how to drive a stick

[Dr-Mad]

I know this is embarassing but, how do you drive a stick, aka manual/ stardard. Any sites to how its done? I heard you shift according to speed, or is it that you shift according to rpms.

-Thanks

 

[Famine]

Well of course, they're the same thing.

In my car, shifting at 7200rpm in each gear, I'd change at 28mph, 55mph, 78mph and 105mph. The speed ranges are 0-28mph in 1st, 0-55mph in 2nd, 2-78mph in 3rd, 5-105mph in 4th and 15-141mph in 5th. As long as you stay in those boundaries, you're fine.

 

[super cirrus]

Are you just trying to learn how to drive, or how to drive fast (Famine's way).

 

[Dr-Mad]

just average driving.

 

[Gsir8]

This may help http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp

 

[PublicSecrecy]

Depends on the car too. If you're in a rotary you're definately going to be making hi-rev shifts. If you redline for too long, or shift at too high of a speed (maxed out obviously) it can be damaging to the engine. And please, for the sake of god, DO NOT SIT AND REV THE ENGINE IN BELOW FREAZING TEMPERATURES IF THE CAR HAS NOT WARMED UP. Just tohught i'd make that clear. I'm not even going to bother listing off all the things that can happen, although if you're in a rotary you can do it - a little longer. I would recommend getting the car dyno'd and then find out where the torque curve starts dorpping. If the torque curve is quite flat, shift @ the redline, if the torque curve keeps climbing past the redline, shift @ the redline, if the torque curve begins dropping however before the redline, then shift a little after the apex of the torque curve. Out of curiosity, how old are you, what car are you driving, and what experience do you have?

 

[gmartin]

It's funny that people use the term "stick" when referring to a manual transmission. Just say it aloud "how to drive a stick". Doesn't that sound funny? Anyway, Dr-Mad, there was a thread not too long ago about learning how to operate a manual transmission. Try searchin' 👍

EDIT:
here it is: http://gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51856

 

[Famine]

Are you just trying to learn how to drive, or how to drive fast (Famine's way).

I did say "IF" I were to change up at 7200rpm in each gear.

 

[Stinky Chicken]

This gets funniest thread of the year, easy.

The little numbers on the gear knob are there for a reason.

 

[daan]

how do you drive a stick,

Do you mean one of these?

 

[Stinky Chicken]

Seriously, the numbers on the knob are there for a reason, Dr Mad...

 

[Famine]

Do you mean one of these?

Funnily, Mattel withdrew one of these last Christmas.

They had the H***y P****r merchandising contract and brought out a range of "Nimbus 3000" vibrating broomsticks, so kids could pretend to fly around in a not-at-all-plagiarised-oh-no world being the aforementioned bespectacled gimp.

Only they received several complaints from "enraged" parents. They said that their sons weren't getting a look in, because their teenage daughters were.... errr... umm.... Well, vibrating broomstick? Do I have to draw the pictures (anyone who says "Yes" will be shot)?

 

[Stinky Chicken]

Yes.

 

[98cobra]

This may help http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp

👍 That really helps.

 

[Freddie]

Only they received several complaints from "enraged" parents. They said that their sons weren't getting a look in, because their teenage daughters were.... errr... umm.... Well, vibrating broomstick? Do I have to draw the pictures (anyone who says "Yes" will be shot)?

Hmm... Wouldn't it just be easier to link to a photo on the web?

 

[Stinky Chicken]

Hmm... Wouldn't it just be easier to link to a photo on the web?

That's blatant linking to pornography, which falls under "bad" in the AUP and TOS which can be found at the bottom of the forums front page.

 

[Freddie]

That's blatant linking to pornography, which falls under "bad" in the AUP and TOS which can be found at the bottom of the forums front page.

Yes, I know. It was just a joke. Sorry, but I'm really bored right now.

 

[Dr-Mad]

Depends on the car too. If you're in a rotary you're definately going to be making hi-rev shifts. If you redline for too long, or shift at too high of a speed (maxed out obviously) it can be damaging to the engine. And please, for the sake of god, DO NOT SIT AND REV THE ENGINE IN BELOW FREAZING TEMPERATURES IF THE CAR HAS NOT WARMED UP. Just tohught i'd make that clear. I'm not even going to bother listing off all the things that can happen, although if you're in a rotary you can do it - a little longer. I would recommend getting the car dyno'd and then find out where the torque curve starts dorpping. If the torque curve is quite flat, shift @ the redline, if the torque curve keeps climbing past the redline, shift @ the redline, if the torque curve begins dropping however before the redline, then shift a little after the apex of the torque curve. Out of curiosity, how old are you, what car are you driving, and what experience do you have?

I'm 16, and I'll be probably driving a calvalier/sunfire or a honda civic.


