First Manual Transmission | Any Tips?, First Post Noob Stuff Options

[guyunreal]

Really the hardest thing in a standard car is to take off from 1st gear once you get going shifting thru the gears is a joke,just clutch in shift release,hills are pretty much the hardest things for a newbie,just have a feel for the friction point without giving it any gas you will get used to it,pratice is the key!

[Ackerman]

welcome , just enjoy your stay here

[CWC3]

Been shifting a little bit later (higher RPM) most of the time till I get the hang of it, but its getting better. My biggest thing of course is 1st still, but I didn't stall it today and actually had music playing. The music normally would drown out the engine noise and I wouldn't hear when to shift, but I am getting a feel for that "friction" in the pedal.

You REALLY take for granted how convenient Automatics are. I definitely have more respect for people who drive stick.

EDIT: I believe my city is a stop and go type of place? http://goo.gl/maps/ilctX

This post has been edited by CWC3: Aug 3 2013, 07:12 PM

[VIG]

Good stuff!

It will become second nature in no time.

Have you gotten stuck in traffic yet?

[elantragt]

EDIT: I believe my city is a stop and go type of place? http://goo.gl/maps/ilctX

Have you added yourself to our member map?

[CWC3]

Have you added yourself to our member map?

Couple days ago, I better represent us southern Oregonians right!

Still been using the clutch too much, but like you all say, I will get better with time. Lots of hills for me to practice on too when the time comes.

[TJVJR]

Everything's been covered well . Only thing I can add is maybe put the shifter in neutral when breaking instead of gearing down until you get use to it , That way the break pedal is all you have to be concerned with when stopping .

[VIG]

Only thing I can add is maybe put the shifter in neutral when breaking instead of gearing down until you get use to it

Some will say this is improper and that you should always use engine braking, but personally I'd rather wear my brakes than my clutch. Brakes are a lot easier and cheaper to replace.

[a_v]

I smell a bit of a debate coming on. I always keep it in gear when braking, downshifting at around 1000RPM. Using the engine to brake feels wrong to me.

[litesong]

Just purchased my first manual transmission (and first hyundai) and was wondering if you folks have any good tips?

Use 100%(ethanol free) gasoline. 100% gasoline makes your engine quicker to respond, than poorly performing 10% ethanol blends in gasoline engines, so you aren't as apt to lug your engine & kill it, when you let out the clutch. Hyundai Accents are very prone to lugging & killing the engine. Go to pure-gas.org to find addresses, details, availability of 100% gas stations in your area & a great zoomable map. If you have few stations selling 100% gasoline in your area, don't be afraid to go across the border to other states that may have 100% gasoline, if you are near your state's border. There are 7000+ stations selling 100% gasoline, but few in some states & most large cities. Many many stations in the south & Wisconsin selling 100% gasoline.

[Jaco D]

When going up a hill from a standing start on a stick-shift, use the "hanging clutch" method. Basically when the car is on an incline, engage the handbrake. When you're ready to go, shift into first and bring up the revs. As you let the clutch out and feel the clutch begin to engage, slowly release the handbrake and the car would go forward without sliding back. It takes practice for this to work. Oh yeah, practice this away from public roads till you get it right.

[Tom06]

Lots of good advice here. All I can say is that if you are starting to stall, stop letting the clutch out and/or give it more gas. Taking one or both of those actions will prevent a stall.

As for hills, they will just take some getting used to. The emergency brake can help but I don't use it myself. Just drive around a lot on flat ground and get used to using the clutch and gas. If you start to stall on a hill, keep the clutch at the point where it starts to catch and give it lots of gas.