Do's and Don't of a manual transmission

"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
10/26/2014 at 20:38 • Filed to: None

So i've looked out there, and there doesn't seem to be a good list of what you should and shouldn't do with a manual gearbox.

Of course, there's a fair amount said about not riding the clutch and hanging at too low of an RPM whatnot, but there's not much out there about exactly what you shouldn't do beyond that.

Does anyone know things that us few manual driver's shouldn't do?

DISCUSSION (55)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:40

Granny shift instead of double clutching.

Scary__goongala! > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:41

Don't granny shift

Always double clutch like you should

CRider > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:41

Go around the internet with a holier-than-thou attitude screaming about your stick shift like it's God's gift to automobiles. Get over yourself.

Steve in Manhattan > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:42

When you're stopped, transmission in neutral, foot off the clutch. Saves the cable and clutch bearing.

Brian Silvestro > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:42

Don't treat it like an on/off switch?

That was my problem when I first started learning.

sellphones2493 > CRider
10/26/2014 at 20:43

Sounds like we got a CVT-owner in here...

Dsscats > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:43

Don't grind 'em till you find 'em.

bob and john > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:44

Kinja'd!!!

his was a double post by kinja. sorry

bob and john > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:45

Kinja'd!!!

SPACE BALL

SPPPAAACCCEEEEE

Kinja'd!!!

Alfalfa > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:47

Kinja'd!!!

Don't let people confuse you?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:52

Shots fired...

Kinja'd!!!

My citroen won't start > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:53

Don't sit on it.

CAcoalminer > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:54

1. 3rd gear starts

2. repeated high rpm clutch drops

Scorpio GTX1 > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:54

Don't buy one of those idiotic dildo shift knobs.

Kinja'd!!!

You don't look cool.

Kinja'd!!!

Sam > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:55

When at a light, if you have no one behind you, hold the brake regardless of the incline. People get confused when they see a car sitting with no brake lights on.

jkm7680 > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:56

Don't use 5th as a cruising gear, use 6th if you have one.

athought123 > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 20:58

Kinja'd!!!

this shifter. thats what

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > CRider
10/26/2014 at 20:58

Oppo logic: this

Kinja'd!!!

is a millions times better than this

Kinja'd!!!

Because the Huracan has an automatic.

tpw_rules > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 21:05

Don't rest your hand on the stick. It puts stress on the synchros.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
10/26/2014 at 21:05

Untrue! I just wish I could shift my own gears the traditional way. Nothing wrong with this DCT stuff, it's just what I like is all. Is that a problem?

That being said, I'd take a manual Gallardo over a DCT Huracan if I had money and the opportunity.

wafflesnfalafel > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 21:18

Change the transmission fluid every 30,000 mi. And don't abuse it.

And while a manual transmission is not God's gift to automobiles - it's pretty darn close. There isn't much better than a perfect 1-2-3 acceleration or a 3-2 downshift in to a tight corner. It's control. It's making the machine do exactly what you want it to. Yes - a robot DSG or auto slush box is quicker now - but it makes the decisions. It's why people drink $150 bottles of wine, or pay thousands of dollars for art, or tear up at powerful music. Not judging at all. Honestly - just try it. Take a course.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 21:32

Learn to rev match. Not dickish sideways ballcap annoy the neighbors, but if you are coming off the freeway to a stop light and you are going to third, tap the gas and bring the revs up so you don't lurch everybody in the car.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 22:08

Don't cut the ignition while coasting and then let the clutch back out and giggle like a little girl when the engine burps back to life.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
10/26/2014 at 22:44

That corolla will run forever though <3

Porsche924GTR > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 22:44

Do not drive with you hand resting on the shift lever.

Shift with your fingers and thumb - don't grip it like a hammer.

Learn to Heel-Toe.

Learn to Rev-match.

Don't ride (burn) the clutch.

Don't let your left foot rest on the clutch pedal - even a little bit.

Practice changing gears without a clutch - you may have to drive with a broken cable one day.

Popping the clutch for a burn out frequently - will result in replacing the clutch more often.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/26/2014 at 22:45

Dammit, now I have to do that. The thought never occurred to me until seeing this.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/26/2014 at 22:47

It's like bump starting the car but you're already moving.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 22:52

I've been driving a stick since I was 19 and I still don't really think about it...

My brother in law does the whole high-rev (rev-matching?) shifts and loves to downshift for any given opportunity. He criticizes how I drive sometimes.

