Driving a stick
06-05-2003, 03:44 PM
#16
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I just went through this. After years of driving standard 'here and there', and never really getting a firm grasp on it, I dropped a chunk of change at a local driving school for and hour and a half lesson with a standard shift. It was a '97 Civic coupe, and it was all I needed to finally grasp the skill. It's the best way to it, IMO-after many attempts to learn standard with my friends and their cars, there is no doubt a driving school is the way to go.
BTW, none of the major rental agencies rent standards for the exact reason you need one. You may also want to try 'Rent-a-Wreck' if they are in your area. Good luck!
BTW, none of the major rental agencies rent standards for the exact reason you need one. You may also want to try 'Rent-a-Wreck' if they are in your area. Good luck!
06-11-2003, 08:17 PM
#17
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Is autocross and rally even possible with an auto? 
Just kidding.
The control you get out of the standard is awesome. I always drove auto pickups from high school through college. When I got my job, I bought a GT Mustang. It has more power and gets better gas mileage than the trucks did on my long drives home. Definitely more fun too. I test drove the stick and auto the day I bought, and right before I signed the paperwork, I changed my mind and went with the stick.
You have sooo much more control in a vehicle with a standard transmission. Better fuel economy and more gears to play with usually. I learned by driving tractors as a kid. The first time I ever drove a stick on the road was for a business I worked for. They sent me to town to get some supplies in a Ford F-350 dually powerstroke diesel. I was skipping gears and everything else, but with the diesel I couldn't kill the motor. tons of torque to get me going too. Take it easy and think it through. I show these links to a lot of people when they try to learn sticks. It helps to understand the components of the car and how the clutch, tranny and all work before you strap into one....
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm
Some of the animations and pics are great to understand the systems at least basically. Then you can go to town. It still takes practice to get good, but it is much easier starting knowing some details. hope this helps...
-CLD_FSN
Just kidding.The control you get out of the standard is awesome. I always drove auto pickups from high school through college. When I got my job, I bought a GT Mustang. It has more power and gets better gas mileage than the trucks did on my long drives home. Definitely more fun too. I test drove the stick and auto the day I bought, and right before I signed the paperwork, I changed my mind and went with the stick.
You have sooo much more control in a vehicle with a standard transmission. Better fuel economy and more gears to play with usually. I learned by driving tractors as a kid. The first time I ever drove a stick on the road was for a business I worked for. They sent me to town to get some supplies in a Ford F-350 dually powerstroke diesel. I was skipping gears and everything else, but with the diesel I couldn't kill the motor. tons of torque to get me going too. Take it easy and think it through. I show these links to a lot of people when they try to learn sticks. It helps to understand the components of the car and how the clutch, tranny and all work before you strap into one....
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm
Some of the animations and pics are great to understand the systems at least basically. Then you can go to town. It still takes practice to get good, but it is much easier starting knowing some details. hope this helps...
-CLD_FSN
06-13-2003, 11:05 AM
#18
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I first learned to drive a stick in a 1969 Renault 16 with 4 on the column. I learned to drive an unsynchronized transmission on various tractors, while working as a groundskeeper at some colleges.
But for the sake of turning the converstion to another direction, does anybody else ever make this mistake in an automatic: Start from a stop, let the engine run up in first gear, then lift off the gas and JAM the brake like it's a clutch?
But for the sake of turning the converstion to another direction, does anybody else ever make this mistake in an automatic: Start from a stop, let the engine run up in first gear, then lift off the gas and JAM the brake like it's a clutch?
06-13-2003, 03:24 PM
#19
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Originally posted by The_Lizard
I first learned to drive a stick in a 1969 Renault 16 with 4 on the column. I learned to drive an unsynchronized transmission on various tractors, while working as a groundskeeper at some colleges.
But for the sake of turning the converstion to another direction, does anybody else ever make this mistake in an automatic: Start from a stop, let the engine run up in first gear, then lift off the gas and JAM the brake like it's a clutch?
I first learned to drive a stick in a 1969 Renault 16 with 4 on the column. I learned to drive an unsynchronized transmission on various tractors, while working as a groundskeeper at some colleges.
But for the sake of turning the converstion to another direction, does anybody else ever make this mistake in an automatic: Start from a stop, let the engine run up in first gear, then lift off the gas and JAM the brake like it's a clutch?
