure on the shifter in the direction you want it to shift and slowly rev up the engine from idle until the syncro mesh lets it pop into gear.

Another fun manual tip most people don't know: On a gas car you can drive at idle engine speed in first or second (depending on gear ratio) and not stall. So if you start driving without applying any gas the car at idle will still drive. On my diesel I can do that in 5th gear on flat. I can idle up hills in 3rd. Diesels have so much torque at idle.


Best attempted on cars that don't belong to you. Just jam it in gear until the car starts moving. Actually when your clutch fails and you need to limp into the shop with no pedal it'll get you there well enough.
May 30 2017 8:14PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51757 - Karma: 163,662
patskis22Just copped a Chevy Cobalt with a 5-speed. Tried to drive it yesterday and it was an absolute shitshow. Any useful tips would be much appreciated


Find parking lot. Start and shift through few gears then stop. Start and shift through a few gears and stop.

Biggest thing is figuring out how much gas to give her and where you want the clutch pedal.

Its like anything though. Do it enough and it becomes second nature. At one point were shitting our pants and speaking gibberish so there's always hope.

I fucking hate driving auto card honestly. I mean, I dont have a problem with them, but I would never buy one.

I had shitty advice so my first try in high school was a bit bouncey but youll get it either way.

If the car starts jumping youre not giving it enough gas or releasing the clutch too soon. Dont panic, just adjust.

If youre squeeling like you stole that shit, just give it less gas or let the clutch out more slowly.

The gears go in a pretty smooth order. Might forget which way to shift a few imes when learning but when your rpms drop and you stop accelerating or they spike and tou hear a gnarly rev you know you're going the wrong way.

Pay attention to the sound of your car. You'll get used to it and know whereyou're at with or without a tachometer.

Keep the rpms down when cruising. Youll get better gas mileage and not beat on your engine. That said its a great feeling to drop a gear and slam by someonethat's going slow.

The only time i prefer auto is in heavy start stop traffic.

Keep at it, try not to get frustrated. Like everything it gets easier with time. Eventually its so second nature youdon't thinknof it as a thing just driving.

Good luck!
May 31 2017 2:36AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51757 - Karma: 163,662
MinggLEARN TO POWER SHIFT LIKE A BAWWWSSSSS.

SLAMMING BEERS AND GRABBIN GEARS

REAL MEN DRIVE WITH TWO FEET

YEEEEEEEEEEE


I knowyou can backflip now but Im questioning you're ability to drive standard or even rise a bicycle.

Fight me mingg
May 31 2017 2:39AM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
just remember R is for Race, so if you are cruising on the highway pop it in R for some serious action!
May 31 2017 10:51AM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,355
I've only tried this in a couple cars upon hearing about it, but it's worked in all of them:

-Find a huge parking lot completely clear of hazards (telephone/light poles)
Practice your starts and stops in REVERSE, it tends to be a little more forgiving for learning the clutch and it also allows you to focus just on pedal control ie. not looking up and where to drive, not focusing on the next gear... just you and the clutch/brake/gas

-Pop the clutch a few times, over rev like a mofo, do the dumb shit so you know what it feels like... it's a cobalt and has a fairly forgiving clutch


After that learn parallel parking with cones, because this is a lot of clutch/brake/gas with a small margin for error.

Lastly, make sure you practice hill starts before you get into normal or hairy driving. I say this because stalling on a hill 5 times in a row is an ego crusher (and makes you look like a fucking idiot).

Sparknotes: Watch youtube
May 31 2017 4:01PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1825 - Karma: 7,826
welcome to the club OP, I'm sure I can't be the only one here very proud of you.
My theory is dudes with ADD fuckin NEED that manual trans lol.
best part is you rarely/never get stranded so long as you know what you're doing. I've had multiple friends get stranded somewhere when their auto trans takes a shit because there's nothing you can do about it when it decides to go. with experience (next learn rev matching when shifting gears and dabble a bit in powershifting) and then at least it will be very unlikely that you will be stranded at least you'll get warning as somethings about to go
May 31 2017 10:38PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
really get the feel for the clutch. I'd recommend giving it more gas than clutch when going from a stand-still just to prevent the likelihood of stalling. just takes some practice.
Jun 1 2017 4:45AM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
Not a real man until you can drive stick in ski boots.
Jun 1 2017 5:37PM
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YoungWookiee
Posts: 687 - Karma: 431
PoLaRpEaKNot a real man until you can drive stick in ski boots.


Driving in ski boots sounds hazardous more than anything lol
Jun 1 2017 6:50PM
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patskis22
Posts: 364 - Karma: 1,148
Lately I've been feeling like Paul Walker (RIP) never going back to auto!
Jun 1 2017 6:53PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
patskis22Lately I've been feeling like Paul Walker (RIP) never going back to auto!


Is this patskis' ghost posting this?
Jun 1 2017 9:57PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1825 - Karma: 7,826
patskis22Lately I've been feeling like Paul Walker (RIP) never going back to auto!


man, I can't believe he's dead!
Jun 2 2017 3:35AM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,439
Driving manual is easy: take foot off gas pedal -> slam on clutch pedal -> switch gear -> controlled release of clutch pedal and apply gas again.

The hardest part is to start the car on the hill. That's where you need the best control of your clutch.

Also, don't forget to use your clutch pedal when you brake. Or the car will stall.
Jun 2 2017 5:51AM
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milk_man
Posts: 5252 - Karma: 5,978
Basically all I ever drive is manual. Are you still having trouble with anything? Like starting out or just certain gearshifts? Some are harder than others. In my pickup 2nd to 3rd is the hardest while in my car 1st to 2nd is the hardest.
Jun 2 2017 9:19AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Practice in a parking lot.
Jun 2 2017 10:21AM
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Auzy
Posts: 569 - Karma: 1,827
patskis22Lately I've been feeling like Paul Walker (RIP) never going back to auto!


OP be out here granny shifting, not double clutching like you should.
Jun 2 2017 11:37AM
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skierman
Posts: 8375 - Karma: 7,568
Everyone who wants to learn how to drive needs to learn on a standard. If you don't know how to drive a standard, you don't deserve to be on the road unless you're being dragged behind a Prius.
Jun 2 2017 9:58PM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,186
iFlipClearly you aren't a true man. I've owned three manuals and presently drive a manual. If you cannot handle eating, texting, and driving stick all at the same time then you may as well just go full Bruce Jenner.


If you text and drive you're just as bad as drink drivers. People think "oh it'll never happen to me"... "I only look down for a second". Go fuck yourself for using your phone whilst driving.
Jun 5 2017 4:15AM
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