Sooo i've finally got a manual vehicle, and what a work out it is to learn how to drive it!

But i think this mini driver will be a self-taught/youtube-watcher stick shift driver

My mom attempted to teach me yesterday, but with all the jerkin' and buckin'.. she eventually ended up fleeing the car and losing her dinner all over the grass Maybe i should've had her stand outside of the car?

But man.. starting from a stop is as hard as my college final exams! 1st gear is so evilllll

 

http://standardshift.com/forum/viewf...daf8ead0344a84


They will answer any questions you have.

 

+1

 

I learned to drive manual transmission by going to a dead-end street and doing lots and lots of starts. Find yourself an empty parking lot, or quiet street and just practice starting until you have it perfect.

Some people find it easier with the Sport button on. You might try that.

 

My older sister taught me to drive a manual, need her number?

 

Although I knew how to drive a manual transmission before I got my MCS, I didn't have one as a daily driver. I drove the first few hundred miles with the sport button off, as recommended by my MA, and wondered why I came close to stalling so often (I never came close to stalling on numerous MT cars I test drove). Well, I pressed the sport button, and the rest is history.

Even now, with ~11.5K miles (I can take off from a steep hill without rolling back at all, and can perfectly revmatch in any reasonable gear), I notice a HUGE difference without the sport button on, and come close to stalling (not enough throttle).

 

Now that was a shock. I had no idea there was a forum for learning to drive a stick, but why not?

I guess I was lucky, as I learned to drive with a three speed, then came four in the floor, then five and now my first six. It is eaiser when you sneak up on it one gear at a time.

Jim

 

Is she hot?

 

+1 on StandardShift.com. The guys on the forum (including me) are more than willing to help... but search first, as always.

It was really rough for me, starting, as well. The first day I got pretty discouraged. Find a level lot, calm down, and bring the clutch up slowly (wihtout touching the gas) until you feel the car just start to move--then put the clutch back in! Keep doing it until you're comfortable with where the clutch engages. Then, by continuing to bring the clutch up slowly after that initial movement, you should be able to do a no-gas start... when you get to doing that reliably, then you can add a little gas to get going quicker. The biggest mistake a lot of people make is that they let the clutch up quickly once the car starts moving slightly--you can't--you have to let it up gradually. Eventually you'll get a good feel for the clutch. Once you've got the starts down you're aces, for the most part.

 

Go to an empty parking lot, and just keep practicing. You'll get the hang of it.

That's what I did

 

that forum is so useful! i been reading it for hours

 

I can second that. This is my first stick. I was taught a little by a friend, but my MA actually taught me how to drive a stick while my car was on order. Sport button gives it more throttle and makes it was easier to start out with. It's a totally different car with the button on.

Also, you wont get good at it until you have some time in the car. All of a sudden it will click and your body will do everything without thinking about it. It just takes some time.

 

haha was on my way down to post that!

 

haahahaha!

 

I'm a new manual driver (almost 2 months now) and agree with a few posters above:
1- use the sport button...less stalling...I still don't drive without it
2 - get to know your clutch...i spent hours driving through a vacant parking lot and our neighborhood at night to learn the art of start/stop and starting on hills
3 - eventually it just clicks, though I'll admit I'm still learning technique by watching my hubby's feet while he drives Roxxy

Good luck and have fun!

 

Wow, I've driven a stick for the past 40 years! The mini is the easiest I've ever driven. On the flat, just feathering out the clutch slowly without gas is usually all that is needed to get you moving. You should try a 70's Corvette!

If you have a later model with the hill brake, you should have no problems.

 

Just make sure you practice everyday, and you should get the hang of it after a week

I got my Mini on a Saturday, and had to make it to class on Monday.. I had to learn in a day..

 

Try starting off in second gear. It gives you a better feel where the clutch engages and how much gas pedal you need to match it. You have a little more freedom this way. Not having to worry about stalling out helps build the confidence a little better.

I took my friend to buy his TT last year. 10 minutes before we got to the dealership (3 hours away) he told me he can't drive stick. I got the joy of driving his car and scaring him in it for awhile. When we got close to home, I pulled over and handed him the keys. I told him "I got you this far, now it's up to you." I spent a good hour going over the finer points of driving a manual. Second gear worked for him.

 

waait.. starting in 2nd gear is ok? That's safe? no harm?

 

Damn me too! Still doesnt answer the question though.

 

To learn, it can be a useful tool for some (I always thought the car stalls easier in a higher gear?). In everyday circumstances, no--it's not a good idea, because it requires additional clutch wear. You might use second gear to start in slippery/icy/snowy conditions, or if you're starting down a fairly steep hill, but otherwise, no, not really. If it helps you, though, using it as a learning tool for a little while won't affect the clutch significantly; especially if you no-gas it.

 

Just remember: as you (gently) push your right foot down on the gas pedal, pull your left foot off the clutch at the same rate. You'll eventually learn when to shift just by listening to your engine and feeling the car!

 

My dad taught me how to drive stick the day my MINI came in. He drove it out of the showroom, and to the biggest hills he could find. The first day was probably the most stressful day of my life, but the next day I drove it to work and school all by myself only stalling once. 16,000 miles later and my clutch hasn't burned up yet, so I think I'm doing somethin' right.

 

My dad taught me to drive on his stick 1989 Omni, which became very temperamental in its old age. Definitely do the parking lot or dead end street thing. I used to drive around the parking lot of a local school, which had some small hills so I could practice starting on a hill, too.

For me, downshifting was the hardest thing to learn. I only got good at it after watching my friend's technique.

Good luck!

 

Learning can be a trip, just remember driving stick is all about driving with confidence, if you’re nervous you’re more likely to stall and get frustrated.

ALSO, remember you have hill assist in your MC. This is my first time having it in a car, and I think it must make learning much easier (no parking break needed). I love it for sitting in traffic on a ramp.

Easiest manual car to drive is a Miata, hands down.