Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32
Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32
I got owned! I purchased my first Z32 (1990 N/A) yesterday not knowing how to drive a stick. I got it out today and got owned. I think it was my teacher (and the fact I was hungry and getting irritated at the same time...so I was pretty grumpy). Oh well, I'll give it a shot again tomorrow. I still love my Z!
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (Manyard)
As your first manual, this is going to be one crazy car and with it being rear wheel drive dont kill yourself.
When someone asks me the best way to learn I tell them that the number one thing to learn is where you clutch engages. Once you know the throw range of your clutch, driving stick becomes as easy as changing gears on a 10 speed.
So, to do this just go to a nice area where no one is at, like a college parking lot on a weekend or some dead end road with no kids playing.
At a full dead stop (on flat ground) push the clutch all the way to the floor like when you start it. Then put it in first and SLOWLY let your foot up from the floor. Control the peddle as smooth as possible. It will feel like forever and youll want to move your foot faster BUT DONT!
Eventually you will feel it start to engage and the car will move. Just press the clutch back down to the floor, press the brakes and fully stop. Do this a few times to let your foot and brain understand how its slowly engaging the drivetrain.
NOTE: DO NOT USE THE GAS PEDDLE AT THIS STAGE. Simple learn where the car is starting to move. If it sounds like the engine will die (shouldnt, has plenty of power to roll off to a start if you control your clutch) just press the clutch back down and the car will return to idle.
OK, so once you find yourself knowing where your clutch begins to engage repeat and slowly bring the peddle all the way up (so that your foot comes off) without stalling the engine. DONT USE GAS AGAIN. Yes, sounds boring but 90% of driving stick is knowing your clutch.
This is where youll want lots of space. Basicly slowly let your foot up and eventually youll be fully rolling in first gear. Just clutch again and brake and repeat.
IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG AT ANY POINT REMEMBER CLUTCH AND BRAKE IMMEDIATELY
eventually youll learn where your clutch range and youll start taking off using the gas so you arent putting along like a Honda.
Shifting is as simple as clutching, moving to the next gear, and then relatively releasing the clutch. But, if you get to much speed for the area you are in just clutch and then brake. Once you clutch you can take it out of gear and rest your left foot as well.
So, there are many methods to teaching/learning to drive stick. This is how I usually teach people as its going to be less stress on the car (burning out clutchs or running into something)
Good luck and dont get yourself or that Z killed!
When someone asks me the best way to learn I tell them that the number one thing to learn is where you clutch engages. Once you know the throw range of your clutch, driving stick becomes as easy as changing gears on a 10 speed.
So, to do this just go to a nice area where no one is at, like a college parking lot on a weekend or some dead end road with no kids playing.
At a full dead stop (on flat ground) push the clutch all the way to the floor like when you start it. Then put it in first and SLOWLY let your foot up from the floor. Control the peddle as smooth as possible. It will feel like forever and youll want to move your foot faster BUT DONT!
Eventually you will feel it start to engage and the car will move. Just press the clutch back down to the floor, press the brakes and fully stop. Do this a few times to let your foot and brain understand how its slowly engaging the drivetrain.
NOTE: DO NOT USE THE GAS PEDDLE AT THIS STAGE. Simple learn where the car is starting to move. If it sounds like the engine will die (shouldnt, has plenty of power to roll off to a start if you control your clutch) just press the clutch back down and the car will return to idle.
OK, so once you find yourself knowing where your clutch begins to engage repeat and slowly bring the peddle all the way up (so that your foot comes off) without stalling the engine. DONT USE GAS AGAIN. Yes, sounds boring but 90% of driving stick is knowing your clutch.
This is where youll want lots of space. Basicly slowly let your foot up and eventually youll be fully rolling in first gear. Just clutch again and brake and repeat.
IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG AT ANY POINT REMEMBER CLUTCH AND BRAKE IMMEDIATELY
eventually youll learn where your clutch range and youll start taking off using the gas so you arent putting along like a Honda.
Shifting is as simple as clutching, moving to the next gear, and then relatively releasing the clutch. But, if you get to much speed for the area you are in just clutch and then brake. Once you clutch you can take it out of gear and rest your left foot as well.
So, there are many methods to teaching/learning to drive stick. This is how I usually teach people as its going to be less stress on the car (burning out clutchs or running into something)
Good luck and dont get yourself or that Z killed!
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (Nore)
Hey Nore, thanks for the help, I'll defenetly try that out. My step dad actually told me the same thing. That was my biggest problem was timing the clutch just right.
I won't kill myself, I promise
I've been wanting a Z32 for a long time now, I fell in love with my 87 Z31. Started saving my money a few months ago hoping to get my Z32. Looked at a few cars, they just weren't for me. The day I found my Z32 I actually looked at another 87 Z31 Turbo, took it to a shop and had too much work that had to be done right away. The next day I bought my Z32. I'm gonna baby this car, do slight mods (Rims, tint, alarm etc).
I won't kill myself, I promise
I've been wanting a Z32 for a long time now, I fell in love with my 87 Z31. Started saving my money a few months ago hoping to get my Z32. Looked at a few cars, they just weren't for me. The day I found my Z32 I actually looked at another 87 Z31 Turbo, took it to a shop and had too much work that had to be done right away. The next day I bought my Z32. I'm gonna baby this car, do slight mods (Rims, tint, alarm etc).
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nghtrain88
- Posts: 1533
- Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 7:40 am
- Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZXTT
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (Manyard)
..and babying is exactly what the car deserves
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (nghtrain88)
Day 2 went a lot better! I'm getting the starts and shifting a lot better. But I still don't feel comfortable on hills yet. I won't be driving it to work tomorrow, but as soon as I get home I'm gonna take it back out and drive it some more by myself this time.
Is this taking me a long time? I've driven for about 2 hours give or take a little time. Am I catching on slow? I know everyone learns at a different speed, I'm just wondering how long it took everyone else to learn.
Is this taking me a long time? I've driven for about 2 hours give or take a little time. Am I catching on slow? I know everyone learns at a different speed, I'm just wondering how long it took everyone else to learn.
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (Manyard)
IMO, youll be learning for a lot longer. Once you get the basics down youll have to start learning how to downshift without blowing your engine or making the car frog along.
The only way to really learn is to spend time driving. The longer you drive stick the more it will become second nature.
As for how long it takes you, I have a few friends never really understand how to smoothly shift and it always feels like your being punched in the back when they shift. If you are starting to make smooth gear changes and takeoffs then I would say you are catching on at a pretty good speed.
The only way to really learn is to spend time driving. The longer you drive stick the more it will become second nature.
As for how long it takes you, I have a few friends never really understand how to smoothly shift and it always feels like your being punched in the back when they shift. If you are starting to make smooth gear changes and takeoffs then I would say you are catching on at a pretty good speed.
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bone_stock_240
- Posts: 3467
- Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:50 am
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (Nore)
Yeah, getting the fundamentals down is easy, but making your upshifts and downshifts smooth and silky is where the difficulty and all the enjoyment lie. I love shifting so smoothly that my passengers aren't even aware that I shifted. The automatic corolla I am driving now feels positively ragged in the way it shifts compared to what I used to do in my 240.
Re: Trying to drive a clutch for the first time in my new Z32 (bone_stock_240)
Well then, I guess its safe to say I'm not doing to bad. shifting isnt a problem for me much, Its a little rough every once in a while, going from 1st to 2nd has been my only problem so far, sometimes I shift a little early, but I'm getting better. I'm just about to go out for the 3rd time, woot! This time I'm going by myself. I'm hoping that by tomorrow I'll be using my new car as my daily.