Teach Me How To Drive A Stick
05-25-2005 | 10:58 PM
#51
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Joined: Jul 2004
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san francisco
does anyone here live/drive their 8 in san francisco? i live in the marina and mostly drive out to marin but whenever id drive it on the hills of sf i can't help but get clutch burn. i am wonderin g if this is due to the low torque (hence the need for high revs on hill starts).
05-26-2005 | 11:51 AM
#52
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Farmington Hills, MI
For those people with experience driving many different manual cars: does the RX-8 clutch give more than average feedback when shifting? The only other two manual cars I've driven is a Mazda6 and my friend's NSX, both had clutches that didn't give as much feedback. I guess its a good thing...isn't it?
05-26-2005 | 12:06 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by slllygrl10
When y'all speak of match rev, lets say I was on 3rd press on clutch then gas to match rev then go to second or while pressing on the clutch needs to be in neutral?
I always wondered...what's the point of double clutching? Why is it better then shifting down and bleeping the gas while still pressing the clutch...isn't it faster that way?
05-26-2005 | 12:16 PM
#55
you are correct, rev match while downshifting is faster (and easier) than double clutching. this is all thanks to the triple cone synchronizers on the 8's transmission.
today, double clutching is only required for large trucks that have no synchros or old cars with worn synchros that makes shifting difficult. on all other modern cars with functioning synchros, double clutching is not necessary. When done correctly, double clutching still makes shifts smoother than just regular rev match shifting, but the only legitimate reason people use it on modern cars is to 'save their synchros'. I'd say, 'just let the synchros do what it's suppose to do' :D
today, double clutching is only required for large trucks that have no synchros or old cars with worn synchros that makes shifting difficult. on all other modern cars with functioning synchros, double clutching is not necessary. When done correctly, double clutching still makes shifts smoother than just regular rev match shifting, but the only legitimate reason people use it on modern cars is to 'save their synchros'. I'd say, 'just let the synchros do what it's suppose to do' :D
05-26-2005 | 02:34 PM
#56
Int'l Man of Mystery
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,651
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From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
A good exercise, BTW, is to practice getting the car rolling on a flat surface in first gear with the clutch only. Just practice letting it out smoothly and gradually so that the car gets moving without any shudder without using the gas pedal.
When you get good at that, try starting the car in second gear (using the gas pedal) from a stop without getting the tach over or under 2500 RPM.
If you get good at this, try it in 3rd and holding the tach at exactly 3000 RPM.
When you get good at that, try starting the car in second gear (using the gas pedal) from a stop without getting the tach over or under 2500 RPM.
If you get good at this, try it in 3rd and holding the tach at exactly 3000 RPM.
Oooh... scary. That's what my grandfather did when he was teaching me to drive stick...
It IS very good practice. Listen to the man... :D
05-26-2005 | 02:53 PM
#58
Humpin legs and takin nam
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,433
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From: Clearwater, Fl
I double clutch because that's the way I learned, and if i try just rev matching the car bucks.
Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
you are correct, rev match while downshifting is faster (and easier) than double clutching. this is all thanks to the triple cone synchronizers on the 8's transmission.
today, double clutching is only required for large trucks that have no synchros or old cars with worn synchros that makes shifting difficult. on all other modern cars with functioning synchros, double clutching is not necessary. When done correctly, double clutching still makes shifts smoother than just regular rev match shifting, but the only legitimate reason people use it on modern cars is to 'save their synchros'. I'd say, 'just let the synchros do what it's suppose to do' :D
today, double clutching is only required for large trucks that have no synchros or old cars with worn synchros that makes shifting difficult. on all other modern cars with functioning synchros, double clutching is not necessary. When done correctly, double clutching still makes shifts smoother than just regular rev match shifting, but the only legitimate reason people use it on modern cars is to 'save their synchros'. I'd say, 'just let the synchros do what it's suppose to do' :D
05-26-2005 | 08:17 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by slllygrl10
When y'all speak of match rev, lets say I was on 3rd press on clutch then gas to match rev then go to second or while pressing on the clutch needs to be in neutral?
1. Clutch in
2. Rev to proper RPM while shifting to second
3. Let out clutch.
05-26-2005 | 08:20 PM
#61
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Originally Posted by JM1FE
[*]Learn this: http://www.shortshifter.com/techniques2.htm
Last edited by psteng19; 05-26-2005 at 08:26 PM.
