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Driving Stick

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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
Alright, sorry if there is a thread on this already, i searched

ok, so i got my permit in late january. I have basically mastered an automatic car, of course there are little things i still need to learn.

so today my dad took me to try driving stick. We have 5 cars (4 drivers plus me). only one is an automatic.  Basically my whole family drives stick, both my brothers do for sure, my mom and dad sometimes drive the automatic. So i want/have to learn stick

so i went out today, and i did alright. So i know idiots that can drive stick and im no idiot, so im not so discourged yet, but i did fuck up a lot.

Getting into 1st is the worst, i come off the clutch to fast, don't give it enough gas as i do, but then i think how in the world would i do this on a hill or in traffic. getting into 2nd, 3rd, what ever is easy (although i don't put the clutch all the way down which i should do). also, like while driving i dont feel like i do things quick enough, i mean i know this all comes with time and practice, but i feel like its overwhelming

you guys have any tips? anything to keep my chin up about it, anything to help out? my dads a great driver but hes impatient so its kinda hard to learn with him
Feb 22 2009 4:47PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
practice in a parking lot without him.

study a diagram of a manual transmission with explanation from howstuffworks.com. this helps a lot so you can imagine what you are doing in respect to the car.

Feb 22 2009 4:50PM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5414 - Karma: 11,608

It was the same way for me. Its overwhelming and my dad was always yelling and swearing and you're thinking how will I ever learn this but eventually you do and it becomes 2nd nature.

Don't be afraid to give it more gas.

Feb 22 2009 4:56PM
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LS.
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 858

whenever if first started driving stick on my friends car o always thought you had to shift really fast like in fst and the furious but i learned in the begginging try to shift as slow and smooth as you can

Feb 22 2009 5:02PM
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fireballin
Posts: 392 - Karma: 13
just kep doing it and you will get it soon. theres a lot going through your head when learning.
Feb 22 2009 5:03PM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
each car is different.  you'll get it easy just go drive around a parking lot. starting off is the hardest part.

its probably a lot easier if you ride dirtbike or fourwheeler to get the whole "shifting" thing down first. but its still completely different than a car.
Feb 22 2009 5:04PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
find out where the contact point in the clutch is. on a flat road or parking lot, start the car, put it in first and very slowly come off the clutch without touching the gas. When the clutch plates start rubbing the car will begin to move forward and you'll know where the contact point is. when youre stopped on a hill with someone behind you you want to hold the brake until you get to the contact point and then quickly but gently release to break and push the gas.

the front of your car should raise ever so slightly when you have the brake on and the clutch is reaching the contact point.



Doing this really helped me understand how to drive standard.
Feb 22 2009 5:12PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
oh and dont drive with your hand on the gear stick, dont even touch the stick until the clutch is all the way down. its a bad habit and youll lose points on your driving test.
Feb 22 2009 5:14PM
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SHastatahoe
Posts: 3414 - Karma: 19
The trick is learning to "feather" the clutch, that is;

you need to balance between the clutch and the gas, and learn how to be sensitive with it.

I would just fuck around and barely let out the clutch and see when the car starts moving, and put the clutch back in, do this a few times then start using the gas along with it.  Don't rip the clutch out, just gently remove your foot


What kind of car is it?
Feb 22 2009 5:16PM
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steeze2pleeze
Posts: 362 - Karma: 14
for hill starts, keep your foot on the break, and sort of rotate it sideways so ur hitting the gas and the break at the same time, then let the clutch out slow until you feel the car start moving forward. then you can let go of the break a little more and move your foot on to the gas
Feb 22 2009 5:22PM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
it's sorta hard for me to explain since i learned so fast, but everyone here has good points.

Never ever be afraid to give it more gas. always a good thing. its sort of an equal amount of coming off the clutch and on the gas... yeah. Just play around with the mixture.
Feb 22 2009 5:25PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Do this a million times and you will be pro.
Feb 22 2009 5:32PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
heal toe method is a terrible idea if youre learning how to drive stick.
Feb 22 2009 5:35PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
heel*
Feb 22 2009 5:35PM
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gmack24
Posts: 4636 - Karma: 31
yea so frustrating at first, but I can't imagine not knowing how. think first gear is hard...wait til your on a hill.
Feb 22 2009 5:37PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
thank you, you guys have a ton of good suggestions. I won't be taking the road test on a stick car, so don't worry about thatt.

