I was just recently told that I stay on the gas when I shift this causes lurching, and is consecuently bad for your clutch. I have gone to the clutch( let off gas at same time approx.), shifting then reapplying the gas. Is this the fastest and easiest on your clutch?? I have heard horror stories from people that said their clutch went out at 20K. So I guess my question is; what shifting method is best and how do you do it?

Thanks in Advance
"Chili" Aka Mikey

 

Not trying to steal the thread, but when we left off the clutch in our 04' mcs when its cold it squeks, anyonr know?

liljack and matchbox

 

Chirp... Chirp... Chirp...

 

I've found that the best (and smoothest) shifting method is:

1. Let off the gas slowly as you push the clutch in.

2. With the clutch all the way in, and your foot off the gas completely, shift into the next gear.

3. Let out the clutch slowly, as you re-apply the gas.

good luck

 

well...without a doubt, the best thing you can do for your performance/clutch life is to know your grears. This comes with experience, or you could make a chart like me You could go flash cards if you feel so inclined.
What I mean: 4th gear...50mph...rpms? KNOW EM! split second is all you got!

now, this is if you like to drop down a couple gears to show that mustang cruisin up on your rear quarter that this isnt just some put-put car.

Also nice to know if you like to drop out of gear all together and just coast for as long as you can until the person behind you is like...5 under speed limit...what?!?!?! Then you can just blip the gas, and bring it to 2400rpm and just...push it into 3rd without the clutch...FLAWLESSLY!

now...if all you do is go 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 (stop sign) 1 -> 2 ...
then you really dont NEED to know these numbers.

btw, what KRGmini05 is known as feathering and is the most popular. You can do it very well just by listening.

you could do double-clutching which is...push clutch in, drop out of gear. release clutch. wait the proper amount of time for the engine to right rpm for next gear, then push clutch in, go into next gear, release clutch. Your left foot will be doing a stomp-stomp with .05 second inbetween. It not very popular..but does make you look like you're doing more then you are. Looks impressive to those who have NO idea how to drive stick

 

"Coming Soon: 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible, hot orange, black/grey two-tone leatherette, 5 speed (my final decision...after multiple trips to the dealership, and a lot of research)"

Sorry to interupt but I think your car will be "THE CHICK MAGNET"

Alright back to the thread at hand!

 

First to Second to Third to Fourth to Fifth to Sixth usually works for me.

 

EXACTLY!

A few of my buddies have already said, "that's a chick car dude"...I say, "thanks"

 

There are probably as many right ways to shift as there are drivers
I've been driving sticks for over 35 years.
I get rolling in first with a quick engage of the clutch,regardless of throttle input.When I shift I do a smooth fast shift,stick and clutch.All ways move the stick fast,not hard,fast,the clutch will always lead and follow a shift,and the less time spent moving the clutch the better.
In traffic,I tend to not upshift much,2nd gear,unless I'm moving faster than 35 mph.
Less shifting,less clutch wear.
I find there is some lag in the MINI throttle,holds rpm,when you lift off the pedal,mine anyway,drive by wire But this could be why you seem to be into it still when you shift.Time driving the car will fix that.
I've never replaced a clutch in a car,and my MC is my first new car.

 

i find with everything else, if i just relax and stop thinking how to do it i actually shift smoother and better... its when i start to worry about everything that i start to ruin it...

also, being in a bad mood doesnt help at all!

 

yea, ill agree, being angry causes you apologize to the passengers for being a "JERK!"

 

Ya just try not to JERK and all will be fine

 

I agree. I stay in second in the city. Not always great for gas but less shifting and keeps my speed down. Starting in first is querky. I tend to feather the gas as I release the clutch until I feel it engage and then away you go.

 

Yup,but I get rolling with the clutch released,even at idle

 

Never Quoted myself,but at idle,rolling and you punch it

 

So how (technically speaking) do you do all of this? I figure if I can practice correctly while not on the road and in traffic the better I'll be.

 

While your learning:
Just let the clutch out from a stop in 1st while applying *a little* gas. Don't slip the clutch too much to avoid excessive wear, and just get it rolling. Once the clutch is fully engaged, give it as much gas as is practical.
Somewhere between 2500 and 3700(or so), let off the gas, and press in on the clutch *simultaneously* (you'll get it).
Shift into 2nd.
Release the clutch and give it a little gas (again simultaneously).
Repeat as needed for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. No big deal. Just concentrate on "smooth" at first; smooth starts, and minimal lurching between gears.

As for clutch wear, you don't want to spend too much time at the friction point of the clutch (where it engages), and when engaging the clutch you want to minimize the difference between engine speed and and wheel speed at the gear you've selected. The less those clutch plates spin against one another (rubbing at the friction point), the longer they'll last.

 

I posted a thread several years ago called "decelleration hesitation" about this very thing.The response I got about the RPM's seeming to hold for a few seconds was the overweight flywheel (almost 26 lbs)and its effect here.I have come to adopt a method of shifting (going up ) that includes waiting with the clutch in until the RPM's come down to match the next gear before letting the clutch out.In General ,at least in my S , each gear seems to lower RPM's approximately 1000 RPM's.Hope that helps.I WOULD say that if you continue to shift the way you describe,with the accelerator to the metal, that you will need a new clutch in short order.

 

Ya I read that somewhere too about the flywheel,maybe your thread.It did not take me long to get used to it.I don't always drive with the pedal to the metal,or plastic in our case.
And I did say to punch it with the clutch engaged
I should mention that I'm getting a new tranny today,cold weather issue with the seals,nothing to do with my driving,and the tech. told me my clutch looks almost new.45K miles in 19 months

 

looks like we need a new forum...driving 101.

 

wait... my MCS is a manual?!

WTF!?!?!?!?!


hardeehar

well... what i do is this:

find a friend who undeservedly trusts that you will be nice to his manual car. practice practice practice, and then drive your own. I learned on:
1. 1991 Taurus SHO 5 spd
2. 1991 Chevy Silverado 4spd + overdrive

The SHO always left my left foot shaking when i was done driving, and the truck had the stiffest POS accelerator pedal ever. But it makes a newbie flexible.

In all honesty, "listening" to what people say about "how" to drive only gets you as far as developing what you've already gotten a feel for while practicing/driving. Just drive drive drive, and you'll feel it. It's all zen til you let out the clutch too early in the middle of throwing it into a gear and it makes that horrendous "GGGGGGGRRRRRRRNGGGG" sound. But you won't do it again for at least a few hours after, i swear. That's what i tell myself anyway.

 

I learned on a tractor when I was 10, drove old beetles,no syncro into first,no problem,lock up the back wheels with the e-brake,slid into firstMany with a three on the tree shifter , trucks and sedans.
One of the first Toyotas to land here,first car I figured out how to shift with out using the clutch.
69 Grand Prix with a 409 and hurst shifter,boy was that fun.
Oh and many 5 tons with split axles.
I shift gears without thinking about it,all it takes is time.
If I can do it,anyone can:smile:

 

....

you win.


hahahaha

 

Other than the launch I am fine. Any pointers? I tried adding a little gas while slowly letting the clutch out, but i still stall the engine. BTW I am making a transition from a CVT MC to a 6 spd MCS

 

Maimusmini -
Simple. Right heel on brake, left foot - clutch in, select first gear. Right toe on gas - rev to 4000rpm and let clutch out quickly.....and launch! I guarantee you won't stall You might have to replace tires more frequently than you would like though. do it with DSC off for more fun.