when driving in a local plaza, I just keep it at 2nd (since ppl are saying it hurts the gears going into 1st). The car bounces when it's at least 1500+ RPM and when I release / add gas. Seems like the gears are not connecting well when @ this low speed (~25km/h)

Any suggestions as to why it happens? And how do you guys drive around in plaza?

 

I have experience similar problems. While driving around a mall or parking lot I also keep the car in 2nd gear, going 15-20 mph. However, at this low an rpm, I have found the throttle to be VERY sensitive when pressing or releasing the gas pedal, casuing something similar to your "bouncing" (mine is more of a jerking)....I haven't found a solution yet, I just try to be as gentle on the throttle as possible.

 

Anybody please help and gives comments

 

Are you implying that this is normal?
I just want to know since I'm new to standard transmission

 

I usually putz thru most parking lots. I've found the smoothest way to get around in this situation is basically leave it in 2nd gear and coast a lot with the clutch in. If I need a little boost I'll let the clutch out and give it a little gas, push the clutch in and coast some more. If I'm almost to a stop I'll drop it into first and do the same thing. Our cars with their short wheelbase, stiff suspension and soft powertrain mounts are hard to drive slowly and smoothly. The engine can pull the car up from a crawl in second gear as long as you go easy on the gas until you get above 2000 rpms or so. I've found a lot of clutchwork is necessary to keep your car and it's occupants from the herky-jerky's at parking lot speeds. The more practice you get with with your first manual shift and clutch the smoother things will become. It just takes some time and patience.

 

I agree with all of silver_p5_owner points. That's how I do it.

 

I also agree with silver....riding the clutch in the parking lots is will stop that jerking motion....it just takes practice.

 

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...k+maybe+yes+no

 

That's cool.
I know it's probably not the car's fault, but I'm newbie enough not to understand how to smooth it out.

In fact, I tried the way suggested before posting
I heard riding on the clutch would wear it out prematurely, so I'm not sure if I should keep doing what I "experimented"...

Thanks all for pointers. I just wanna drive my P5 smoothly for now.

 

I've been driving like that for years and have always gotten great wear out of my clutches. Seems I've always sold my cars around the 100,000 mile mark and have yet to replace one. You're really not wearing the clutch out doing this. You may be wearing the throwout bearing a little more, but if you're good about keeping your foot off the clutch while cruising it should last a long time too.

 

Well, I for one have always enjoyed your posts. You have a biting wit but never get to the point of personal attacks. Keep it up, man!

 

Riding the clutch involves keeping your foot on it while driving or otherwise depressing it constantly. Using the clutch to drive smoothly is not hard on it. I have driven as suggested for years..sold one camero 160k miles never replaced the clutch and one Isuzu Rodeo 147k miles no clutch issues. I am currently teaching my wife how to do this. I wouldn't worry about the wear.

 

this is the best solution to date:

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=9901

 

Silver. Riding around with your clutch engaged WILL wear out your throw out bearing.
Clutch slipping is unfortunately a neccesary evil it seems in this car. Slipping the clutch (example-reving your car up a couple grand and slowly backing off the clutch to launch) DOES wear the clutch plate. Cars seem to be more resilliant nowadays- of course performance suffers.
Here's a challenge. Drive a tractor- no a REAL tractor. Try slipping the clutch once or twice. That'll teach you to get the hell off the clutch.

 

mmm... well, talking to a mechanic out in Wisconsin at a place called Performance Plus, a place specializing in SHO service- I was told the opposite about my '90 Taurus SHO.