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Stick Shift

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Thisismyusethegw
Posts: 90 - Karma: 257
Hey NS just got a new car, I bought a 2002 VW Jetta and it is stick. I’ve been driving for a year and a half, and learned on an automatic and I am having trouble learning stick. Any suggestions? Most of my problem is finding the proportion between clutch and gas when in first gear and stopped. Thanks!
Jan 31 2018 6:30PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,852
figure out how to clutch start, it will make you more familiar with the clutch. it’s just gonna take practice tho.
Jan 31 2018 6:33PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51257 - Karma: 157,310
Keep driving it/ thread


Seriously, that's all the answers. You just have to develop muscle memory for that ration to the point where you pull off the clutch and give it gas right where you want it for how fast you're trying to initially accelerate.

Make sure to give it enough gas from the start and let the clutch out slow. At least then you won't bounce the thing or burnout. Otherwise it's just doing it.
Jan 31 2018 6:50PM
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Casey
Posts: 7781 - Karma: 23,429
Probably help to have someone show you how to drive it. There's some simple things to avoid doing to take it easy on your clutch and transmission in the long run.
Jan 31 2018 6:54PM
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Puzzled
Posts: 4267 - Karma: 4,448
jackcropper25Hey NS just got a new car, I bought a 2002 VW Jetta and it is stick. I’ve been driving for a year and a half, and learned on an automatic and I am having trouble learning stick. Any suggestions? Most of my problem is finding the proportion between clutch and gas when in first gear and stopped. Thanks!


I tried to learn by driving around with my dad. I would stall the car absolutely everywhere and a lot of times I would stall it twice in a row. Almost gave up at some point.

At the time I wasn't allowed to drive alone, so one day I decided to head to the nearest parking lot and practice by myself. Turns out the stress of stalling in the middle of the road with my dad on board had held me back big time. I learned after 15 minutes alone in the parking lot.
Jan 31 2018 9:23PM
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BCRoff
Posts: 5 - Karma: 21
Get in the car and turn it on. Step on the clutch and brake, engage first gear.

Now SLOWLY let the clutch out until you hear / feel it starting to grab and push it back down. You now know exactly where in the clutch travel you want to hit the gas. Remember - too much gas is better than too little.

I had a hard time coordinating the clutch and throttle til my biddy showed me this trick.
Feb 1 2018 4:50PM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3635 - Karma: 8,774
Driving a stick gets really easy with time. You eventually only need to hear the engine rev and know when to shift. No need for looking at the mph/rpm because you know how fast each gear goes
Feb 1 2018 4:54PM
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