Question about driving a stick shift???
 

I know I should know this stuff, but I don't. I am picking up my 2002 Mazda Protege DX (US) tomorrow and it is a stick shift. The only problem is that I have only driven a stick shift a couple of times. I am sick of steering my car. It is time to actually drive it. Here are my Questions: 1. When I am taking a 90* corner is it ok to hold the clutch down? 2. When I am slowing down (not stopping) do I need to downshift or can I keep it in a higher gear??? Are there any other things I should know to prevent burning the clutch out???? Any and all comments will be very much appreciated!!!!!! Thanks:)

I think you need to down shift when slowing and not stopping. But staying in the higher gear would just be bad on the gas and power I don't know if it matters to the clutch. How fast to you plan on taking the 90* corner? If you are in 2nd I don't think you need to hit the clutch unless you are going real slow and are fearful of spuddering.

I think where you need to worry is moving from a standstill and shifting. I give the car lots of gas as I let out the clutch. Im sure this is going to cause more clutch wear on my car. finding that perfect timing is going to take a while. I think out clutches can handle it though. And as long as you aren't grinding the gears...

there is no point in holding the clutch while making the 90 degree turn........depending on how fast you want to take the turn downshift before the actual turn..........if driving relatively slow you can even downshift into second.....

when you are slowing down and you know you will stop (example.....red light in front) just put it into neutral and press the brake (without clutch to prevent wear) ........or you could downshift, but there is really no point (if for certain you will eventuall have to stop) ............if you are slowing down and say the light turns green in front there is no point to downshift......you can keep it in 5th, but acceleration will be very slow.......if you don't want that just put it into 3rd and you're set.......

that's at least what I do.....if you have any other questions just ask.....

and once you get everything down you will be so happy that you got a stick shift......good choice !!!

double clutching comes next, but that's after you get a hang of just regular driving............do a search here in the forum or on yahoo.com for how to double clutch and prevent wear.....

later

the clutches will handle it, but don't abuse them........go to a park and just practice the start.........there is no point in reving the car high and just releasing the clutch..............
practice makes perfect you know:D

i hope this helps you out
1.forget slowing down in a turn stomp on the gas:D
2.stay in a lower gear and stomp on the gas
3.yea hold clutch in ,stomp on gas and release clutch
4.dont stomp on gas...

i hope that helps

That would work too.........if you don't give a shit about your car;)

or if you are a race car driver;)

if you are a race car driver that doesn't give a shit about his car;)

Priority.....Identity has a really good idea....get your car out to an empty park...or shopping mall on a day when they are closed or nearly empty....and practice....its really not hard...and you will get the hang of it faster than you may think.

personally....I downshift when I am slowing down....just how I learned many years ago to drive a stick.....as far as holding in the clutch going around a corner...usually NO...you power through a corner...if you have the clutch in...all you are doing is steering and you have no true control of the car....put it in the appropriate gear for the speed you are going through the corner and go. as you drive your car more you will come to KNOW what speeds coorespond to the gear you are in....top and low speed for a particular gear.....shift your car to keep the rpms in the bands for that gear...it will help with gas milage as well.

WOW!!! That was fast!!! The thread has only been here for like 20 min and already tons or replies!!!! Thank you for the tips!!!!! I will keep them all in mind tomorrow EXCEPT for craigrrrp's post (unless I race) I'll check back later for more replies if anyone has anything else to add

or a race car driver that doesnt dive a shit about his car ..because its someone elses;)

HEY!!!!!!......no im just kidding do not, i repeat DO NOT do what i told you to do....(unless your next to a civic:evilgrin: )...lol

Sorry craigrrrp I meant I'll ignore Identity_X's post, it was funny though!!!!! :D

yea hes the one giving you bad teqniqes.....;)

personally i would put it in neutral when slowing down then depending on how fast you are going then down shift. The one thing that is bad for clutches is 5500+ launches, its only good if you are next to a civic then it is not bad for it but rather better for it.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: