I'm going to be getting my MCS soon. I've never owned a manual car, although I've learned on friends cars and I've have no problems with typical, flat surface daily driving, on many cars . Please, any advice on the following will be helpful in mastering the technique:

Hills: I always get stressed out when someone pulls right up on my rear when I am on a hill. I know it just about mastering exactly when the cluch engages with giving some gas, but are there any tricks/pointers that will help? Exercises that I can do to perfect? Same with making quick turns into traffic....

Downshifting: I want general drving tips. Theres a road north of Cincinnati (exit 36 Wilmington Rd) that has freshly paved hills and twisties through the Miami River Valley. I plan on driving up there to perfect my skills. My brother does some auto-x and he's helped me get down the concept of brake into, accelerate out of the turn (with my automatic Camaro Z28). Whats the tricks with a manual tanny? What should I try to do, and what can I do to perfect the turns and the hills?

Heel Toe: I've always heard people preach heel/toe. No one can really explain it perfectly - but I've ridden with some poeple that do autocross that can do it perfectly. I know that as you brake going into a turn, you depress the gas to match the RPMs into the gear in which you are shifting. How can you accuratly and quickly brake at the same rate at which you are applyinh gas at the same time (lots of practive, right??). Anyway, any tips and tricks to help you learn this technique is appreciated.

I've always loved manual tanny cars -- wishing I've had one for quite a while now. It just adds to the driving experience. I want to get this right, develop the best habits from the start. Thanks for you help!!

Erik

 

Hills: PRACTICE

DOWNSHIFTING: LEARN HEAL-TOE SHIFTING

HEAL TOE SHIFTING - Ok, it isn't really with your heal and toe, well it can be but that is really awkward. What you want to do is match the RPM's to your downshift like you mentioned. Try using the left side of your foot for the brake and rolling your foot where the right side pushes on the gas. The way the pedals are layed out in the MCS it is easy to do. It does take some practice. After a lot of Auto-X racing and track driving I do it without thinking about it. Just practice

 

better yet...

http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving..._heeltoe.lasso

I prefer using the side of my WIDE foot and not the heel...tried it...no sir, didn't like it...

 

I learned to drive Manual on my S, Speeddemon's right, practice.
Also to learn to drive aggressively, the autocrossers bible also helps.

"Secrets of Solo Racing" by Henry A. Watts.

got mine through amazon, and after a week of practice went from 40mph in the chicanes to 70mph down Angeles Crest (L.A., CA)

 

hey that turnfast.com site is pretty good. some great articles

 

I havent learned that one yet, but it sounds like a lot of work.

 

 

>>I always get stressed out when someone pulls right up on my rear when I am on a hill. I know it just about mastering exactly when the cluch engages with giving some gas, but are there any tricks/pointers that will help?<<

Use your parking brake to keep the car from rolling back. As you start to let the clutch out to move off, slowly release the brake to match the forward pull. This works quite well when you pick it up. It also reduces wear and tear on the clutch trying to hold the car on the hill.

 

All right ZAKdog!!! (we're not worthy)

 

what's more impressive is that Zakdog took such an awesome photo while cruising near the speed of light

_________________
2002 Dark Silver MCS. Premium / Sport / Nav

 

I'm more intrigued by those fast trees! they are doing what 140?

 

>>what's more impressive is that Zakdog took such an awesome photo while cruising near the speed of light

 

wow only 3794 miles on it too

I learned how to drive manual on my mini and I do that parking break thing on hills all the time, I'd burn the clutch if I didn't.

 

Can not stress this enough .... don't use the clutch to hold the car on a hill, use the parking brake. Then do as Moorlockx wrote. Practice the technique when no one is behind you to gain confidence. I suggest starting slow... practice on a driveway and work your way up to steeper grades.

retroom

 

>>Use your parking brake to keep the car from rolling back. As you start to let the clutch out to move off, slowly release the brake to match the forward pull. This works quite well when you pick it up. It also reduces wear and tear on the clutch trying to hold the car on the hill.

Yeah, but do you have any idea what it does to your parking brake?

I did this once when I was first learning to drive a stick and someone told me to try it. I mean really, how far apart is the brake and the gas? Are you really that slow in moving about 3-inches?
-Chris