Do this every time I drive wife's corolla

 

That's only twice (in my GP at least), lets make it interesting: 0-120mph

At 135mph, you can still be in 5th gear

 

 

Curiosity......
My dad taught me 22 years ago that you know when to shift when it sounds like the engine is about ready to blow up. He is an old school hot rodder who schooled me at a young age to drift.
But in all seriousness, I tend to shift around 2.7k and 3k. Is this average?

 

if traffic is moving, ill **** before 3.5k depending on flow of traffic. if ive got open road and a decent location ill push to 5k and when a ***** cuts me off and ive got room to navigate around them I show him what the mini can do

 

Been there done that one! That hill is not a joke, I think it took a little of the life of the clutch, but if you can climb that monster you can shift on anything!!

 

I love driving a manual and once you get to the point where you master all of the things already mentioned you will enjoy it as well. It will also help you gain some MPG and save your brakes as well. The one thing that does suck though and I believe everyone can agree to is that, is that stop and go traffic just plain sucks with a manual due to the constant in and out of first.

 

Hrm, been driving manual transmission cars since 1995 with a recent few years off to an auto F150. I can't heel toe to save my life, but I've never really tried either. I can rev match when slowing down but I find it's better on my mpg's if I coast, and the Mini can coast a looooooooong way.

My criteria for the badge? In a nutshell it's been said before, but when driving a manual becomes "Automatic" for you. If you drove through rush hour traffic and when you arrive at your destination you don't ever remember thinking about or actually shifting gears. And again, if you get into an auto and your habits kick in and you try to put a hole through the floor where a clutch should be.

Once it becomes a part of you, you've earned that badge. But who really cares? Put the badge on anyway and enjoy driving the car.

 

When you realize you hate driving automatics.

 

What is your definition of "riding the clutch?" I know it's not a good thing!

 

"Riding the clutch" happens any time the left foot is in CONTACT with the clutch pedal when there is no shifting to be done. Also a term given to the poor practice of modulating the clutch, partially depressing the pedal, to facilitate slow and incremental movement of the car; something I do backing out of the garage onto a very short driveway to avoid launching ourselves unexpectedly into traffic.

 

This thread was the first thing I thought of the other day when I tried shifting in my wife's CRV the other day. Low and behold, got me a handful of empty air.

 

Yea, and had it been a Chevy Vega your left foot would have gone thru the floor board.

 

Another question: When I come to a light or a stop sign, I put the car in neutral and coast to a stop using my brake. I've been told I should downshift instead (less wear on the car, i.e. brakes). Any opinions?

 

You are "supposed" to slow down in lower gears. However, I think as an active driver you should be able to assess the situation yourself and drive accordingly.

 

Thanks for the info! I do the same with my driveway, especially as we have a huge built-up drainage mount to get over a the end of it. Is there any other way?!

 

I was once told that as well. Then someone pointed out to me, which is easier and cheaper to change...brakes or clutch? Which one would you rather extend the life of?

Downshifting is one of the skills to acquire, when and where to use it is something you figure out.