Slow off the line, teach me to shift right!

[Wraith2097]

I've been driving a stick for around a year now. I never had anyone there to teach me, so I made a lot of bad habits along the way. I'm trying to kick one of them, which is starting very slow from a stop.

I just can't get it right and smooth. I let out the clutch while pressing just a little on the gas and it either almost stalls or lurches forward. I press more on the gas while letting out on the clutch and I get the feeling I'm just burning the clutch. The car smoothly goes during this method but not fast enough to be normal and it just doesn't feel right. I've tried to even them off as best as I can and it turns out very messy. I was able to do it fine for the most part on a tiny rice box but I'm afraid I'll never get used to the extra weight and bigger engine. Do you guys have any tips at all to help me? I really want to get it right once and for all.

I also have problems with the whole lurching forward during first to second shift. After the car is going I shift by pressing in the clutch, changing gears, letting out the clutch fairly quickly and fully (any damage by this?), and then touching the gas after my foot is all the way off the clutch. I find that its a little smoother this way if not a little more time consuming. I've tried pressing the gas in a little just before letting out the clutch while moving but the car seems to jump some..

I purchased the B&M Ripper to help solve this. While its immensly useful and makes the car more fun to drive, the problem is still there some. Please guys, helpful tips would be very appreciated. Its embarassing when your trying to be all cool with a great looking car and hot girlfriend in the pass seat and all of a sudden the car bucks because you keep messing up.. :(

[98 3.8]

When you shift into second, as you let off the clutch, give it a little gas so the engine rpms match with the drivetrain rpms. That will get rid of your lurching.

[98Camaro3.8]

http://www.standardshift.com/faq.html

[Wraith2097]

Very useful information. How far do you push in the gas though? Hard finding that sweet spot

[95 camaro]

No one taught me how to drive stick on my camaro. I learned my self using the standard shift website. After a month I eventually learned the right way and you ge used to your car. Always let the clutch to the friction point before giving gas. You will eventually be able to let the clutch to the friction point and then give it gas to get going really fast. You should not have to go over 1500 rpm to get the car moving quick enough. Shift into second in between 2500 and 3000 rpm. The closer to 3000 the smoother it is for me. When I first started i constantly jerked second gear. In order to fix this i trained myself to not hit the gas at all while letting the clutch out slower in this particular gear. Any other gear u can let the clutch out fast. Slow it down for second. After you get used to that you will eventually learn how to add gas and smoothen it up a bit. Practice makes perfect. Try different things. DOnt be afraid. DO what works best for your car.

[Wraith2097]

Thanks for all the info, i'm gonna print this out and bring it with me later to test it out. I've noticed its a bit better when shifting closer to 3000. I used to shift at 2500 in the hopes of some fuel economy, is there really that much difference in economy for the few seconds between 2500 and 3000? Also in regards to first to second shift. So its better to slowly let the clutch out and press the gas after its all the way out? What about other gears, is it okay to quickly let the clutch out all the way before hitting the gas?

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by Wraith2097:

I just can't get it right and smooth. I let out the clutch while pressing just a little on the gas and it either almost stalls or lurches forward. I press more on the gas while letting out on the clutch and I get the feeling I'm just burning the clutch.

As already mentioned. Bring the clutch out to the catch point. That's the instant where the motor starts to bog down. Then let out the clutch and give it gas. If it sounds like it is going to stall - more gas. If it starts to lurch - more gas. If you do not smell clutch, it's fine. If you smell clutch, let it out faster.

Originally posted by Wraith2097:
I was able to do it fine for the most part on a tiny rice box but I'm afraid I'll never get used to the extra weight and bigger engine.

If you mastered a different car, then I am sure you will get used to this. Driving a stick smoothly takes years of practice. Every car feels different.

Originally posted by Wraith2097:

I also have problems with the whole lurching forward during first to second shift. After the car is going I shift by pressing in the clutch, changing gears, letting out the clutch fairly quickly and fully (any damage by this?), and then touching the gas after my foot is all the way off the clutch. I find that its a little smoother this way if not a little more time consuming. I've tried pressing the gas in a little just before letting out the clutch while moving but the car seems to jump some..

As already stated, more gas. You need to get the RPMs of the car up higher so the car will not bog when put into a higher gear.

Originally posted by Wraith2097:

I purchased the B&M Ripper to help solve this.

Nice choice. :D

Originally posted by Wraith2097:
Its embarassing when your trying to be all cool with a great looking car and hot girlfriend in the pass seat and all of a sudden the car bucks because you keep messing up.. :(

Been there done that, I can sell you the t-shirt. It's a practice thing. I've been driving a stick for 15 years, and I taught a few friends, my wife and my sister. If you have more questions, e-mail me.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by Wraith2097:
Thanks for all the info, i'm gonna print this out and bring it with me later to test it out. I've noticed its a bit better when shifting closer to 3000. I used to shift at 2500 in the hopes of some fuel economy, is there really that much difference in economy for the few seconds between 2500 and 3000? Also in regards to first to second shift. So its better to slowly let the clutch out and press the gas after its all the way out? What about other gears, is it okay to quickly let the clutch out all the way before hitting the gas?

Shift around 3000 - 3500. Trying at lower rpms makes it a little harder.

From first to second, let out the clutch and press the gas equally. Don't worry about the speed at which you do it, as long as they are matched. Do not let the clutch out all the way before giving it gas because this will bog the car down.

The speed at which you shift has more to do with the effects than it does keeping the car running. Shifter very quickly at high RPMS leads to a less smooth ride and gobs of power. Shifting more slowly results in a smooth ride, but of course, you are changing gears more slowly.

Letting out the clutch without giving gas is similar to engine braking. Engine breaking is done by shifting into a lower gear or the same gear without giving the car any gas. The engine slows the car down.

[99camaro-3.8]

rev 1st up to 3-3500 then shift. it makes it an easier shift in the lower gears at least until u can master how to do it. another trick to keep it smooth is to slowly let off the gas right before u press in the clutch. this keep ur passengers head from bobbing around constantly cuz the power isnt suddenly cut off when pressing in the clutch since u were already kinda slowing down

[Wraith2097]

I went to an empty parking lot nearby and practiced for a good two hours. Its getting better, the trade off always seems to be a smooth but slower launch. Its sad considering I had to drive my bird 1500 miles to move here a month ago. I'll keep practicing though, thanks for all the tips.