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a tip (Reply to this comment)
by bugmenot1
This really helped when I was learning how to drive standard http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-drive-stick-shift.html
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Feb 15 '12
12:57 pm PST
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Re: smooth shifting (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
1. You may not be shifting fo 2nd at a high enough RPM.
2. The lower gears have such a higher multiplier so every little unsmooth input on the clutch and gas will be felt 10 folds!
3. You may be riding the clutch. The friction point should be minimal the more experienced you get. The more time you spend burning your clutch in that fransition period, the more it's going to smell.
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Jul 05 '11
4:50 am PDT
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smooth shifting? (Reply to this comment)
by awesome456
Hi, I wish I had found this article
earlier when I had bought my car.
I am able to some what drive to anywhere I want,
but I am realizing a couple of problems...
1. Lack of speed! From first to second, I tend to lose a lot of power and speed, why is that?
2. Unsmooth transitioning from first to second,
I still feel the jerkiness
3. Clutch wear... ater parking in my garage, I'd go up to the hood and find myself smelling a bit of clutch burn, is this normal?
(due to it being a new vehicle perhaps?)
And yeh... I lack the confidence to drive my friends around, or even offer rides to chicks...
I need to become better at this!!
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May 15 '11
1:45 pm PDT
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Nice tutorial! (Reply to this comment)
by dncswknivs
Good background info and practical advice.
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May 05 '11
7:08 am PDT
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(: (Reply to this comment)
by iheartyouuuuuu
This was really helpful! Thanks so much:D
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Sep 05 '10
4:51 pm PDT
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Nice and Detailed (Reply to this comment)
by ftpost
Thanks for writing this review. I'm just learning to drive stick myself and although I've got pretty much the basics down the only thing that gives me grief is moving the car with the clutch & gas.
You're definitely right about getting such a rush from driving stick. I love it.
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Jul 22 '10
12:54 pm PDT
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thanks alot! (Reply to this comment)
by dinoferrari74
ok well my cousin sold me his 74 dino ferrari all new stuff but it was a stick i was kinda scared to drive it its a expencive car but i read your post went into a empty parkinglot and practiced now i feel like a pro driving and getting into races and smoking them. THANKS :)
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Jul 14 '10
3:09 pm PDT
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Re: This is so helpful for me. (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
I'm glad you found my writing helpful. Good luck to you and your father. :)
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Jun 14 '10
10:59 pm PDT
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This is so helpful for me. (Reply to this comment)
by newdriver94
Okay so I have a little driving experience already but now my dad is finally letting me get my permit. I can drive pretty much anything and I was a little wary of getting behind the wheel of our manual. I read this and it helped a lot with giving me more information than I already knew and if you have any tips that might help me any farther I'd be really thankful. Thanks so much!!
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May 16 '10
6:38 pm PDT
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Re: Great job bro (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Nov 06 '09
11:20 pm PST
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Re: Engine Braking (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
You forgot to mention engine braking!
[I believe I did mention that. When I mentioned to lift off the gas to slow down while still in gear.]
Basically, to slow down, progressively downshift instead of just relying on your brakes. You'll find that it greatly reduces brake wear. :)
[I covered that as well...]
Do NOT downshift if it will cause the engine to be rev to excessively high rpms. Do NOT downshift to 1, use your brakes (I've done it but it's really pointless). Engine braking tends to be most effective at higher rpms (3k or so) and levels off sharply at around 1.5k. YMMV, of course.
[Yep, yep... thanks, but again, covered.]
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Nov 06 '09
11:19 pm PST
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Great job bro (Reply to this comment)
by vizy93
Dude that kicked some butt. Nice one!
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May 17 '09
6:40 pm PDT
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Engine Braking (Reply to this comment)
by zaos
You forgot to mention engine braking!
