dummy's guide for shifting

[rockin86ranger]

ok so my dad says i get my btruck once i can drive a stick safely in town. so does any one have any tips or tricks to driving a stick.

thanks

p.s i don't have a tach........yet

 

[philzilla]

when your taking off don't rush letting the clutch out or else you will stall and while you are letting the clutch out slowly at the same time feather the throttle, i found this to help when i was learning. as far as shifting gos your just going to have to listen, you'll learn real fast where to shift once you get acouple shifts that lug down, just try to relax. you'll get it eventually

 

[Mark_88]

First time learning is usually harder on the clutch, but if you practice finding the 'grab point' of the clutch (should be about 3/4 of the way out if the clutch is set right) and listen to the sound of the engine reving...it's not that hard...

Always try to start on a flat surface and leave plenty of room for 'bunny hopping' until you get used to clutch/gas pedals...

Don't be afraid to stall out...it's going to happen and it's no big deal...as long as your battery is good and you're patient you should be driving your own stick in no time...

Hangunul Bimnida!

 

[86ford]

take your time and make shure you are with someone who knows how to drive stick very well and will remain calm even after multiple times stalling out because it will help you stay calm. i have been driving stick since i was 18 and have found that most people need only a general over view. reason being that people tend to learn best while watching and listening to another SKILLED person drive. (not one of those tards that holds it half out on a hill and smokes it every time or the person that just revs it up and dumps it every time the light turns green).

just keep in mind if you stall out alot or are practicing for long periods of time it is possible to over heat the clutch and warp it so give it some ten minute breaks to help it maintain its integrity. take your time and stop trying if you get overly nervous, angry etc.

86

PS my first 2 sticks didnt have tach's and thank god they didnt i would of felt bad running them to 4 and 5k.

 

[MrE_Powers]

remember once a successful shift is made, get the foot OFF of the clutch pedal. to leave it there is called riding the clutch and is bad for the clutch.

 

[lil red]

all i can say is, when youre first learning, keep your foot Over the petal, ready to press it, but dont actually apply any preassure, it will help if you need to stop quick, plus you learn exactly where it is, it helped me allot

and dont be afraid to shift, like up a slight hill i run it up higher in the rpms than shift, if the truck bogs and doesnt like it, shift back down,

youll also learn to downshift and what gear to go into when, like when i drive into town
i go downhill and it changes from 45 to 25, im usually doing about 60 but i know all the cops in town ,where they sit and when they sit there so dont try it, but i know when to let off the gas, go nutrel, lightly skim the breaks , and ease into third

its all in learning the vehicle, than it will just be second nature

and you might get the shifting bug

like how i cant drive my brothers car without actually useing the tip-tronic
its just more comeftreable to me now

 

[stegomon]

if you get real good....you can shift the tranny with no clutch at all....i can up shift from 2nd to 5th and then downshift

watch the tac if you can

 

[LearjetMinako]

all i can say is, when youre first learning, keep your foot Over the petal, ready to press it, but dont actually apply any preassure, it will help if you need to stop quick, plus you learn exactly where it is, it helped me allot

Amen to that. Just having your foot ready can be a big plus. Especially if drive in a state with a bunch of idiot drivers.

Learning to drive a clutch is not all that bad. Just remember, you can't do anything wrong on the first time. You'll learn by the mistakes you make. And once you've been driving for a few years, you will be singing, shifting and cruising down the road. And all of it will be second nature.

In my opion after driving manual for so long. I have now begun to hate automatics. Also the uneasiness of not having that 4th pedel, (3 pedals if you have a hand e-brake).

 

[Turbo-T]

Learning to feel the clutch is number one. Number two is learn the shift pattern without looking at the stick. Hold the knob in a relaxed grip. Most cars and light trucks today can be shifted with a thumb and one finger. Let the stick follow its own path.

 

[Birdman09]

when most people are learning to drive, when tehre starting in 1st gear or somewhere down low, they will get in gas and let out clutch, but as soon as clutch starts to catch. they just let there foot completly off, and that causes a bunch of jerking which you always see on tv or in movies with kids learning to drive. if it happens press that clutch right back in. most of all just experiment, and practice every vehicle is different

 

[metalmacguyver]

All, I got to say is stay relaxed. Its hard to shift when your all tensed up. Or learn anything for that matter.

 

[MAKG]

You're not going to get any useful help from the board.

THE way to learn to drive stick is to do it. There simply is no other way. Find a deserted area with lots of visibility and no obstructions and go to it. With someone who knows what they are doing to help you out.

 

[ryan]

You're not going to get any useful help from the board.

THE way to learn to drive stick is to do it. There simply is no other way. Find a deserted area with lots of visibility and no obstructions and go to it. With someone who knows what they are doing to help you out.

a school parking lot would be good this time of year


anything where nobody else is

 

[OilPatch197]

The best Vehicle to train in is a Ranger! 1st gen with NO tach!

 

[Will]

The best thing is to work on getting the truck moving without the gas pedal. People get confused when you give them 2 things to do at the same time. Just idle around using the clutch--bump it forward, feel the grip. Push it in when it gets close to stalling. The clutch feel is crutial when you start offroading it. Your engine has enough torque to get it going without any throttle. You may have to kick your dad out while you play with it. But on an auto, there are 2 pedals and 3 on a manual. It's that clutch you need to work on, not the gas. Once you spend 20 minutes and know where the thick spot on the clutch pedal is without wincing, you won't have a problem when you add the gas to it.