I am the opposite. I don't get near redline when shifting (unless we're talking on-ramp stuff), and I shift into neutral and coast at any given opportunity. I roll out of stops in second gear if I can. I cruise in high gear at lower RPM, sometimes maybe too low, been trying to stop that.

I have no idea if what I'm doing is good or bad. I've never owned a car long enough to wear out a clutch. I mean I had a civic for four years and it shifted like butter, I guess.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/26/2014 at 23:05

The only thing I would really try and change is using second from a stop. You have a first gear for a reason, use it.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
10/26/2014 at 23:10

Well I'm in the process of losing first gear on this transmission... So I'm distributing some of that wear to trusty #2, thus leaving #1 partially available for circumstances that really need it.

Unfortunately, it'll rust apart long before I lose either gear completely.

stuttgartobsessed > sellphones2493
10/26/2014 at 23:11

This is one of the coolest looking gearboxes. ever. leather shift boot < THIS < H-gate.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/26/2014 at 23:13

Fair enough then, you have a pretty good reason. haha.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/26/2014 at 23:52

I stalled the jetta once, and I started it right back up with the bump starting. holy shit.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
10/27/2014 at 00:25

When the ignition is on, the fuel injectors and whatnot are all operating, but the only thing missing is engine rotation. Normally the starter motor provides that but physically moving a car in gear with the ignition on will get it going.

...Do NOT try this with an automatic.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/27/2014 at 00:26

Paddle shifters are amazing. Just don't asking me that if on a switch back or hard turn... Things get.. difficult

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/27/2014 at 00:27

yup, thought it was only possible with a gasoline car at first though.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
10/27/2014 at 00:29

Sometimes with the Jeep though I do it while rolling because it's hilarious. The 4.2 comes back to life like a beast awakening from its slumber.

Sally O'Broder > sellphones2493
10/27/2014 at 00:30

Don't forget to change the clutch.

Seriously don't do that.

Don't adjust the clutch cable out of spec, but also make sure you do adjust it so that you're able to shift as best as you personally can.

Don't get an ugly shifter.

Don't forget to change your gear oil. Do learn how to do this yourself.

Sally O'Broder > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
10/27/2014 at 00:30

Absolutely!

Sally O'Broder > CRider
10/27/2014 at 00:30

Never.

Sally O'Broder > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/27/2014 at 00:32

I actually do this as part of my hyper-miling. Yes, it can be tough on the car, but that's cool because I can save enough money to fix any damage. :P

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
10/27/2014 at 01:32

In what way?

His Stigness > sellphones2493
10/27/2014 at 03:16

Don't rest your hand on the shift lever. Not if you want your synchros to last that is.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/27/2014 at 07:33

Once you get the wheel turned if a shift point arrives but the steering wheel is upside down you have to grab the right paddle or the stick shift

smitdoshi > Porsche924GTR
10/27/2014 at 15:05

how much does an average clutch cost on lets say a civic or something like that with install? I know how a manual works on paper but never had practice in a real car and i want a manual car to be my next toy. was thinking of picking something cheap for practice and moving on to a good car after. Just curious as to how much it costs to operate for someone new.

Bunsandroses > Porsche924GTR
10/27/2014 at 17:13

Keep in mind that many manny tranny cars today are econoboxes, such as my Saturn SL. It its case, popping the clutch is a good way to throw the diff pin through the transaxle case.

And I would disagree about clutchless shifting. Fixing a broken cable is far cheaper than rebuilding your tranny, which is what you're risking with clutchless shifting.

Porsche924GTR > smitdoshi
10/27/2014 at 22:03

Cost to operate? Not more than an auto.

A repair/replace of a clutch is a lot cheaper than that of an Automatic transmission. Clutches are designed to be replaced. Some cars are easier than others. I changed the clutch in my Solara way back...and it was much harder being a FWD than that of most RWD cars. Parts are cheap - the labor is usually more.

Clutches will last a long time if babied and not long at all if abused. So it really depends all on the driver. Eventually, it will need to be replaced...but there really is no way to say how long for sure.

Sanettika > sellphones2493
10/29/2014 at 07:43

What in the name of all that is holy and good is wrong with that shifter? There's supposed to be a boot there, not some obnoxious plastic plate. And no R-1-2-3-4-5 diagram on top of the knob! Someone should be beaten with sticks.