Suggestion, get in the car with somebody who has more experince and watch how they do it. Then practice....practice....practice.

 

I learned how to drive in a 1970 MGBGT(Elizabeth)four speed. I owned it from 16 years old to 21. I just got my MINI last week and I too am having problems shifting the MINI. Mind you I have driven a 1967 MINI, an 1963 MGB (J.r.),1962 MGA(Author), 1968 MGC (Margrete), cant fit in the MG Miget(6'1") MY problem is that at a stop I reeve the engine and the RPMs seem to drop and I feel that its going to stall. Kinda like it has lag. dont know if this is normal, doesnt feel like it but I havent ever driven a "new" manual before and am having a hard time. I cant seem to stop double cluching on the down shift and sometimes on the up shift, Im trying to unlearn that habbit.

 

chilicooper, just stay steady on the gas as you let out the clutch. watch the tachometer. as you start to let out the clutch (smoothness is key) you'll see the revs start to drop. as they drop, give it more gas. i would seriously look into finding some local MINI drivers to show you how it works, if your going to have someone teach, get someone who really knows the car

 

Chilli...looks like you've got more friends now than flamers :smile: Lot's of good advice here. I don't have more to add to this topic other than "practice makes perfect" Find a vacant lot and spend as long as you need until you feel comfortable you're making progress. Don't want to be squealing tires in front of any "dushbag cops" now do we? Sorry...that was a low blow...just kiddn with ya Good luck...I'm sure you'll be heal/toen pretty soon

 

Thanks.

 

Keep practicing...you got three month before we head down your way towards the Dragon If you can join our caravan, I'll give you some heal/toe lessons while we're down there

 

Fabulous advice agranger. This is how I taught myself and how I've taught others since.

 

hey man-this is your fellow teenager-Just a little message. I know that you are going to want to hot dog the car, (or in just a regular shift), if you feel that your clutch timing is off, and that you are going to grind-DONT SHIFT-I cringe every time the gears grind. Also, when you are on the move, dont try any of that power shifting non-sense. Of gas, clutch, shift, clutch, go. One more thing, when you are going into 6th-pull STRAIGHT back. The *** is tightly spring loaded, and one time I went into fourth at the wrong time.

 

All I can say is at least your service will cover a new clutch so learn all you want!

 

I don't advise "speed shifting" There's very little to be gained except a whole lot of wear and tear. Yes, it makes your Mini look like it's got Macho power and the chirpn turns "little girls" on, but if you care about your Mini in the least...don't do it! Not to mention what happens if you miss your shift...not worth it IMO

 

Like comedy,timing is everything.
After driving 40 years with clutches,yeah I drove tractors and beaters in fields for a few years before I was allowed on real roads,I don't THINK about shifting,It just happens.Take your time,listen to the car,I only glance at the rev counter,when getting up close to bounce,and unless your on the track,double clutching is not that important.When trannys had no syncro meshing you had to double clutch going up or down.
The worst thing you can do is ride the clutch.Get the clutch from the floor to full foot off,fully engadged,as quick and smooth as you can.
At idle,no gas pedal,you should be able to get the car to roll,with a smooth fast engaging of the clutch.Your not going to drive this way normally,but go practice for the FEEL of the clutch.
Untill you get this down,just make sure everyone is buckled down,not drinking coffee,and paying attention

 

I just got back from driving my dad to the bank and I solved my problems!!
:smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile:: smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::s mile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::sm ile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smi le::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile:
I was giving it too much gas and sitting to close. I shifted better than ever!
My dad told me one thing if the smart girl sees that you respect your car she'll probably think you'll respect her in a realtinoship. So no more burnies for me. I got on the highway and actually found you can get up to speed alot smoother when u shift right. Aw who woulda thought?? The only thing I need to do is practice, so I don't accidentily drop the clutch and create a bad impression amongst the ladies.

 

Ok,next question

 

WHERE???? where i live no dealership will even consider a clutch as a 'warranty' issue... i would drive all over the globe for a dealership who will replace my clutch for free!

good to hear you shift well... ive driven my S for a year and a half and im still a bit jerky at times... i just grew to accept it i guess...

there's nothing more satisfying when you just pull off that perfect upshift and perfect heel and toe.. the feeling just.. cannot be described

have fun motoring.. tat's the bottom line

 

Basically each shift up is a rev match during clutch
engagement. MCS gets a little harder when going a tad faster than
normal acceleration, but you'll get the hang of it. Just let out the
clutch slowly and gently and give the flywheel just enough gas to
keep the momentum going. 1-2 shift is the hardest because the
gear ratio is farthest apart.

My wife does eyeliner while I drive MT... :smile: and no clutch slip
other than from a standstill in 1st.

 

But seriously misfittoy what fine young lady could deny spending the evening with me with these stunning good looks:

 

i'm sure you'll pull in some men with a gay pose like that.

jk.

 

Very funny everybody thinks they're such frickin' comedian.

 

hahahahhaha

 

sid i could use some heel/toe lessons too, i cannot figure it out

 

remind me next time we meet

 

Don't feel bad Chili...I get beat up regularly by my own local club members

 

lol, sid it's all in good fun

 

I'm all for that...let's beat up on Chad and Ryan

 

I just wanted to encourage you to keep practicing. I learned to drive a stick on a 1973 VW Super Beetle!

My last manual car was a Honda Civic and I got to the point that I could up shift and down shift with out the clutch. Heck I only used the clutch to pull away from a stop.

The key is light pressure on the shfiter and watch the tach. You can find the sweet spot quite easily and the shift lever will move into neutral A slight lift on the throttle and it will go into the next higher gear quite easily. If you get it wrong just step on the clutch and put it in the next higher gear.

Down shifting is quite another story. You will put pressure on the shifter and then take it out of gear. Then you must step on the throttle to match the engine revs to the transmission revs and the magic happens!

Keep up the practicing, You can learn to shift smoothly!