Manual transmission (shifting advice wanted)

[gilkuma]

I'm going to take my driving test, here in Cali, and I have a couple of questions about shifting. I don't have the money to shell out for an automatic rent a car, nor do i want my family to pay for it, and as a result I will be taking my manual car.

does the test administrator care if my flywheel slips, because i "ride the clutch"?

Is down-shifting a technique which i must show i know how to implement? if so, how is it done?

to be frank, i speed up to like 40 mph and then coast, allow the car to continue with it's own momentum. then according to road and traffic conditions i just apply the brake or place it into the appropriate gear and speed up. i know this is something that i can not do since it means that i do not have total control of the vehicle.

am i to have the car in gear, reach my desired/allowed mph, and then just feed it a slow but constant supply of gas?

[Bullet Tooth]

I don't know what state you are in but in california, you have to have the car in gear the entire time. That means downshifting and up shifting.In gear when you are moving or stopped. At least just so you pass the test. Then you can do as you please, but I would recommend keeping it in gear for the most part.

Down shifting is the same as upshifting just reverse the steps. Put it in the appropriate gear according to your speed.

[Darkside3024]

Drive like you normally would. I don't think they can tell if your flywheel slips, unless it's really bad. They may be more strict with driving in Cali than in Alabama (anyone can get a license here) so you may want to read some other posts too.

[gilkuma]

so say i'm nearing a stop light with some cars in front and behind me. if i were to come to a complete stop from third gear would i need to down shift to second gear and then finally to first?

being in first while slowing down just doesn't make sense to me since i either have to have the clutch engaged or be giving it gas (yet i'm slowing down so why would i give it some gas?)

my real concern would be handling the situation described in the beginning of this reply and turning (as this would also require the down-shifting). help on this is greatly appreciated.

I got no problem with the driving and having it in gear (as it makes sense).

[Bullet Tooth]

when you are coming to a stop, just down shift all the way to second, and when you are about to stop, clutch in and put it in first. this actually can vary depending on the car's synchronizing. The first car I had let me put it 1st gear anywhere between, 0-25mph. The car I'm driving now lets me do it only when I am almost completely stopped.

as far as turning goes, I usually have it in second or third depending on the speed. I usually just slow down as I am approaching and clutch in and put it in second before the turn and accelerate as needed.

And don't do the coast thing, thats a horrible way to drive.

[BBQ]

FYI brake pads are cheaper then the transmission. So what I do when I have to stop is put in neutral and brake. But if it's a sudden stop or a down hill then I would down shift.

[subaru84]

Brake pads may be cheaper, but they wear out faster. You're supposed to use the gears to initiate the slowing of an MT vehicle.

Of course, if you're going too fast to downshift, brake first, but in general, you just take your foot off of the gas till you approach downshift speed, change to the next gear down, then start to apply the brakes.

[sainthuey]

you can use a manual in CA? I thought they dmv strictly allowed AT's for taking the test.

good luck

[gilkuma]

sainthuey i hope your not right, for my sake. i vaguely remember the manual just mentioning that a vehicle with two side mirrors, working seatbelts, tail lights, and proof of insurance were the only requirements.

been practicing down shifting for most of this afternoon and i've notices a couple of things. when down shifting to a complete stop, using my car, i can leave it in the current gear comming to a near stop. when i feel my engine will die on me, i simply engage the cluth again and place the car in first (clutch still in). is that appropriate or when comming to a complete stop downshifting down all the gears is expected (i.e. from 4->3->2->1)

with downshifting it generally involves down-shifting from the current gear down to second gear only?

Bullet Tooth thanks for all the help. you seem to know what your talking about, are you a mechanic, car freak, or was your first car an mt? nonetheless i sincerely thank you and hope never to crash onto your ride (don't worry i'm insured {though only liability {and only up to 30,000}}).

[sainthuey]

sainthuey i hope your not right, for my sake. i vaguely remember the manual just mentioning that a vehicle with two side mirrors, working seatbelts, tail lights, and proof of insurance were the only requirements.

No idea, maybe you can? Because when my mother bought her 05' civic she said she would have got it in manual but since i was going to take my test in a few months she got an AT instead:arazz:, prob should call the DMV and just ask.

Peace

edit: just checked the dmv site, doesn't say anything about the tranny, you should be straight.

[Einlanzer]

i fuckin' hated driving stick because of some gnarly uphill stops that made my car roll back every time :annoy:

i got over it with practice...im lazy so i just drive auto now.

i cant really give much advice in shifting other than make sure you know at which speed you need to shift up or down.

i found it embarrassing when the car suddenly started jumping when i messed it up before. (kinda like when rocky bought his muscle car and was stopping, and going continueously :sweat:)

[Darkside3024]

FYI brake pads are cheaper then the transmission. So what I do when I have to stop is put in neutral and brake. But if it's a sudden stop or a down hill then I would down shift.

Everyone I know does this.

Brake pads may be cheaper, but they wear out faster. You're supposed to use the gears to initiate the slowing of an MT vehicle.
Last time I checked "engine braking" was a no-no for daily driving. The only time I see people doing that is when they need to stop to avoid an accident or when race car drivers use it to slow the car down faster.

[Bullet Tooth]

I'm just a grease monkey. And I've been driving stick since I got my license.

As far as the engine braking, It's not bad for manual cars. You're not supposed to do it on automatic cars. good luck.

