Some questions about driving a 5-speed

[97CamaroSPL]

OK guys I got a new 99 firebird 5-speed. I'm slowly learning how to drive it correctly. I have some questions about it:
What should I rev to when shifting into 1st gear?
Should I only put it in 1st when I'm completely stopped?
What is the lowest rpm (in any gear) I should shift at without causing problems?
I appreciate any feedback. I love my new car but It is my first 5-speed.
Quick story: 3 days after I bought my new car I stalled it out at a stoplight and got rear-ended. $416 to fix it. :(

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:

What should I rev to when shifting into 1st gear?

What do you mean by shifting into 1st? Do you mean when you're starting off from a start? For normal driving, you shouldn't need to go over 1500 to get moving.

It may help to start off by not using the gas at all, so that you get a feel of the cluch. Then add in the gas pedal to the equation for faster starts.

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:

Should I only put it in 1st when I'm completely stopped?

You sometimes hear of people saying not to downshift into 1st, but it's no really no big deal. If you're slowing from 30 mph to a crawl of 10 mph or something, there's no problem with downshifting back into 1st. The owner's manual even says it's ok if you're going under 20 mph.

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:

What is the lowest rpm (in any gear) I should shift at without causing problems?

That depends on the load you're giving the engine. You can shift into a higher gear at a lower RPM when you're not pressing the gas much. At full throttle, you could possibly do damage by creating high pressures in the cylinder for too long. In general, somewhere around 1800 is about right.

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:

Quick story: 3 days after I bought my new car I stalled it out at a stoplight and got rear-ended. $416 to fix it. :(

Sorry to hear that. That sure does suck. :(

[HokieBird]

1. Like Matt said, learn to move the car with only the clutch. As long as your clutch is strong you shouldn't need to use the gas to get moving. Using the gas is just a little easier and quicker.

2. I do put the car back in 1st, but only when moving really slow and when I do I give it a quick blip of the throttle to match rpms. Most times I try to put it in 2nd if I'm still moving and it isn't up hill or something.

3.For city driving I usually shift around 2500 and cruise at a little under 2000. If its open roads and I don't feel like running through the gears I will bring the car up to around 3000 and skip shift.

That sucks about your accident. You'll get better with practice and figure out your own routines for shifting. Don't worry about people getting pissed or laughing if you stall it happens to everyone. I stalled at a light about 2 weeks ago and I have been driving manual cars for years.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:

Quick story: 3 days after I bought my new car I stalled it out at a stoplight and got rear-ended. $416 to fix it. :(

the other guy didn't pay for it? I would think it would be his fault. Most rear-enders are.

Driving a stick is tough to get used to. A 3500lb car with a V6 is not the easiest learner. Be patient and post questions if you have them.

[cam98aro]

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:
OK guys I got a new 99 firebird 5-speed. I'm slowly learning how to drive it correctly. I have some questions about it:
What should I rev to when shifting into 1st gear?
Should I only put it in 1st when I'm completely stopped?
What is the lowest rpm (in any gear) I should shift at without causing problems?
I appreciate any feedback. I love my new car but It is my first 5-speed.
Quick story: 3 days after I bought my new car I stalled it out at a stoplight and got rear-ended. $416 to fix it. :(

you dont rev the car up when shifting into 1st. You let the clutch out slowly, and when the prms drop give it gas, and "rev match" (give it more gas as you let the clutch out) UNLESS you are on a hill... then you will want to rev it up. Reving it up before letting the clutch out will make it ALO smoother, but will put ALOT of un-necessary wear on the clutch.

The lowest RPM depends on what you like. I would suggest experimenting. If you shift too early, your car will start to shake, but its more like a very bad vibration... you WILL notice it. Shifting at lower RPM's saves gas, shifting at higher RPM's makes you accelerate faster.

I really hope you didnt pay for the accident, because if someone rearends you for ANY reason, it is automatically their fault. Also, it is illegal to be driving without at least liability insurance, so you should have been covered.

[97CamaroSPL]

How can I shift into first using only the clutch??
So shifting at 2500 rpm wont hurt the clutch/tranny?
Skip shifting like from 2-4 or 3-5 wont cause damage??
The accident will be paid for by the lady that hit me. I just can't find a day to have it fixed because I need my car.
Thanks for the help guys.

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:
How can I shift into first using only the clutch??

Still having the same problem as before....what exactly are you trying to do? Are you talking about placing the shifter into 1st gear, or when you're already in gear and are begining to move the car?

To start moving (not shifting), you don't need to use the gas pedal. Just slowly let off the clutch and you'll pick up speed so that you can release it more. Eventually you'll be idling with the clutch out going like 5 mph.


Fun fact: trying to idle my car in gear is like riding a bucking bronco. The cam lopes real bad that slow and throws you all over the place. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:
So shifting at 2500 rpm wont hurt the clutch/tranny?

Between there and 3000 is the normal shift range. You could shift lower with no problem. The shift point isn't going to do anything to the tranny.

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:

Skip shifting like from 2-4 or 3-5 wont cause damage??

Won't make any difference. Just make sure you're not at 2500 when you try to skip a couple gears...then you'll end up in 5th at like 800 rpm. Normally you would do it when you're accelerating hard, and shift at maybe 4000. You could skip the next gear if you don't need it and go straight into cruise in the next one up.

Some LS1s require that you do that. Think they make you go 1-4 sometimes.

[cam98aro]

Originally posted by 97CamaroSPL:
How can I shift into first using only the clutch??
So shifting at 2500 rpm wont hurt the clutch/tranny?
Skip shifting like from 2-4 or 3-5 wont cause damage??
The accident will be paid for by the lady that hit me. I just can't find a day to have it fixed because I need my car.
Thanks for the help guys.

I dont understand your question... you move the shifter into 1st, and let the clutch out, while at the sale time giving it a little gas.

Shifting at 2500 RPM is fine... just dont try to start out reving it up to 2500, UNLESS your stoped on a hill.

Skipping shifting wolnt cause damage if your at the right rpms. If you are in 2nd, at 1200 RPM, and try to move it to 4th, your car is gonna vibrate REALLY bad. I usually always skip 3rd gear, just go from 2nd to 4th

[mwh27]

I want a 6th gear.... stoopid M5.....

As far as ONLY using the clutch.

Put it into first, DON'T touch the gas, and SLOWWWWWWLLLLYYYYYY let the clutch out. That will give you a feel for where the clutch really grabs.

[shenanigans]

If I read right you are having problems downshifting into first?


when you downshift you sometimes get locked out bechaust he synchros are not matched up, just mash the gas with the clutch in and put very light pressure, on the shifter into the gear you want, and when the sychros line up it will slide right in.


If you are rolling and you want to downshift you need to throw a quick rev to like 4200 to get it to slide into 1st.