Basically, to slow down, progressively downshift instead of just relying on your brakes. You'll find that it greatly reduces brake wear. :)
Do NOT downshift if it will cause the engine to be rev to excessively high rpms. Do NOT downshift to 1, use your brakes (I've done it but it's really pointless). Engine braking tends to be most effective at higher rpms (3k or so) and levels off sharply at around 1.5k. YMMV, of course.
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May 01 '09
7:33 pm PDT
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Re: This helped (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
Story? Um... thanks... Drift? Either you like the handbrake, or you're pitching into the corners a bit hard with sticky tires. The Mini Cooper is actually a very tossable car despite the short wheelbase.
Thanks for the comment!
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Nov 07 '08
8:41 pm PST
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This helped (Reply to this comment)
by ghall11
I think this was a great "story" for lack of better words it hepled me wrtite a speech for class and picked up a few tips to teach my mom i drive my aunts mini cooper all the time and my friends and family that have riden with me say i have masterd driving and the stick even though i am 15 i have learnd to "drift" in it even though it is a front wheel drive car
Thanks for the help
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Nov 02 '08
6:36 pm PST
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. (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
Thanks for all the comments and compliments! Sorry I haven't been here to reply as this review was written a while back and have moved down the list. However, I see that it is still very popular, and I am glad it has helped a lot of new drivers as well as induce some nostalgia for those who driven a standard transmission.
I have a friend who didn't like to drive other people's cars because he was afraid he'd break it, so he never learned to drive stick (even though I offered to teach him). Years later, he had to learn it the hard way - he went to truck driving school. He got the basics, but it was not enough to pass. He didn't really get the double-clutch technique for down shifting in trucks since they do not have any synchros like most cars do. Because he didn't know the basics of how manuals work, he didn't understand why he would need to double-clutch (nor the concept of why) to down shift.
Thanks again for reading, and I hope the newbies continue to come to read, learn, and comment as I love to hear your experiences and stories. :)
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Oct 09 '07
8:16 pm PDT
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Automatic/Manual (Reply to this comment)
by jrz-
I'd say: Not so different.
This is a view from the other side.
I owned 18 cars since I had a driving license. None of them were automatic. In fact I've been driven maybe 20 times with automatic. As we know, driving comes from the spine and you even think about that clutch/shift/gas-dance. First experience with automatic was terrible. Ok. Just put shifter in d-position and press that right pedal and it moves. Well it did. Next I normally hit the clutch and switch to second gear. Well I did. It was 240 Volvo with wide break pedal. Friend of mine broke his nose on dashboard. He did not use seat belt.....
And driving on ice or snow, winter road conditions? How do you know which is losing grip with automatic transmission? Turbine or wheels? I'm not sure!
In traffic jam, for example. If you run out of gas or timing-belt breaks you can drive car off the road by starter motor. Automatic doesn't allow it. And of course without that idiotic clutch-fail-safe...
I'm not convinced with automatic transmission.
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Jul 26 '07
4:14 pm PDT
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Re: ah, the fear of starting in the middle of a hill (Reply to this comment)
by immortalapathy
God, I know! I still jerk a little bit when I switch gears LOL..
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Jul 23 '07
2:23 am PDT
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Thank You (Reply to this comment)
by immortalapathy
Hello,
Iam a new owner of a Honda stick shift and let me tell you, The first time ever stepping foot into it.. I could not even get it going!! Now, I have sort of learned, at least, getting it moving and not stauling the first time in 1st gear! But, Iam not a pro and still have not mastered the stick shift.. But it is a fun car to drive and I love it!! It is very confusing for me, but Iam learning day by day..
I have had the pains of stauling at an intersection so that review of the tip of stauling in an intersection really made me laugh, That was so funny the way you worded it LOL!!
Your review was very helpful and I enjoyed reading it, Thank You so very much!
Youre Awesome!
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Jul 23 '07
2:16 am PDT
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Awesome article!!! (Reply to this comment)
by ladyconsumer
I would give this an MH, if I could! I guess I'm one of those brainless American drivers referred to below. Learned on an automatic, and never really had any experience with a manual. The few times I had to drive one, I just sorta bounced along and prayed for the best!
