jjac28

i'm new to driving a manual transmission.i'm already doing very well..but i was wondering if anyone has some tips as when to shift/downshift...is there a website that gives you tips/techniques/advice on how to drive a manual the best way?

kakarot

I saw someone on here post this link recently and i found it to be very informative.

http://happytogether.com/318ti/noteb...ing/index.html

acidbbg1

Best tip for down shifting is to double clutch...and blip the gas before you down shift...example

2nd to 1st...

hit clutch...take out of second...hit clutch again and blip the gas..then engage into 1st!!

Good luck...takes some practice...

Chas

noodles

There really is no need to downshift to 1st. And what you are refering to is not double clutching. It's called rev-matching.

clutch - take it out of gear - blip throttle - downshift - engage clutch.

JoeT

I have learned to drive stick recently, and I think its a FRIGGING DRAG. I would rather have more HP/TORQUE from the engine than jack-off a transmission all day.

Although, I have been driving my wife's 1998 Saturn SL1 5-speed and I HATE that frigging car. Makes my 02 LX Pro feel like a, well, better car. Maybe that has something to do with my stick attitude.

nate0123

Two things:
1.) Don't base your opinions about manual transmissions on a 100 hp General Motors car
2.) The drag is not the transmission. The drag is your incompetence.

jjac28

i think with a manual transmission driving becomes more lively...you control all the power/acceleration and rpms. autos are boring to drive...my dads auto chevy lumina is like a couch and the rpms always stay at the same level....boring car to drive

VagaBond-X

I love manual trannys.....I wouldn't have anything else.

I sometimes drive my friends automatic cars... and they feel like such a drag...can't control the engine speed as whell and all that ****....

once you get used to manual cars... you'll start shifting wothout thinking about it no more. when i drive normally i don't even have to think about shifting, and down shifting.

when i'm pushing the car hard... ye i think about shifting more....just remember this when down-shifting...... I'll give you an example..... second gear on my pro hit just about 95kph at the rev limiter (did it by accident last night)....i normally shift when second is hitting up 80kph..... so that means the rpms where hitting 6750RPMS....... now don't down shift when your rpms are hitting that high.....i wouldn't down shift at like 5500RPMS or higher... or even 5000RPMS or higher...even though we have a rev limiter... i styll wouldn't do it.... and it ain't good bouncin off the rev limiter....(as people have been told)
well thas what i do when down shifting. But you probably knew that already... and i didn't need to recap it.

ALso remember... don't leave your hand on the shifter!!!! svrews up your syncros or something like that.

I'd say for now just get the feel of the manual tranny... and it seems liek you have.... practice starting off wihtout stalling.... get good using the clutch.... and shifting normally without grinding the syncros. then soon you won't have to think about shifting.... but you want to think about it cuz it makes the drive so much more exciting.

JasonH

LOL.

eggynatey

Better launch speed, more fuel economy, the ability to engine brake, no power-sapping torque-converter, the choice of what gear I want to be in... The list goes on...I'll take the manual everytime.
Plus there's nothin' like heel & toeing down a twisty mountain road, Keeping the engine at it's PERFECT revs. It's kinda like doing a little soft-shoe number. Pure Fun!!

JoeT

2.) The drag is not the transmission. The drag is your incompetence.

--------

dear nate0123: That was stupid and predictable. I know what I am doing re: driving stick. It's just no ******* fun. Pay the ******* extra money and get the auto. God forbid somebody doesn't enjoy wanking a gearbox!!

eggynatey

Keep your sex-life out of this... Dude! What's up with the beat-off obsession? You'd better go hit the shower J/K Sorry, If there's a shot open, I gotta take it. It's sorta like tourette's syndrome...

JoeT

eggynatey:

Saw that one coming from a mile away, but I'll give it to you. : )
Nice squirrel, by the way.

nate0123

I didn't buy a manual because I was cheap. I had to look around to find a 5-speed ES w/premium package. I think you're vastly outnumbered on the "no ******* fun" stance, but I apologize if my comment sounded like a dig. Some people would rather not be "bothered" with a transmission you've gotta - gasp - DO something with! Incidentally, however, these people are not the same kind of people who join enthusiast forums because cars to them are just means of transportation. They don't want to think about them, nor do they want to be bothered. I know there are plenty of auto people on this board, but a lot of them have said they wish they had a manual.

On an aside, I had my car in for service this Wednesday, and my loaner car was a cute little white 03 LX... with auto. All my previous comments about transmissions were validated when I drove that car. The same engine I'm used to, hooked up to a slushbox, is totally killed. Downshifts take ... ... ... forever and a day. Upshifts are not firm either. It almost feels like there's about a second or two of slippage between gears, like it's holding onto the revs while it takes its time disengaging one gear and looks for the next. The gears are spaced way too far apart for any effective acceleration. ESPECIALLY from a rolling start... 15-20 MPH. It won't downshift to first, and you'll be flooring it for several seconds before you get up into the second-gear power band.

Plus there's the odd brake feel when slowing to a stop with an automatic. Like you have to brake a little extra to overcome the idle motion. And braking to a stop is non-linear. The list goes on, but I have a feeling I won't convince you, so I'll stop now.

Bottom line: The automatic takes away 95% of the driving enjoyment of this car. Fortunately the steering feel and handling are superb no matter which tranny you get.

eggynatey

It's ALL among friends...
Auto, Stick, Autostick, Who gives a rat's ***? It's a better car than a Civic no matter how you option it. Although from what nate(!) said, the auto on the Protege sucks ***.
<--good fun!