mnkyboy

Just thought say that I finally got my Protege 5! Vivid Yellow, 5-speed, 6-disc changer, Moonroof, Alarm, Wheel Locks, and Floor Mats.

I would also like to thank everyone that has helped me with my various post. I feel that I am now offically a Protege Club member

Well, im off to continue practicing stick, if anyone has any suggestions, please post them in this thread... tHaNkS


BTW, this is my first manual tranny that ive owned...

iroc326

One thing I recommend if you plan on shifting the right way and want to keep your clutch for a long time :

1- Gradually decrease the amount of time you take to slip the clutch when starting from 1st gear.

2- Don't downshift just for the fun of it. When you need to though ( ex. slowing traffic, upcoming turn, uphill, etc.), it is recommended to power shift. Power shift means to match reving of engine with gears.

Ex : you are in 3rd at 3000 rpm, you're slowing down because of an uphill and need to go in 2nd. Press the clutch, keep revs at about 2700 rpm, shift in 2nd, depress clutch. You need to do this pretty quick or else you'll slow down past the 2700 rpm reference.



Hope it helps!

Kincaid

A nice suggestion. However, this is his first manual transmission. I would NOT recommend this for a beginner. Cause if you miss the revs, it ain't pretty.

Congrats on getting your P5. But I really would not try this technique in the first stages of driving. Get used to the car and it's shifting first. And be very comfortable with it before you try this.

mnkyboy

Correct, a moonroof is a roof that has a glass panel, which you can either open to let air in, tilt it to let air in, or just have the sun/moon light shine in through the glass. You can also slide the interior panel to cover the glass panel. A sunroof can only be opened or tilted. I think a moonroof is better, since you have more features.

Do some Protege 5s have sunroofs? The only option listed on Mazdas site is a moonroof.