06-14-2003, 04:59 AM
#21
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yeah, give me the stick
Let the AT people discuss what chip they need to get the shifting the way they want it, I carry the shift points in my head.
You would have liked the little 2-cyl Ford 1000 tractor, 5 unsynchronized speeds and a trailer full of workers, mowers. Double-clutching up and down through 3-4-5 all along the sidewalk on a University campus.
You would have liked the little 2-cyl Ford 1000 tractor, 5 unsynchronized speeds and a trailer full of workers, mowers. Double-clutching up and down through 3-4-5 all along the sidewalk on a University campus.
06-14-2003, 09:09 AM
#22
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I learned how to drive a stick in 10 minutes.
go out and rent a small toyota U-Haul truck with a 5-speed transmission, then go to a nearby vacant parking lot.
Then all you have to do is practice these steps:
1. first, practice pushing in the clutch without actually putting your car in gear. This will get you accustomed to using your left foot.
2. when you're comfortable with that, then try sliding the gear into first and then back out.
3. Once you've mastered that. Put the car in first and leave it in gear and then practive giving the car a little gas with your right foot while slipping the clutch out a little.
4. Once you understand how a manual gear "catches" you can practicing the See-Saw method.
Imagine being on a playground see-saw. When you go up, you're friend goes down, and vice versa. That's how the clutch and gas pedal work, up and down at equal increments.
And that's it. Just practice see-sawing the pedals and you'll have it mastered by the end of the day.
go out and rent a small toyota U-Haul truck with a 5-speed transmission, then go to a nearby vacant parking lot.
Then all you have to do is practice these steps:
1. first, practice pushing in the clutch without actually putting your car in gear. This will get you accustomed to using your left foot.
2. when you're comfortable with that, then try sliding the gear into first and then back out.
3. Once you've mastered that. Put the car in first and leave it in gear and then practive giving the car a little gas with your right foot while slipping the clutch out a little.
4. Once you understand how a manual gear "catches" you can practicing the See-Saw method.
Imagine being on a playground see-saw. When you go up, you're friend goes down, and vice versa. That's how the clutch and gas pedal work, up and down at equal increments.
And that's it. Just practice see-sawing the pedals and you'll have it mastered by the end of the day.
06-16-2003, 10:40 AM
#23
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Originally posted by The_Lizard
But for the sake of turning the converstion to another direction, does anybody else ever make this mistake in an automatic: Start from a stop, let the engine run up in first gear, then lift off the gas and JAM the brake like it's a clutch?
But for the sake of turning the converstion to another direction, does anybody else ever make this mistake in an automatic: Start from a stop, let the engine run up in first gear, then lift off the gas and JAM the brake like it's a clutch?
-CLD_FSN
06-16-2003, 06:24 PM
#24
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while my car was being fixed, I drove my mom's stratus, had the same problem after that she went out and rented me a car to drive(automatic), went e-braking that was fun but, it qwould be really nice if they rented standard cars not only automatics. I hate automatics.
07-15-2003, 09:33 AM
#26
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wrxgoose.. no dealer will warranty a clutch its a wearable item.. only way they warranty it is if the clutch breaks due to a mechanical fault.. if u got it replaced fopr free good for you but dont expect them to ever do that again.. and 1300 miles.. on a clutch?? jesus man u need to get a diff car to practice in..
07-16-2003, 08:07 AM
#28
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If you learn on any other car, the STi's gear shift will amaze you. It's like butter, it is so smooth. Each of its six gears fall into place with very little effort on your part. Even <reverse> is a snap because you just pull up on a ring on the gear shift and it goes into reverse with little to no effort.
Good luck and I hope you get your STi, mine's white with gold wheels and even my wife loves it.
Roger
Good luck and I hope you get your STi, mine's white with gold wheels and even my wife loves it.
Roger
07-18-2003, 05:11 PM
#29
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What i would do is go to a driving school and ask if anyone was a mechanic so they would tell you if you were developing anything that might in the end harm your transmission. I think maybe someone at a local garage could show you if you got a rental car.
07-24-2003, 10:58 AM
#30
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Car Info: dream car Subaru STi
yea i agree with everyone else, learn driving stick in a rental or some cheapo car cause you dont want little or big screw ups or any stalling in ur new STi. once u learn in another car, your STi will be waiting for you and u will be so happy! =)