05-26-2005 | 08:26 PM
#62
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Originally Posted by guy321
What you should do in this situation is go to nuetral, then brake AND rev the gas at the same time , then clutch and shift, then release the clutch.. it should all be able to be done before you enter the turn, or just as you start the turn.
05-31-2005 | 10:47 AM
#68
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From: Chicago, IL
I've been driving stick for about two months now with definite improvement since I started. Shifting from 1->2 and even 2->3 is still a bit jerky though. Any tips on making those transitions as smooth as possible? So I need to slip the clutch a bit more? Also, in general, will good stick driver's shifts be as smooth as in an automatic car?
05-31-2005 | 11:08 AM
#69
1-2 is probably the 'hardest' shift to make smooth in this car, simply because the 1-2 gear ratio is wider than other gears, so you have to 'wait' a little bit longer than other gears to complete a smooth shift. Letting out the clutch a bit slower ('feathering' the clutch) helps with smoothness overall. And a really experienced driver will actually shift SMOOTHER than an automatic, both upshift and downshift 
05-31-2005 | 12:14 PM
#71
Refiner's fire
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 77
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From: SF Bay Area - Eastbay
I've driven manual transmission for years. I never heel and toe. I may be in the minority, but IMO, it isn't needed. My wife snapped my neck the other day. "Look another RX8". Just as I turned to look, she punched the gas and turned right. She had this big grin.
She can drive smooth, but after she got the RX8, there are times when she likes to just jump on the gas and let the clutch fly.
BTW, one of her criteria for a new car was that it HAD to be a manual shifter.
She can drive smooth, but after she got the RX8, there are times when she likes to just jump on the gas and let the clutch fly.
BTW, one of her criteria for a new car was that it HAD to be a manual shifter.
05-31-2005 | 01:40 PM
#72
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
1-2 is probably the 'hardest' shift to make smooth in this car, simply because the 1-2 gear ratio is wider than other gears, so you have to 'wait' a little bit longer than other gears to complete a smooth shift. Letting out the clutch a bit slower ('feathering' the clutch) helps with smoothness overall. And a really experienced driver will actually shift SMOOTHER than an automatic, both upshift and downshift
05-31-2005 | 01:53 PM
#73
compared to other gears, you have to wait a bit longer for the rpm to drop from where 1st gear was to 2nd gear would be, before releasing the clutch pedal. not a whole lot, but it's definitely longer than other gears.
every time you take off from a stop you wear out a little bit of clutch, should you just stop driving because it's wearing on the clutch?? :p :o
every time you take off from a stop you wear out a little bit of clutch, should you just stop driving because it's wearing on the clutch?? :p :o
05-31-2005 | 01:59 PM
#75
Humpin legs and takin nam
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,433
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From: Clearwater, Fl
You need it if you're trying to do this.. Smoothly.
"Okwas going 50 then I suddenly had to made a right turn I was on 4th then put it to neutral and pushed on brakes a bit then put it to 2nd as I was turning. Is this right?"
Most people never need to heel toe, doesn't mean it shouldn't be something you don't know how to do, it will also allow you to react quicker in situations where you need to slow abruptly but remain in gear to accelerate.
"Okwas going 50 then I suddenly had to made a right turn I was on 4th then put it to neutral and pushed on brakes a bit then put it to 2nd as I was turning. Is this right?"
Most people never need to heel toe, doesn't mean it shouldn't be something you don't know how to do, it will also allow you to react quicker in situations where you need to slow abruptly but remain in gear to accelerate.
Originally Posted by Blaaz
I've driven manual transmission for years. I never heel and toe. I may be in the minority, but IMO, it isn't needed. My wife snapped my neck the other day. "Look another RX8". Just as I turned to look, she punched the gas and turned right. She had this big grin.
She can drive smooth, but after she got the RX8, there are times when she likes to just jump on the gas and let the clutch fly.
BTW, one of her criteria for a new car was that it HAD to be a manual shifter.
She can drive smooth, but after she got the RX8, there are times when she likes to just jump on the gas and let the clutch fly.
BTW, one of her criteria for a new car was that it HAD to be a manual shifter.
Last edited by guy321; 05-31-2005 at 02:14 PM.