Comments on: How to drive a manual transmission

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:20:14 +0000

[update editted by pat to avoid email spam crawlers] Lindsay.blaz (nearby) sbcglobal . net

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:18:01 +0000

I like the e-brake technique, but I drive a ’73 Camaro and the e-brake is foot operated. Now what? (E-mail responses, please. I won’t be back here.)

By: patrick

patrick — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:27:11 +0000

@John — I agree. My post is really directed at overcoming the fear factor around hills and manual transmissions.

If the driver is petrified about hills, chances are very good that they are not driving on hills.

If an inexperienced driver can get from the clutch to the gas quick enough, they will avoid a stall but their passengers will get a jerk start and a little bit of loss of control. It is scary for the driver and the passengers.

The technique I have talked about allows a driver to get comfortable with the hills and deal with them better.

A more experienced driver can manage a smooth start because they know exactly how much to press down on the gas.

By: John

John — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:56:30 +0000

I’m a new driver so correct me if I’m wrong but I think shifting and the way you act on a hill is more like a personal preference of each driver. It’s your car, your clutch and your transmission isn’t it? Do whatever you are comfortable with as long as it’s not dangerous.

By: irrinelay

irrinelay — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:20:46 +0000

god resource Continue also

By: patrick

patrick — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:47:34 +0000

@Mark — I agree. Engaging/disengaging the clutch for short periods of time shouldn’t do anything harmful.

I never use the hand brake because I find that foot brake works fine. I use the clutching action when I am in a stop-and-go situation on a hill when the hand brake would be ridiculously complex as you point out

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:00:33 +0000

Patrick, what i do is when im stopped at a light is wait to the light turns green, lift my clutch foot to where the clutch will hold me on the hill, and then gas it when i can go.. the MOSt i have my clutch engagned is 5-10 secs mostly 5 secs on normal lights. I do not see how this could hurt the clutch because mostly you are using idle engine and u are also holding the car on the hill with foot brake most of the time. I don’t see how this is any different than the hand brake, becuase with hand brake you gas it while engagin the clutch longer. HOW is that ANY different.

By: stick shift wisdom « Lar’s blog

stick shift wisdom « Lar’s blog — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:57:48 +0000

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By: patrick

patrick — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:55:39 +0000

To everyone … thanks for the spirited conversation…

I have never used to parking brake at all. I have never found it particularly useful. Clutch+Gas Pedal = 2 things to operate (1 per foot).

Brake+Parking Brake+Clutch+Gas Pedal = way too many things to coordinate (especially as a beginner driver)

Now If I am stopped at a red light yes I do use the brake and do not feather the clutch. But when navigating the hills of San Francisco. you are paused so briefly that using the parking brake is foolish.

Plus, I can handle getting from the brake to the gas pretty easily, so the parking brake (when it works is of little value)

By: S Dub

S Dub — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:03:39 +0000

Marshall is an idiot – first, downshifting through all your gears will burn clutch at a much faster rate, since each time you engage or disengage the clutch you burn it slightly. Second, when the light changes and you’re coasting, is it really that hard to put the car in 2nd and continue? No. There’s no difference. Furthermore, if people have problems with you slowing down to a red light, that’s their problem – we’re not NYC cab drivers. If they want to accelerate to the red light, they can do it on their own time. Second, when you’re downshifting to stop, you’re using much more gas matching revs and driving at higher revs.

As far as the starting on a hill, the parking BRAKE method is for amateurs – but a lot better than the “gas and break method” the author seems to be advocating… But anyways, the second method is sound. But to respond, first, holding your clutch pedal in does not “throw out a bearing” – there’s no bearing it’s a hydraulic system. Second, sitting in gear, with the clutch fully depressed with one foot and the brake with the other is the way to start on a hill. While holding the brake, start to release the clutch and when you feel it engaging release the foot brake and add gas as necessary – you generally won’t roll back, if you do it properly you won’t burn excessive clutch, and you won’t need to rely on an emergency brake which will burn your clutch JUST as much as your regular brakes will, it won’t work if your parking brake is not functioning, and you look like an amateur – keep your hands on the steering wheel where they belong.