[DisGuileKillYa]

Hey Dont Down Shift!! Just Put It In Neutral. Its Beeter For Thte Car, Aoh And Btw Why Are You Asking I Learned In Like Twemty Minutes. Raod Aroung The The Block Twice. I Thought All You Motha Fuckas Wwas Smart On Here.

[Luciano Leone]

Man, the other day I test-drove this bitchen Mazda MX-5, it had shift controls on the wheel like a Ferrari. Thankfully it was an auto/manual so I just switched to auto (cause I don't know how to drive shift) but I tried it out for a few blocks and I didn't even kill it. Score.

I've really gotta learn stick shift.. theres too many dope ass cars I see that aren't AT.

[subaru84]

Last time I checked "engine braking" was a no-no for daily driving. The only time I see people doing that is when they need to stop to avoid an accident or when race car drivers use it to slow the car down faster.

All of my driving instructors taught me to downshift a gear first, whilst slowly applying the brakes. As you continue to decelerate, you apply more brake pressure whilst advancing back through the gears. As you approach the stop, hold the clutch to the floor whilst in gear, and only shift back to first when you've stopped.

I was also taught to never coast in neutral, never park in neutral, or put the car in neutral unless your car requires towing or needs to be in neutral for you to start the ignition.

[Striderhyru05]

the most important rule - dont think about it.

If your so strung up over your gears your going to hesitate and it really is not that hard at all. It sounds like you know what your doing by now, just drive however you want to drive. downshifting is something you can do if you want to, its definitely not required. I took my drivers test in an integra and kept it in gear while driving, put it on neutral when I had enough speed to cruise and just hit the brake when I wanted to slow down. I didnt downshift because the car used to jerk a lot and the dude woulda failed me for breaking his neck.

Ed

[fjf314]

been practicing down shifting for most of this afternoon and i've notices a couple of things. when down shifting to a complete stop, using my car, i can leave it in the current gear comming to a near stop. when i feel my engine will die on me, i simply engage the cluth again and place the car in first (clutch still in). is that appropriate or when comming to a complete stop downshifting down all the gears is expected (i.e. from 4->3->2->1)

I would think that should be fine. My car is the same way, where I need to be almost completely stopped for me to downshift into first. So when coming to a stop I downshift through the gears until I reach second, then just engage the clutch and move to first as I come to a complete stop. I don't think anyone giving the test will have a problem with what you're doing right now.

[BBQ]

Last time I checked "engine braking" was a no-no for daily driving. The only time I see people doing that is when they need to stop to avoid an accident or when race car drivers use it to slow the car down faster.

Well if you live where there are steep inclines like mountains, you should downshift a lot more often then usual as the brake pads will wear out more quickly. As for in the city that is usually flat, it's a pain in the butt and a wear on the transmission to down shift every time. But it can also be about preference. I own a WRX and I think I'll wear out my brake pads more then my gears since it's hella expensive to get it replaced with the labor.

[dirzzt360]

Man all this up shifting and down shifting crap, you arent racing your just driving downt he road. If your in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear and coming to a red light just put it in nuetral and apply the brake. Taking a turn around a corner, put it in second (or third depending on how sharp the turn is) gear when entering the turn then go up from there. This is how I have always driven. Ive been driving a stick for 14 years now and I havent changed the way I drive since I learned how to do it. I passed the test doing what I just explained. Its not good to ride the clutch or do unnecesary shifting.


p.s. mainly just keep your hands at 10 and two, watch for pedestrians, use your turn signals and just take your time. Good luck man.

[KrsJin]

TO STOP, THROW IT INTO REVERSE TO MAEK IT SOTP QUICKER!

You'll be fine placing it in neutral and braking to stop. If you want, neutral brkae until low RPMs, then toss it into 2nd or 1st depending on you car (Touching on what Bullet Tooth said about synchronization).

[Darkside3024]

Well if you live where there are steep inclines like mountains, you should downshift a lot more often then usual as the brake pads will wear out more quickly. As for in the city that is usually flat, it's a pain in the butt and a wear on the transmission to down shift every time. But it can also be about preference. I own a WRX and I think I'll wear out my brake pads more then my gears since it's hella expensive to get it replaced with the labor.
Yeah. I've seen some of the repair costs for a WRX. I hear EVOs are even higher to get fixed.

[NeREMIXED]

wait wait wait...whats all this down-shifting hoopla?

when im coming to a stop i just pop it in neutral, or just keep the clutch in. is that bad?

[fjf314]

wait wait wait...whats all this down-shifting hoopla?

when im coming to a stop i just pop it in neutral, or just keep the clutch in. is that bad?

I don't really know. When I learned to drive a MT, I was taught to downshift. I don't really know much about cars, so I just assumed there was some positive reason for doing that instead of just engaging the clutch and hitting the break. Obviously it's less wear on your brakes if you downshift, but I don't really know if there are any other benefits. If any of the car gurus here could shed some light on why I do what I was taught, I would appreciate it. :sweat:

[Bullet Tooth]

don't think some of you realize that he is learning to down shift so he can pass his driving test. As far as I know its illegal in california to coast in a car or be in neutral at a stop. The car always has to be in some kind of gear.

If you look on the dmv hand, the taking the test portion says, "do you keep the car in gear while slowing down?"

So I think its safe to assume that he might have to do this in his test.

[dirzzt360]

In that case, just put the fucker into second and keep your foot on the clutch when you stop. Thats what I would do. Your car probably wont allow you to put it into first gear after/before a certain speed.