So I didn't know exactly where to ask this so... I recently bought my car in the sig, but this is my first Manual car so my question is: I have shifting down for gears 2-6 but from stop to 1st gear I really have to go slow...I mean like slowly release the clutch while I give it 1800 or so RPM's of gas, why is it feel like it will die if i go faster? Do I need to give it more gas or what? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

The first 1/3 or so of clutch pedal travel does nothing. The next 1/3 is the main friction zone. I release through the first dead zone really quickly and then slow down / almost pause for a second at the friction zone while increasing throttle.

I have taught a lot of people how to drive a manual and I usually start by having them get the car doing without giving it any gas, just by getting a feel for the friction zone. After they get decent at getting the car going like that, I then have them start to give it gas. I have found this makes them learn quickly and very well. I taught my fiance how to drive a manual in my 400hp Trans Am and she never stalled the engine and was on the road driving within 5 or 10 minutes.

 

I understand that, just I wanna go fast now! But seriously I understand it takes some time to learn but all I can think about is not killing till I get it going...

 

I know its hard when you first start driving, but you dont want to rev it past like 1100rpm when you are taking off. 1800 is awful high and will wear your clutch out. What quickTA said is very true, I too started manual on an fbody and the biggest mistake is thinking you are engaded and letting the last 1/3 out too quick...giving you that nice buck. Most times when I take off I don't even begin to give it gas until the clutch is about 1/2 way up, once you feel the car just start to struggle a hair, give it gas and accelerate out of the friction point. No point in giving it gas before you meet the friction point unless you want to wear your clutch down faster. The other thing was when I first started driving my fbody I was afraid of reverse everytime I shifted into 5th...then I learned of the lockout solenoid...

 

Just 1100? I feel like it'll die if I give it just that much... Either way I just want to be able to do it quicker than I can now, I am sooooo slow at a light then have to pass everybody again until the next light, .

 

Driving a manual is something you will just have to get used to. It is going to to be a different feeling with each car depending on wich clutch you have and how it is adjusted. I would take it to an emptu parking lot and practice geting into first gear. One you are good at getting into first then you can launch that sucker! If you have traction. If not have fun spinning tires either will be fun.

 

Launching involves getting it to the friction point, dumping the clutch and pushing hard on the accelerator right?

 

If your not scared to break anything just rev the engine to 5,000 rpm and drop the clutch. I bet it would break smething though if you are stock.

 

^^^even if everything stayed working, the tires would definetly "break" loose

 

oh and once your to that friction point and you let off the clutch pedal very rapidly you must give it a bit more throttle...thats what it sounds like your not doing. so the faster you let off the clutch the faster you gotta recompensate with the throttle...

 

Yep, the clutch and gas should be directly porportional...i.e. need to merge from a stop...let out that clutch quick and give it gas faster.

 

eh nevermind I was looking today when I was driving and it seems more like 1300 is when I have my foot completely off the clutch. More than 1500 shouldnt be necessary unless you are in a big hurry.

 

yea, do what the 1st responder said... Go into a parking lot, and figure out how to get the car to move with JUST using the clutch pedal, no gas. You WILL stall it a bunch doing this, but you will also learn clutch control which is what you need to learn; where the friction point is, and how fast/slow you have to move the pedal as you push/release it.

 

Manuals take practice. I have 3 of them.. 1st gear always gets people. You can shift into first gear without giving them ANY gas at all. if you are not in a hurry. But basically reving it does not help alot.. I always start out at about 1000rpm tops. then as I feel the clutch engage I give it more gas.. it is a balance act really. because all you are trying to do with the gas is keep enough power going to the trans to overcome the dead wieght of the car to make it move. to little and there is not enough power and it dies. to much and well, you spin the tires lol.

 

Thanks, I'm getting better. It just grinds my gears (no pun intended) when I see v6 mustangs launching past me and I'm like "**** I'm slow!".