I'm learning on a 2004 Audi A4, i really love this car ad everytime i stall and the car jumps around and shit i feel terrible.

and i would love to practice alone, but i can't drive alone till i get my junior license and i wouldnt be able to drive myself to a parking lot.

im going to work on it. maybe i will get one of my brothers, who is very into cars and stuff, to teach me when he gets home. my dads way to impatient and my mom probably wouldnt be a good teacher.

but what happens a lot, like when i get into 1st, its not smoothly, like i will touch the gas, ease off the clutch and as im almost off, the car starts to jump and my dad tells me to give it more gas, i cant do it smoothly, its weird.

but hey, its my first time, i will work on it for sure. thanks again
Feb 22 2009 5:46PM
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OhMyBosh
Posts: 5056 - Karma: 170
all you gotta do is practice, you get it pretty fast...

i live in london (england) right now and so i had to take my test driving stick... never driven stick before my 1st lesson and the dude just made me drive around london (i had a pretty shit time, its the worst city to drive in ever... stalled in the middle of like 3 intersections and a roundabout), but after the first 2 lessons its basically 2nd nature to me now... its much more fun than driving automatic.
Feb 22 2009 6:10PM
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
First of all, don't ever say you've "mastered" driving. That leads to the attitude that you will never get in an accident.
Feb 22 2009 6:13PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257



there's a TON more on youtube. just search "how to drive manual" or something like that.
Feb 22 2009 6:14PM
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linesteeze
Posts: 1229 - Karma: 125
just give it enough gas in like pulses then slowly let out you wont roll back too much
Feb 22 2009 7:00PM
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robtheslobonacob
Posts: 471 - Karma: 17
yea its such a bitch to learn but seriously just keep calm and dont worry about stalling it, its gonna happen. what i do which i didnt see above is on a hill i use the handbrake instead of the foot. so i have my left foot on the clutch, the right on the gas, and my right hand on the handbrake that way you dont have to worry about moving feet and all that. then you ease off the clutch and ease on the gas and as you hit the gas slowly let the handbrake off. good luck, its fun once you get it.
Feb 22 2009 7:11PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
yeah, my dad told me that what he taught my mom when he taught her how to drive stick.
Feb 22 2009 7:12PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Just keep doing it, practice makes perfect.  And for hill starts remember to use your E brake so you don't roll into the car behind you.
Feb 22 2009 7:16PM
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gnarlygoodski22
Posts: 429 - Karma: 18
obviously you can take the advice you want, but sit on a small dirt bike and try it. to me, half of the problem was understanding what was going on and what needed to happen. or have somebody who knows the mechanics of it explain. might make more sence, but when you get it driving is such a fun game!
Feb 22 2009 7:37PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
i dont have a dirt bike or anything like that :/

but i looked on howstuffworks.com and it was really helpful to see whats going on. i will probably drive stick again next weekend
Feb 22 2009 7:38PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
have a girl at your school teach you, my girlfriend taught me and it is now really easy. I also learned in an 2004 audi a4. 3rd gear in that car is super fun. Don't be afraid of giving that car tons of gas either.
Feb 22 2009 7:42PM
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peacecoastskier
Posts: 196 - Karma: 11
once you can get past first and reverse your golden. theres really no tips to give as theres basicly only one correct way as you know. just doing it over and over again and you'll get it down. the clutch and gas take a rythem and eventualy it will click. as for taking off on hills. thats a a mental game you will get over in time. the rollback always feels sooooo much worse then it is. inches will seem like feet when you first start. just keep at it. dont let stalling get you down. my first car was a stick my first night driving it i was out alone i stalled it the middle of a two lane highway at 1230am making a uturn and a truck started coming. that'll get your feet workin
Feb 22 2009 7:49PM
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Talacious[Tally]
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 189

when you try to get into first, dont be afraid to use more gas.
try learning with someone else. my dad cant teach so my sister taught me how

Feb 22 2009 7:52PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
can people stop suggesting this please? it will get the car moving but you'll wear out your clutch unecessarly.
Feb 22 2009 8:06PM
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Scolson
Posts: 2904 - Karma: 92

Practice getting the car moving with NO gas, just by using the clutch.  That should give you a good feel of how the clutch engages.  That's the only tip I got, it just takes practice and soon it will be second nature.

Feb 22 2009 9:17PM
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hartig
Posts: 8192 - Karma: 10
when my dad taught me how to drive stick, he made me not use the gas pedal at all when getting into 1st gear. it sucked at first, but it definitely helped me learn how to use the clutch mad good. i would recommend doing this to anyone who is just learning.. once you can let the clutch out good in 1st gear, using gas just makes it 10 times easier for you to get going.

i feel like i phrased that wrong..

rephrase:
1) to practice, dont use the gas pedal while letting out the clutch in 1st gear.
2) get mad good at letting the clutch out smoothly
3) eventually use the gas pedal when you feel like you can let the clutch out like a champ every time
4) realize that its mad easy after you teach yourself without the gas pedal
Feb 22 2009 9:21PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
its just practice dude. once you "get it" it will become automatic.

the park i work at during the summer has these little utility vehicles that are manual transmissions. and while i knew how to drive a stick before that. after driving those pieces of shit every day you become a pro. 

