Some simple manual driving questions.

-=Ice-T=- · 12-26-2002, 06:06 PM

I'm not completely new to driving stick but I just have some simple questions.

1) My uncle just told me whenever you go over a speed bump, you have to hold down the clutch. I know your supposed to brake to slow down for a speed bump, but do you have to hold down the clutch also over a speed bump? Even if your not going too slow to stall?

2) This question I've had on my mind for a while. I know when you first start out in first or reverse, your supposed to balance clutch/gas, but what about when your already moving and shifting from 1st-2nd, 2nd-3rd, etc. Is clutch/gas balance required? I know it makes shifts smoother but I want to know if it is absolutely necessary.

3) This is a pretty simple question. When starting out (1st gear or Reverse) and you have to balance the clutch, do you add gas right away as you release the clutch or do you wait til the clutch reaches the friction point to add gas?

Thanks for your help.

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Akiata · 12-26-2002, 06:24 PM

#1 no unless you are going to stall the car.

#2 its called slipping the clutch not balancing. But no after 1st gear you just bang through the gears.

#3 I think I start gassing it just a fraction before the clutch starts to grab. If you do it too late you will stall and too early you will rev too high.

Just get out there and drive, you will be pretty good in no time.

p@
www.achtuning.com

imprezton · 12-26-2002, 06:27 PM

As to #1, I agree with your uncle. When going over a speed bump, depress the clutch.

The reason I think this is good advice is that the speed bump can make an inexperienced driver punch the gas, causing the car to lurch.

Mike Wevrick · 12-26-2002, 06:46 PM

1) You don't HAVE to, but like imprezton says it might help.

2) When you are upshifting you should let off the gas at the same time you push in the clutch, shift, then ease on the gas as you let the clutch out. You can do it pretty fast, though, and it doesn't have to be as smooth as when you are starting in 1st.

3) It's easier if you give some gas first (eg to 2000 rpm) and let the clutch out to the friction point. As it starts to catch you can then add gas gradually as you let the clutch the rest of the way out.

mikkyo · 12-26-2002, 07:15 PM

1: No unless you are in first gear and aren't good at the bump-hop(or it is a nasty sharp bump). The smacking of the syncros is not good. I go over most in 2nd at about 25-35mph (we don't have big nasty bumps around here), I coast in gear up to the bump and gas just enough to pull the car over. My passengers are amazed at how smoothly it feels when I jump the bumps.

2: Always try and make your shifts smooth, it helps you to be a better driver. You don't have to make it perfect, but over time you will be much better at it if you try. When starting from a stand still you want to bring the revs up, slip the clutch and then drive however you want (gradually accelerate, floor it, whatever). Between first and second, it depends on whether you are trying to get the most speed or just driving normally. There is a shift guide in the manual to give you an idea where the speed/rpm of the gears line up. Use that to start with, learn the sound of the engine and how fast the rpms drop as you are shifting. When accelerating hard, the difference between revs at redline and ideal speed for bottom of second are pretty big, so getting a good match is a bit tougher. You often have to let off the gas as you shift and then bring up the revs to match the speed of the car as you get off the clutch. Ideally there should be no CHUNK from the tranny/differentials. For practice you might want to let the rpms and speed drop down to their ideal shift levels while on the clutch(coast a bit) and then release the clutch and add gas when matched. Then slowly add gas in between to bring the match up faster. In time you can be a shift pro and out-launch most cars, or make your passengers feel super comfortable by never making odd noises or jarring them.

3: Add gas first (up to 3.6Krpm or so), slip the clutch, add more gas. You have to gets the rpms up as when you slip the clutch as they are gonna come down from the load of the car. If you are on a hill, you want the car to have enough rpms to pull the car up the hill and not stall. For reverse, I rev up a bit, slip the clutch while adding a bit of gas. It isn't to often you want to launch in reverse as fast as possible, so no need to raise rpms into boost levels.

Practice lots, aim for no jerks, chunks, excessive fumes(clutch fluid burning), and even acceleration through the shift.

VSG · 12-26-2002, 09:01 PM

2) I only slip the clutch in first starting out. so my shift to 2ond gear would be like this: off gas - Clutch in - Shift to second - Clutch out (all the way) - gas

It's easier to get it smooth when you give it gas as you de-clutch, but the trick is to know what RPMs to let the clutch out at. If you shift outa 1st at 4k RPMs you'll want to time it so that when you are de-clutching in second that the rpms are a little over 2k. Smoothly declutch and you can get a smooth shift. takes practice though. sometimes I can't get the 1st-2ond shift too smooth.

