Hi all...

Since it's FINALLY going to be above freezing tomorrow (I've never been so excited about 37 degrees...) I thought that a richly-needed hosedown might be in order--sick of salt flaking off every time I open the boot. My question is this: do I need to avoid getting excess water in the scoop? I figure that I shouldn't get down there with the hose and take aim, but is this something that I should really be careful about?

...and on a completely unrelated note: anyone have any advice for someone like me: never driven a stick (well, I "practiced" a few times) before and am now entrusted with the well-being of Ollie, my MCS. I just feel like he might cringe every time I open the door....

Thanks and happy motoring!
~Kelley

 

Without stuffing my hose down the scoop, I've washed my car many times and have found no problem. I do open the bonnet and wipe down the area water gets down the sides though. Many people go through car washes and I'm sure they have no problems either, or we would have heard by now. Wash the car and make yourself feel happy.

As someone who grew up driving stick shifts all I can say is what someone else on the board suggested - rent a car that has a stick. Once you have that stick, clutch and gear feeling, you'll always have it. Burn out a rental car and not your MINI. It may take you 15 to 20 seconds to get the feel of a different car once you know what to do, but you'll always have the stick - clutch feel.

 

Yes, I go through the car wash on a regular basis, and wash it in the summer time every week and have not noticed any problems with water in the scoop. I just aim and shoot the whole car.

And for the stick shift thing, I would highly recommend learning. I have had 3 stick shift cars, and the mini feels like the sole reason stick was invented. The transmission is as as smooth as butter on both the S and regular MINI.
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<img src="http://puma.dpg.devry.edu/~cthoemme/MINI.jpg">

 

Here's a tip my hubby gave me about shifting successfully:

First, find that "sweet spot" on the clutch - you know, that spot where it feels like the gear is taking hold. Then, continue to steadily give it more gas (don't gun the engine) but without letting the clutch up further. The gear will continue to grab and it will begin to move the car forward at an increasing rate. Then you can gradually continue to release the clutch and give it more gas.

The tendancy is to let off the clutch pretty fast after you hit the "sweet spot". Slow down your left foot and you'll find the car will be more responsive.

Hope this isn't too confusing. It's easier to explain when you're actually in the car trying it.

 

Here's a tip my hubby gave me about shifting successfully:

First, find that "sweet spot" on the clutch - you know, that spot where it feels like the gear is taking hold. Then, continue to steadily give it more gas (don't gun the engine) but without letting the clutch up further. The gear will continue to grab and it will begin to move the car forward at an increasing rate. Then you can gradually continue to release the clutch and give it more gas.

The tendancy is to let off the clutch pretty fast after you hit the "sweet spot". Slow down your left foot and you'll find the car will be more responsive.

Hope this isn't too confusing. It's easier to explain when you're actually in the car trying it.

 

>>The tendancy is to let off the clutch pretty fast after you hit the "sweet spot". Slow down your left foot and you'll find the car will be more responsive.

barky - nice call.

By the way, was that an instant replay.

 

>>
>> ...and on a completely unrelated note: anyone have any advice for someone like me: never driven a stick (well, I "practiced" a few times) before and am now entrusted with the well-being of Ollie, my MCS. I just feel like he might cringe every time I open the door....
>>

Yeah he probably will "cringe" but what are you gonna do? :smile:

 

Don't worry about water and the scoop. It will just flow through the intercooler. I would not pour water through it on a really hot engine, but other than that, you are OK. Just like driving in the rain.

BTW, ever experienced Dragon Breath? If you drive it fairly hard in the rain and then come to a stop, you might notice steam coming out of the scoop. Kind of a cool sight!

 

The dragon breath thing sounds really cool and makes total sense. I just wish it would rain now..(for the first time ever I think)... although if it were raining that would mean it is a lot warmer than the 10F it is right now.

 

I learned to drive a stick on two different toyota pickups. My roommate's 2002 4X4 tacoma and my mom's 1979 2WD toyota pick up.

If you can find an older stick shift car that has a clutch with a few thousand miles on it will be easy to learn.


The older manual is well worn in from all the miles will be smooth to shift and the clutch that is just broken in will grip well.

 

You should be fine as long as you dont get happy everytime you need to wash your car and hose your engine bay while its hotter then...(hmm wont say that, might get banned)

 

There's not a whole lot of water that enters the scoop area when washing a car. It's not like you really need to aim the hose directly into the scoop. So as long as you don't sit there for like 5 minutes squirting water into the scoop, you will be all right.
Like was said already. You CAN wash your car when the engine is hot. Just be MORE careful about getting water into the scoop. Hot engines do not like cold water. It'll reak havoc on hot metal parts such as your block and such. That's a no-no. If you find yourself wanting to hose down your engine bay, do it when the engine is completely cold. Or if you absolutely *have to* wash it right then and there when it's hot, use warm/hot water. But is more adviseable to do it when the engine is cold. Also cover things like wires, battery, alternator, etc.

As for learning the 'stick'. I have suggested already that one should find a rental dealer that has stick shift cars to rent. Not too many out there that do. Or maybe find a friend who has a beater or something they wouldn't mind letting you loose on. Friends are always willing to teach anyone, I find. Because they, themselves had to learn on a car as well. Or even just find a beater for a couple hundred dollars, and learn on it. Then turn around and sell it.
The hills you will find are the toughest to grasp for the first few times. Advice for that would be to keep your foot on the brake on a hill. Let your clutch out about half way. When you start lifting foot off the brake pedal, you will notice the car pulling itself by letting out the clutch, or it'll just sit there depending on how much you let it out, and the angle of the hill. Then apply gas as needed. When you slowly disengage the clutch, it will move you forward without needing help from the gas. But if you have the clutch all the way in, it will move you backwards. Play around with where the load point on the clutch is, a bit. Best place to do that would be in a driveway with a slight slope to it, a side street that's not busy, or even a sloped loading dock behind a grocery store at night, or not during busy hours. It'll come in time. When stopping, your stall point is about 800 RPM or so. So have the clutch pressed in around a 1000 RPM. When taking off, don't really need to have your clutch in for anything more than 1000 RPM to get going. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring.

 

Laurie had the same concerns as you do about learning the stick. We went out in my ranger and had a few lessions and she realy hated the thought of driving a manual (the truck is not very friendly to novices). Then came delivery day. Laurie didn't want ot deal with traffic and snow (it's Buffalo after all) so I drive the MINI home. When it was her turn at the wheel her attitude quickly changed about driving the car. The clutch is one of the most novice friendly I have ever driven (over 20 yrs exp). I don't think you have anything to fear, just take your time and real soon you be a pro at it.

 

Hey thanks everyone!

Of course, now that this thread has been relegated to page 32 (or something equally trafficked Oh well, at least the salt is no longer flaking off. I'll be sure to be cautious about engine temp and washing, though.

Many motoring appreciations,
~Kelley

 

Hey thanks everyone!

Of course, now that this thread has been relegated to page 32 (or something equally trafficked Oh well, at least the salt is no longer flaking off. I'll be sure to be cautious about engine temp and washing, though.

Many motoring appreciations,
~Kelley

 

My advice for learning a stick is not to rent a car....save your money. Go to your local Chrysler or VW dealer and beat up on a PT Cruiser or Beelte. Maybe you can burn up a clutch or two and keep some of those dreadful beasts off the streets so we have happier motoring.