its all about learning the clutch. you must become one with the vehicle!
Feb 22 2009 9:24PM
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WhiteBurd
Posts: 1127 - Karma: 98
after mastering clutch try shifting without it then you will start having fun, i have so much fun driving my car and seeing how long i can go without using the clutch and not stopping
Feb 22 2009 9:34PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
it's great when you've gotten comfortable but when you're just learning you should just use the e-brake and slowly give it gas and then let down the e-brake as the clutch engages

just practice a lot, what helped me was to go on a hill and give it gas and release the clutch part of the way and just get to the point where you can roll the car back and forth between going forward up the hill or rolling backwards, just try to get it in the middle of those 2 and you'll get a feel for where the clutch engages. just knowing your car and how a manual transmission works really helps
Feb 22 2009 9:35PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
wait, how do you get into first without using the gas? don't you have to be moving?
Feb 22 2009 9:36PM
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steeze2pleeze
Posts: 362 - Karma: 14
ya i figured after i posted that. its kinda something i picked up after driving stick for a while. i just thought i wish someone had told me that instead of leaving it up to me to learn by stalling a ton on hills haha
Feb 22 2009 9:37PM
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Scolson
Posts: 2904 - Karma: 92

If you slip the clutch properly just the idle of the engine will be enough to get moving.

Feb 22 2009 9:53PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Just get high! Its such a pleasure to drive stick high! haha but seriously, there is no tips and tricks.  Crazy amounts of practice.  its all in the feeeeeel!
Feb 22 2009 9:53PM
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seemeski
Posts: 4210 - Karma: 124
Spend a couple days in a parking lot, move on to back roads. You should be set. Driving stick takes  practice, you got to feel it. Then shifting becomes second nature.
Feb 22 2009 9:58PM
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steeze2pleeze
Posts: 362 - Karma: 14
once you get the hang of it you'll be e-brake drifting and doppin gears and slangin mad bitches
Feb 22 2009 10:06PM
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hartig
Posts: 8192 - Karma: 10
if you're in first gear, and you let the clutch out without using the gas (and dont manage to stall), you will be moving. its like if you were in first gear and you didnt give it gas.. and you were just barely creeping along. this kinda should make sense, since when you come to a complete stop you have to push in the clutch - if you didnt move when you let it out in first, then you technically wouldn't have to push it in to stop
Feb 22 2009 10:10PM
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evan25
Posts: 931 - Karma: 20
i would say ur biggest problem is that ur learning on a relatively new and nice car.  my dad drives an 07 bmw 335 and i actually find that car harder to drive than my 75 bmw which is what i learned to drive stick on.  the nice thing about old cars is you can really feel the motor so you dont need to pay as much attention to your takc because you can fell when to shift and the clutch in the older cars is much easier to feel the engagement point.  dont get me wrong my dads bmw and that a4 are nice cars but the clutch is so smooth and the motors are so quiet they can be harder for a new driver to learn on.  good luck driving stick is so much better too it makes driving like a whole new exerience.
Feb 22 2009 10:11PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
tell me more about this? it sounds really interesting and my dad doesnt know about it, but hes interested
Feb 22 2009 10:12PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
on some newer cars, there is a computer chip that will basically give it enough gas to get it started if let out verrrrry slowly.  if i tried this on my '92 camry, i would just stall out,
Feb 22 2009 10:15PM
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seemeski
Posts: 4210 - Karma: 124
You just let off the clutch real slow and you'll get to a certain point where the car will just creep forward.
Feb 22 2009 10:21PM
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hedgehog
Posts: 1595 - Karma: 167
there is a point where the car will sit still, even on a hill, practice maintaining that point and you're all set.
Feb 22 2009 10:29PM
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Scolson
Posts: 2904 - Karma: 92

I can do it in my 91 golf, it's not a computer chip.   But yeah you have to let it out very slow, and not let it stall.

Feb 22 2009 10:30PM
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pat_in_the_hat
Posts: 3019 - Karma: 2,695
i learned a clutch when i was like 7 on a dirt bike. and prob 11 in my dads truck. whoever said to use use the e brake for a hill. dont. this is unnessary, when you get the feel for when the clutch engages you will be able to just use the foot brake. so when your starting out, try to stay away from hills. when you get the feel for it, you will love it. i drive a manual, and will try to never buy a automatic. p.s. did you know that only 7% of cars made today and manuals used to the clutch, you should be able
Feb 22 2009 10:31PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
why not just use the regular brake?
Feb 22 2009 10:40PM
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lorida
Posts: 2833 - Karma: 46
Reminds me of when I taught my girlfriend to drive stick on my car...I'm now on my second bolley reacing clutch because of it ^.^!

It's sexy to see her drive the car, but the cost of the clutch will forever haunt me.
Feb 22 2009 10:55PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 65
yeah, im scared of ruining a transmission.... its a couple thousand to replace, right?
Feb 22 2009 11:04PM
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