Okay, so I've noticed that when I'm in a parking lot and I'm totally in 1st or 2nd gear (i.e.- fully off the clutch) and not on the accelerator (i.e. - rolling), the car is a bit jerky. I've compensated for this problem by pretty much feathering the clutch most of the time when I'm in a parking lot. I should note that it doen't happen when I'm in other gears and it doesn't happen when I'm giving it some gas. Another thing I should note is that I learned to drive manual on my car so... Anybody have any ideas? I was reading through the VGS thread and somebody noted that it got rid of low speed throttle bouncing, is this what I'm experiencing?

 

you should feel how terrible my old Protege5 was...talk about bouncy motor and tranny mounts! :impatient :impatient :impatient

 

Are you saying you have the same problem on your MCS? Could what I be experiencing be the yo-yo that everybody talks about?

 

no.

 

I'm no automotive expert, but what you described is not abnormal. Most, if not all manual shift cars I've own cannot run smoothly in first gear with the engine at idle rpm.

I think it has to do with gear ratio, I've test driven an 06 MCS and I remember it required fairly high rpm to get going from full stop, so I'm not surprised it feels jerky at idle rpm.

 

To me it sounds like rolling around the parking lot you are flirting with stalling at low revs, if thats the case yes it is normal to feel some studder before the engine shuts-off if you are clear of the 2500 RPM mark then you may have an issue, if you learned to dive stick on your MCS and did a lot of grinding in the process you may have worn down some teeth, have you always noticed this or is it a recent development? Also have you experianced rough idle? This could simply be an extention of that common issue. Have you had your cooling fan come on? What is your oil situation (enough,clean, due for service soon)?

As far as the VGS goes I say go for it, $5 and you recieve such better throttle response that I think it is worth it and I am thrilled with the VGS on a realatively unmodded car it feels like a huge hp gain to the butt dyno just because you can acess the power sooner.

 

It's normal for manual vehicles. Lower gears are more "sensitive" to throttle input and decel due to the torque multiplication effect.

 

Seems like a consensus that it's normal for a manual car. It's not something that has developed, it's just always been there. It's also not on the verge of stalling. Case solved I suppose.

 

If you're between stalling and 1500 rpm and just let the car roll, it'll be slightly "jerky". I came from driving an auto for 6 years and the MINI is my first manual, I had the same "problem" as you the first couple of months.

To minimize the "jerk" without slipping the clutch, keep the car going at very slight part throttle instead of letting it roll at idle, and be REAL smooth when you lift off the throttle. With some determination to perfect this, you'll eventually be able to drive at low speed without much "jerk".