I has a confuse

"Kailand09" (kailand09) 04/26/2014 at 12:28 • Filed to: None

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So I don't have a lot of experience driving manual, and I'm a bit confused about something from my last experience.

A buddy drives a GTO (the 4th gen), and let me drive it in an empty parking lot. I was setting up in the drivers seat and notice I needed to move really close to really comfortably push the clutch all the way in, and felt almost uncomfortably close to the wheel compared to where I sit in an auto car. I expected to be a little closer but it seemed like a lot.

I'm also 6' tall, so not too short. I felt like even with the seat all the way in someone particularly short wouldn't be able to push the clutch in all the way?

What am I missing here? Do you guys pretty much fully extend your leg to push the clutch in?

Aaron James > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:31

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I do the same thing, it's what's comfortable for me, I do lean the seat back to get a little distance from the wheel though. 5'8 though not blessed with height.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:32

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Its all in the ankle, once you get used to it you wont use your leg as much but your ankle movement to do most of the pushing. That is how i do it.

Kailand09 > Aaron James 04/26/2014 at 12:40

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thanks, I just wasn't sure if I looked like an idiot sitting pretty close lol

Kailand09 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 04/26/2014 at 12:41

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thanks I'll have to keep that in mind. It will be some time before I can afford the weekend car that will be manual, but in the meantime when I drive buddies' cars I'd like to have an idea lol.

doodon2whls > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:42

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It probably has an adjustable tilt/stroke steering wheel. You probably needed to move the steering wheel forward.

Spoon II > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:44

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It depends on the car for me, because I have really big feet sometimes there's only a certain way I can hit the clutch. I stand by the "whatever works" methodology, but generally I'll just use the ankle if possible.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:44

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You do not want to drive a manual, or any car for that matter with your legs extended so far your knees lock. If you have a crash, you're gonna have a bad time.

I prefer to sit almost vertical with my legs extending only about half way from 90 degrees when I drive. It's easier to have fun with some pedal-box heroics when you don't have to lock your knees.

A clutch pedal also has more travel than your brake and gas since you have to fully dis-engage it to shift.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:45

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Yea manual just takes some time to get used to. I DD a Miata and you get used to driving stick i almost dont realize im shifting. And when you get in an automatic car you try to push the clutch in to start it :)

AthomSfere > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 12:47

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I am 6' and have me seat about 95% of the way back, I do the opposite of Aaron James though, I put my seat pretty far forward to reach the seat with a slight bend in my elbows.

When I adjust my seat, I start with the car off generally, and push the clutch all the way back. I then move the seat back until I can keep the pedal against the firewall with a very slight bend in the knees, then I jack the seat about as high as it will go, and then lean my seat back or forward just enough so I have a slight bend in my elbows too.

I consider this safe, and also comfortable. When the air bags went off in a 60+ crash (Driver pulled onto the highway without looking, t-boned...) My head/ face didn't touch the airbags! In fact, only injury I had was a very minor friction burn on my forearm from the air bag deployment. I didn't notice that until about an hour later.

Aaron James > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 13:07

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Nah, no one would ever notice. You're better of being comfortable driving a car than looking cool.

The WB > Kailand09 04/26/2014 at 13:44

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Most people sit really far back these days. Your elbows should not be extended, if your shoulders hurt driving with both hands on the wheel, your seat is probably leaned too far back. For example, these guys drive hundreds of miles using both hands. They sit basically upright, with their elbows close to their ribcage:

Skif6996 > The WB 04/26/2014 at 13:49

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But those guys only turn one direction... ;-)

The WB > Skif6996 04/26/2014 at 13:52

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But they do it for a long, long time.

Kailand09 > The WB 04/26/2014 at 14:37

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funny enough, I drive completely upright while driving and my friends say I look like an old man and can't sit that way, but it's so much more comfortable and engaging while driving.

That said, I don't sit as close as pictured, I question the safety due to airbags. Though I sit close enough I think. I just felt the clutch was such a long throw, but it might just be unfamiliarity.