manual lessons this friday

[EspressoBoy]

I learned on my gf mother's car. LOL
If someone has driven a stick before, relearning is not an issue at all.

If you are going to practice on another car first that is PERFECT.

You will be 100% fine.

Oh another thing that just occured to me...lol out of habbit I would put it in reverse thinking it was 1. Lucky for me I have PDC so the idrive pic came up and I knew I was not thinking clearly. This happened like 2 times and both times I was at a stand still and quickly took it out of reverse and put it back in first gear.

It's hard when you are used to reverse 1 way, then you have to retrain your brain to do it another... you young people it's easy, but for those who have been doing it 1 way for over 20 years it's not so easy. Anyway just wanted to point that 1 out... lol


Also the gearbox is a bit more raw when the car is new... as you drive it, it smooths out... it also could be the driver too... I know some people have mod their car for smoother shifting, but I have not bothered... most say it's worth it... I have yet to mod anything. Gee now I have said everything about the manual, and left almost nothing to the search... lol
EspressoBoy

[Heinzftw]

Remember to Heel Toe, downshift and brake on hard turns. Keep the Rpm's high to have maximum torque out of that turn!

Oh wait. Your re-learning to drive stick. Clutch in move right hand. Let off clutch, away you go~~~

[paologaspar]

these two things made it click for me:
-apply the throttle before releasing the clutch. More throttle is better than not enough
-*FEATHER* the clutch. You'll get to learn exactly where it grabs and makes take off smoother

[Notion-Za]

Originally Posted by ADA///M

sit in a parking lot for 10 -15 minutes(or unitl you figure it out) with the e-brake on and let the clutch out slowly until you feel it start to catch then push it back in...repeat until you figure it out.

Then repeat doing the same this time no e-brake and letting the clutch out fully and getting the car going without using any gas at all....keep repeating until youre good at it. NO GAS...just clutch.

After that, you'll be good to go.

I second this theory!! taught my friend 2 drive like this.. although i did one thing different. It was in his steps moms old E46 318i bmw.

First thing i did was i made him stall it! This is to show him what will happen. It'll help him from having panic attack when he stalls on the road! and also made him play with the gear when the car was off and the clutch was in.. dunno if its to good for the car! but that ones being traded in soon so no worries :biggrin:

[Chewyjr15]

thanks for the advice everyone

[Chewyjr15]

update just got back and i learned! going back probably in a month or so for another one just for some practice before i get my car.

[J-Sud]

i learned on my 135 :biggrin:....it was a rough start getting out of the dealership hahahaha

but after 3 weeks of daily driving...I am A LOT better

[Midgad]

Originally Posted by J-Sud

i learned on my 135 :biggrin:....it was a rough start getting out of the dealership hahahaha

but after 3 weeks of daily driving...I am A LOT better

Can ne1 say buy me a new clutch after 25k miles.

[morgie2]

Originally Posted by Chewyjr15

thanks thats cool about the hill thing makes me feel a little more at ease.

I believe it's called "hill assist". It's great, but only lasts about 2 or 3 seconds. So... it's a great tool, but be careful. Finding the "catch" point or "friction" point is the key. After getting a little familiar with it, practice is all you need.

[Chewyjr15]

great to know the guy who taught me taught me how to launch on a hill without rolling back ne ways. I would release the clutch slowly while still ont he break, once the clutch engaged id let off the break give her some gas and fully release the clutch. Worked like a charm for a beginner it was really a good lesson. He took me in traffic everything.