elderlycoffee

So I just got a Mazda Speed 3 today.
The clutch seems a little iffy. I'm curious if someone might have done some damage to it in the 45 miles it had on it when I got it.

I kill it about 30% of the time when putting it in 1st.
Is the clutch difficult and will take getting used to or is there a problem?

Any tips on how to decrease the stall percentage?

Esteban

with the clutch in and you shift to 1st it stalls?? or when you try to get going is it when you stall?
to me, the clutch was and is still difficult. i still cant get it right on inclines after 700 miles. the regular 3 was just so easy to drive compared to this. i know i'll get used to it, but for now, still getting a feel for it

elderlycoffee

I've gotten a little better but it takes time to keep it from stalling. I've been taking alot longer than i think i should be to keep it from stalling.
So far it's rare that i don't stall at a stop sign or light.
It's when launching from 1st.

I'd really like a tip because i'm supposed to show it off tonight. I don't want to look like an idiot

Esteban

ease the cutch out? not sure why you're stalling, if you feel something is wrong, take it back, use that warranty... have you drivin a stick before? this car has a high engagement point and a narrow "catch band" (compared to regular 3), try sitting in a flat parking lot, shift to first, and *slowly* release the clutch, you should roll off like that no , no gas either just idle... it might bog the engine down a bit but take it slow... this'll let you know where the engagement point is,

elderlycoffee

I've driven a stick beofre. but only once. So yesterday was my first real day driving one.

Bartizek

There's the problem right there.

You don't learn how to drive a stick perfectly in one day...
It took me a good 3 or 4 days of practicing for an hour on a steep hill to be able to drive my car around without stalling. I drive a regular 3, 4.7k miles and i haven't stalled in a long long time.
I haven't driven a speed3, but I've driven a speed6, I'm assuming it probably feels about the same, which means it's pretty difficult to drive, especially for a beginner.
Try these ideas...

1) Go to a parking lot with no / very few other people in it. Like someone else said, just slowly let the clutch out until you start to feel the car pull itself forward a little, and then put the clutch back in. Do this over and over, until you get a good feel for where the clutch starts to engage.

2) go to a steep hill for awhile and just practice getting going without rolling back, once u can do that, you will be good to go.

Good luck, just remember 99% of people stall their first few days driving a stick, you'll get over it quickly and before you know it you'll think to yourself one day "Wow, i haven't stalled in a long time.."

Esteban

how are you driving it? i ease the clutch out in every gear when i'm driving granny style, just to smooth it out. otherwise i can dump the clutch pretty quickly when im driving a little more spiritedly.

Mike518

The Clutch does take some getting used to I have driven standard trans cars for over 20 years now

This being my first hydrolic clutch it was hard to get used to I dont feel it grab the same way like the cable clutch on my Mach.

After like 2 weeks i am used to it

RPI-Speed3

I just got my Speed 3 today and it does have a really high engagement point. I also have an RX-8 with an ACT Prolite cluth/flywheel and that car is the complete opposite. The speed 3 clutch will take some getting used to, but i think it will be easier in the long run. Now in traffic, i can see this being a pain.

Love the car nontheless

john wayne

"MACH" as Mustang MACH ???

If so, please post some pics, or send em to me jwwduke@gmail.com. man i absolutley love late 60's early 70's mustangs... My dad sold his Torino GT. John.

Mike518

Mine is a 03 there are pics on the page in my sig
hey wait were is my sig

http:\\home.nycap.rr.com\crazyhorse

elderlycoffee

i drove it back and forth from karate tonight and only stalled once each way so i'm getting the hang of it

Esteban

nice.

elderlycoffee

I've figured out where it hooks now, I just need to practice to launch faster.
I'm curious though. Is there a mod or chip to make 1st gear a tad bit longer? Seems it should be.
Just a thought.

Bartizek

New gear ratios is about the only thing that will make your gears longer.

Or a chip that lets you run past redline, but theres nothing like that out yet, plus it's pretty bad for the car.