12-26-2002, 06:46 PM	#4
Mike Wevrick RIP 1/19/64 - 7/23/11 Scooby Guru Member#: 24654 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: saraseager.com Vehicle: 1957 Taggart Comet atlasshruggedpart1.com	Re: Some simple manual driving questions. 1) You don't HAVE to, but like imprezton says it might help. 2) When you are upshifting you should let off the gas at the same time you push in the clutch, shift, then ease on the gas as you let the clutch out. You can do it pretty fast, though, and it doesn't have to be as smooth as when you are starting in 1st. 3) It's easier if you give some gas first (eg to 2000 rpm) and let the clutch out to the friction point. As it starts to catch you can then add gas gradually as you let the clutch the rest of the way out.

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12-26-2002, 06:06 PM	#1
-=Ice-T=- Scooby Newbie Member#: 30956 Join Date: Dec 2002	Some simple manual driving questions. I'm not completely new to driving stick but I just have some simple questions. 1) My uncle just told me whenever you go over a speed bump, you have to hold down the clutch. I know your supposed to brake to slow down for a speed bump, but do you have to hold down the clutch also over a speed bump? Even if your not going too slow to stall? 2) This question I've had on my mind for a while. I know when you first start out in first or reverse, your supposed to balance clutch/gas, but what about when your already moving and shifting from 1st-2nd, 2nd-3rd, etc. Is clutch/gas balance required? I know it makes shifts smoother but I want to know if it is absolutely necessary. 3) This is a pretty simple question. When starting out (1st gear or Reverse) and you have to balance the clutch, do you add gas right away as you release the clutch or do you wait til the clutch reaches the friction point to add gas? Thanks for your help. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-26-2002, 06:24 PM	#2
Akiata Scooby Specialist Member#: 297 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Wa	#1 no unless you are going to stall the car. #2 its called slipping the clutch not balancing. But no after 1st gear you just bang through the gears. #3 I think I start gassing it just a fraction before the clutch starts to grab. If you do it too late you will stall and too early you will rev too high. Just get out there and drive, you will be pretty good in no time. p@ www.achtuning.com

12-26-2002, 06:27 PM	#3
imprezton Scooby Specialist Member#: 22958 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Vehicle: 2008 She cheat me and taked my salts!-Crees	As to #1, I agree with your uncle. When going over a speed bump, depress the clutch. The reason I think this is good advice is that the speed bump can make an inexperienced driver punch the gas, causing the car to lurch.

12-26-2002, 07:15 PM	#5
mikkyo Scooby Specialist Member#: 25399 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Silly Valley, CA Vehicle: 2003 Impreza WRX Black	1: No unless you are in first gear and aren't good at the bump-hop(or it is a nasty sharp bump). The smacking of the syncros is not good. I go over most in 2nd at about 25-35mph (we don't have big nasty bumps around here), I coast in gear up to the bump and gas just enough to pull the car over. My passengers are amazed at how smoothly it feels when I jump the bumps. 2: Always try and make your shifts smooth, it helps you to be a better driver. You don't have to make it perfect, but over time you will be much better at it if you try. When starting from a stand still you want to bring the revs up, slip the clutch and then drive however you want (gradually accelerate, floor it, whatever). Between first and second, it depends on whether you are trying to get the most speed or just driving normally. There is a shift guide in the manual to give you an idea where the speed/rpm of the gears line up. Use that to start with, learn the sound of the engine and how fast the rpms drop as you are shifting. When accelerating hard, the difference between revs at redline and ideal speed for bottom of second are pretty big, so getting a good match is a bit tougher. You often have to let off the gas as you shift and then bring up the revs to match the speed of the car as you get off the clutch. Ideally there should be no CHUNK from the tranny/differentials. For practice you might want to let the rpms and speed drop down to their ideal shift levels while on the clutch(coast a bit) and then release the clutch and add gas when matched. Then slowly add gas in between to bring the match up faster. In time you can be a shift pro and out-launch most cars, or make your passengers feel super comfortable by never making odd noises or jarring them. 3: Add gas first (up to 3.6Krpm or so), slip the clutch, add more gas. You have to gets the rpms up as when you slip the clutch as they are gonna come down from the load of the car. If you are on a hill, you want the car to have enough rpms to pull the car up the hill and not stall. For reverse, I rev up a bit, slip the clutch while adding a bit of gas. It isn't to often you want to launch in reverse as fast as possible, so no need to raise rpms into boost levels. Practice lots, aim for no jerks, chunks, excessive fumes(clutch fluid burning), and even acceleration through the shift.

12-26-2002, 09:01 PM	#6
VSG Scooby Specialist Member#: 19435 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC	2) I only slip the clutch in first starting out. so my shift to 2ond gear would be like this: off gas - Clutch in - Shift to second - Clutch out (all the way) - gas It's easier to get it smooth when you give it gas as you de-clutch, but the trick is to know what RPMs to let the clutch out at. If you shift outa 1st at 4k RPMs you'll want to time it so that when you are de-clutching in second that the rpms are a little over 2k. Smoothly declutch and you can get a smooth shift. takes practice though. sometimes I can't get the 1st-2ond shift too smooth.