This was a great read - and if I'm ever brave enough to try it again, I'll definitely use your advice!!
Mona
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Jun 15 '07
8:05 am PDT
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Do you heel/toe as well? (Reply to this comment)
by bettega
I do... with EVERY downshift!
I love the noise too!
This was a great piece to read. God, most american drivers are SOOO brainless it was refreshing to read it and YES, I read every word. I pretty much knew it, but it's great to know someone else in this country does too! =)
Happy holidays
Bettega
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Dec 20 '06
2:59 pm PST
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Excellent article (Reply to this comment)
by jeffrey_counts
This article by nad_masters on driving a stickshift provides an excellent background and solid instruction. From my experience, some people have tried to learn and have had a lousy teacher and have thus become too scared to try to learn. An excellent way I found to learn to drive is through a course offered at http://www.learnstickshift.com. They offer a CD you can pop in your car and it will walk you through step by step in a nice relaxed manner. It's a great practical way to learn, and compliments nad_masters excellent summary.
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Oct 11 '05
12:18 pm PDT
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I REMEMBER (Reply to this comment)
by louisdrinkingt
that for many years, I owned and drove MANY many cars (maybe hundreds) and ONLY 2 were automatic [which I hated].
Your excellent story brought back many excellent memories--THANKS.
NOW in 2005 I ride a Vespa scooter [ thats automatic,] and any time I need to use a car --I rent a manual...the ONLY way to DRIVE.
Thanks again.
Lou
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Jul 23 '05
11:31 pm PDT
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Re: ah, the fear of starting in the middle of a hill (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
I dare to ride with you. :)
Glad you feel much more confident!
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Jun 14 '05
6:10 am PDT
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ah, the fear of starting in the middle of a hill (Reply to this comment)
by drivka
Thank you for this article. I found it very helpful. It has been a long time since my last stick shift and I am a little rusty. My biggest fear is starting on a hill. You have made my mental fart go away.
Look out! If anyone sees me lurching down the street......just pull off to the side.
Anyone want a ride? Come on in. I cannot be held responsible for any whiplash pain you might feel after we get to where we are going.
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Jun 13 '05
10:12 am PDT
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Too young. (Reply to this comment)
by cutiepiethe2
I'm too young to drive, still, but stick shift cars seem like fun! I'd rather much drive that instead of the may autos found on the road now. Thanks for the information!
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Dec 19 '04
3:43 pm PST
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i hate driving stick! (Reply to this comment)
by heezie
your review helped me understand how to drive my car better. my sister taught me how to drive it, but she left a lot of things out. for instance starting in 1st. geeez...talk about a pain in the butt. either i peel out or i stall.
braking when i'm in gear, that's a pain too.
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Dec 05 '04
10:45 pm PST
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Re: Great article (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
Thank you for reading, rating, and commenting. :) I'm glad you find this useful, as sometimes I re-read it again just to make sure I got it right. :D It's been a long time since I wrote this, and I am glad it is still helping new stick shift drivers.
Best of luck, and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Nov 24 '04
5:47 am PST
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Great article (Reply to this comment)
by ochiee
Thanks so much for this article. I was looking for a good way to explain this to my step-daughter, while teaching her to drive a stick shift. It's been about 20 years since I learned this (& since I've had to drive a stick), so I was in dire need of a 'refresher' before being able to teach it. Very well written.
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Nov 23 '04
10:45 am PST
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Re: A small correction (Reply to this comment)
by nad_masters
You are right about that... it's actually called shift-locking... a technique to "drift"... which basically makes your rear drive tires lose grip so it can slide your car quickly around corners (if you know how to do it right).
Of course, any kind of "sliding" is not welcomed on the street. And, for a front drive cars (like most cars are now), it can be very disturbing, and even unintuitive to correct for most begining drivers.
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Aug 11 '04
9:50 pm PDT
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