Man that one hell of a picture... just wants to make you laugh on a halloween.

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Smallhorses]

Think you're definitely doing the right thing learning in a manual.
Its madness that in this country (USA) someone who learns and passes a test in an automatic is licenced to drive a manual which they have no experience of!
Back in England, if you pass your test in a manual (which 99% of people, maybe more do), you're licenced to drive an auto, but, if you pass your test in an auto you'll get an "automatic only" licence and have to re-pass your test to get a manual licence.

 

[Crazydude]

Well first of all you have to get your legs used to the clutch. Its all about timing. You will stall out the first couple of times but after u find the "spot" of the clutch your all good. When starting off hold down the clutch all the way and press down the gas 2-2.5 cm. As soon as you press down the gas start letting go of the clutch, but not all the way, start letting go until you feel it getting heavy, and hold it at that point until the car engages in gear. Once you feel it has engaged then you can fully let go of the clutch. Just repeat for each gear with a bit more gas depending on your speed. When coming to a complete stop put the car in neutral and let go of the clutch, it will last longer if you do this. When starting on a steep hill, put it in first, pull your handbrake up and go just like you are starting from a stationary position, give it more gas though so it can get past the hill, once you feel the car engage in gear put the handbrake down.
Another thing, When doing normal driving, shift between 2800-3200 rpm. When going up hill in a high gear your rpms will go down and you will feel the engine stuggling, when that happens downsift and your all good.

After you drive for a while you wont even have to think about this stuff, your hands will just do it on instinct.

 

[Duke]

Yes, I know. It was just a joke. Sorry, but I'm really bored right now.

Hey, guys, c'mere! There's somebody I'd like you to meet!

Stinky, Famine, Freddie? This is Mr. Topic. Stick near him for a while.

 

[Smallhorses]

One more important thing, don't forget to depress the clutch pedal when coming to a stop. If you stop with the clutch still engaged, the engine will stall in a hurry!

 

[Dr-Mad]

thanks for the advertisment on the first post .

As well I would like to thank everyone for help this. I just can't wait to get my car and start driving!

 

[game_tip]

i learned how to drive stick from www.standardshift.com , there forums are really helpful too

 

[Apclps]

Back in England, if you pass your test in a manual (which 99% of people, maybe more do), you're licenced to drive an auto, but, if you pass your test in an auto you'll get an "automatic only" licence and have to re-pass your test to get a manual licence.

Same thing applies for Belgium.

I think that learning to drive on a stick is better than on an automatic. It gives you more respect for driving and once you get the hang of it, it also gives you greater control.

You also have a slight difference between driving on gas or diesel. Diesel cars are more forgiving (for example, if you put a diesel in 1st gear and let the clutch come out very slowly, then the car will start rolling without stalling/pressing the gas). If you learn to drive on a diesel and then drive a gas, you are very likely to stall the engine in the beginning. You just need to know what to watch out for.

 

[Gil]

You must also engage your ears and the seat of your pants to drive a car/truck equipped with a manual trans.
1. shift into either 1st or reverse.
2. begin to ease the clutch up from the floor.
3. you will hear the engine begin to take a "strain" or feel the vehicle begin to move
4. continue to ease the clutch off the floor whilst pushing down gently on the accelerator.
5. If properly executed, the vehicle will move off smartly. If poorly executed you will burn up the tires. If crappily executed the vehicle will stall.
6. once the vehicle is moving it's simply a step on, shift, step off of the clutch, whilst doing the exact opposite with the gas.

7. practice a lot, remember that when brake goes down, so does clutch, at least in most on the street situations. On the track consult Duke. :

 

[Kungfujerry]

Well guys I'm a fifteen year old car fanatic but I will offer you what advice I can. Obviously, if you shift at high RPM's, you will get poor gas mileage. With climbing oil prices, that wouldn't be the practical way to go. The only reason you would need to shift at high RPM's, is if you are in a situation where you need to accelerate fast. It depends on the car though. Example a Subaru WRX generates maximum torque at 4000 RPM and maximum horsepower at 6000 RPM. The peticular engine redlines at 7000 RPM so there would be no need to shift much past 6000 RPM. If you keep the RPM's between about 4000 and 6000, you should be good if you want to accelerate quickly. My dad test drove one and noticed that the horsepower curve drops dramatically once you get to about 6500 RPM. Of course, for economy, you obviously never need to go past 4000 RPM to get sufficient acceleration.
In an Acura RSX Type-S though, you would have to shift at much higher RPM's to get maximum acceleration as the RSX's engine develops maximum torque at 7000 RPM and maximum horsepower at 7800 rpm. Since the RSX Type-S's engine redlines at 8000 RPM, you would have to get into the redline before you shift to get maximum horsepower.