Newbie with three pedals and incoming snowfall

"coriolis" (coriolis)
11/01/2013 at 11:57 • Filed to: None

It's now 4 months into ownership with my Focus ST and I've had a few questions that I have yet to get an answer for.

1. Wet shoes + clutch = Squeak-o-mania. Maybe the clutch pedal is different for different cars but the ST's clutch is aluminum with rubber grippy pads. When my shoes are wet from rain/snow/slush, it will squeak everytime I change gears. Am I doing something wrong or should I carry a rag and wipe my shoe everytime I get in?

2. Clutch feel + winter boots = stalling goes up 50%. I've tried a few pairs of boots and every single one I would have a hell of a time trying to feel the clutch engagement point. Do you guys get used to it or have a pair of 'driving' shoes in the car?

DISCUSSION (24)

Nibbles > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 11:58

1: Clean yo feet

2: Get used to it

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:00

It becomes muscle memory after a while. I can drive my car in my steel toe work boots no problem.

Jayhawk Jake > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:01

Just wipe your foot on the floor mat a few times.

Paul, Man of Mustangs > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:02

On point #2: Back when I had a manual trans car, with boots on I'd brute force it a bit more with extra throttle and let the clutch out about the same speed. No special driving boots, just gotta adapt your style.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:02

1. If the squeak bothers you that much wipe your feet

2. As Nibbles, Wack said get used to it. Also don't attempt to be aggressive with your shifting or starting. Clutch all the way in and probably feed more power than you think you need while coming from a stop.

Another recommendation I would make in snow is to start in second gear. In first gear you might get a lot of wheelspin, 2nd gear will allow you to stomp on the gas some more with your winter boots while being able to control the car a little better.

Benzed92 > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:02

My MS6 has aluminum pedals and rubber inserts, no such squeakiness to speak of, if it becomes a problem of actually slipping off the pedal I would do something about it, but if not you aren't really doing anything wrong.

And I don't really ever wear boots when driving for that reason, a pair of driving shoes in the car would solve both of your problems though!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:03

Squeaky pedals aren't anything to worry about if you have wet shoes. If you're super anal about keeping your ST clean then, by all means, keep a rag around to wipe off you shoes/pedals.

You'll get used to it. Just don't hurry with your clutch engagement and you won't stall so much.

More importantly, did you get some winter shoes for your car?

I thought the ST was sold with summer-only rubber, and by driving with those tires in the winter you will not have the traction you need to stop, go, or turn safely.

If you haven't gotten winter wheels and tires, you really need to do so right away. Also, remember to get slightly narrower wheels and tires for winter duty, as they will give you more traction when crap falling from the sky accumulates on the roads.

DocWalt > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:04

1) Clean your shoes or ignore the noise. I've never driven a car that doesn't do that.

2) Practice. It really sucks to drive in boots, but it would suck more if your feet fell off from frostbite :)

Casper > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:05

Just slip the clutch. A manual in snow is better than an automatic for getting moving without blowing traction. When slowing to stop, just don't down shift. Clutch all the way in, preselect 1st, and keep the clutch in until you stop. Don't bother trying to gear down... you are front wheel drive so you will load up resistance on the front end causing your steering to instantly become worthless.

Forgetful > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:13

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/every-time-you…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Meant to reply to you here, but posted to Oppo on its own.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:20

I wear combat boots every day (Air Force) and yes, the squeak does get a little annoying but you get used to it. As for the boots portion, that's something else you et used to over time, however, if you change boots (different brand or size) you will have a period of getting used to it again. Just how it goes.

Party-vi > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:25

You'll eventually get to the point where you only touch the clutch to shift into first or reverse from a stop. I got so accustomed to my transmission that I could just let the gear lever slip between gears when it was time to shift.

coriolis > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
11/01/2013 at 12:25

Yeap, summer tires. I have a set of 215/55/R16 Hankooks, not installed just yet.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:28

Okay. You aren't swapping tires on the same wheels are you?

You have 2 different sets of wheels and tires, right?

coriolis > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
11/01/2013 at 12:40

Yahhh theyre on steelies :)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:42

Awesome.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 12:58

Hydraulic clutch FTMFL! Its hard to get use to these hydraulic clutch cars to begin with, but in the snow it does become somewhat painful.

I constantly swap between a 700ft/lb cable-driven clutch in my Cobra and the dinky hydraulic clutch in my Focus and its very hard to get in and not almost stall it the first few take offs. I'd agree with the consensus in saying take it slow and never let your nerves or anxiety get the best of you. I strongly believe most wrecks in the snow are simply a mixture of lacking driver confidence and hesitation/nerves. Slow and predictable is the name of the game in the winter time.

Walfisch > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 13:05

I once owned a 02 WRX for a few years, so here's my take.

1) I remember always driving that car with a pair of sneakers, even during snow season. Yes, the squeaks do bother me at times, but it's nothing serious. My bigger worry back then was slipping off a pedal, which was easily fixed by: keeping a towel nearby to clean my shoes, and making sure I have the pedals in full control when I step on them.

2) There are times, also, that I had to wear steel-toe shoes on my way to work (I usually keep these on the trunk, and switch to them once I reach my workplace). And yeah, I do stall a few times, especially on inclines. It's not a big issue, trust me. Just get used to the awkward pedal travel during those times, and you'll be fine. I once sat in 2.5 hours of stop and go traffic in that car during a nasty snow storm while wearing my steel toes. Not fun at all, but it was still a learning experience. Also, the only place to be concerned during winter would be on bad snow storms with some snow accumulation on the road like I said. In that case, adjust your driving accordingly, and be more defensive - consider braking distance, your car distance to the one in front and throttle control during those times.

Pitchblende > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 13:10

I usually make my commute in steel-toecapped boots, never have a problem, just take it nice and slow, and eventually you learn exactly where the bite point is. Be careful swapping cars, my old car had a bite point so low that if you started driving it after having driven another car for a day, then you would immediately stall it.

Barbarian772 > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 13:56

1) if you don't slip of the pedal I think there's nothing to worry about. I don't think it does the car any harm(except for making it dirty)

2)This will get better after some practice.... As soon as you've driven a few thousand miles with your manual you get better and better at drving with shoes you don't have any feel in. Practice is the only thing that helps you to solve this problem.

Barbarian772 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/01/2013 at 13:57

but wheelspin is so much fun!!!!!!

tromoly > Walfisch
11/01/2013 at 14:48

I've never had a problem wearing steel toes and driving stick, it's all about feeling the clutch grab in your butt than through your foot.

LimitedSlipDiff > coriolis
11/01/2013 at 14:50

Very rarely do I ever wear boots, even with feet of snow. When I do, just keep the revs a little higher, and let the clutch out slower - no stalls.

turbosuperencabulator > tromoly
11/01/2013 at 15:06

The only issue I've ever had wearing my steel toes and driving was mashing the clutch and brake at the same time.