It's really not as bad as everyone makes it out to be you'll be fine. As long as you understand how it works, there shouldn't be any problems, like sti owns evo said you just have to learn your catch points and how much gas to give when etc.

 

it's kinda like learning how to hover a helicopter.

you balance the 2 forces against each other. you have lift versus gravity. once you achive an equilibrium, you hover.

on a standard transmission, youi just have to learn when the clutch will catch the flywheel. at that point you have forward (or earward) movement.

kinda easy actually, once you break it down...

 

MORE collective less pitch!

 

most people drive auto's now days... statistically speaking..

 

Fixed

 

I recommend going to "howstuffworks.com" and spending some time on the clutch section. They have good animations that show what's happening there. I believe it's important to know what is going on with the pedal and what you are actually doing with it to properly learn. Spend some time on the transmission section too. Learn things like how to make your synchros last longer, how to double clutch (usually useless these days, but every once in a while comes in handy and learning is fun).

Just remember the clutch is merging a rotating flywheel with a stationary disc, and you need to find the friction point and meet the balance between the engine and the vehicle speed. Never ride the clutch - get in/get out. Master taking off from a stop in a few different cars and you will have it. Fun stuff. Really makes you feel more involved in the driving process.

 

I learned how to drive a stick when I was like....14. That was on a big old *** Chevy truck. Kids these days are too sheltered. It's not your fault though. Just remember to not look at the stick shift while shifting. My X girlfriend used to do that when I was teaching her to drive a stick. She did the same thing when I was teaching her to drive a manual transmission too...

 

Just like what wombatsauce said, learn and understand how the clutch work. Learning how to drive stick shift physically when the mechanics are understood, you'll learn with much efficiency, instead of asking your friend "why the car jerks so hard?", or "how come the engine dies?" during practice.

 

I love that site. I often refer to it for all kinds of things.


10:16: Judgment day. Time to go learn. Wish me luck.

 

In the words of a wise man: "Can't find um, grind um!"

 

I made it through alive. Yippee. Still figuring out how to smoothly start moving, and how to smoothly release the clutch, but yeah, good times.

 

you shouldn't worry, driving stick isnt as bad as most people make it out to be. I think that if i learned then anyone could. What helped me learn was right before my brother let me drive, he gave me a 10minute overview of how the it works (clutch, flywheel, gears, torque and stuff) so u'd understand why you'd have to engage or disengage on the clutch when u do, etc. Don't let stalling discourage you, cause trust me, you're likely to stall a lot.

 

Yup. I stalled like ton of times, but after 15 minutes, I was doing pretty well. Bumpy, but yeah.

 

After you master the stick shift, we can also help you to obtain your private pilot license by teaching you how to fly a small, single engine airplane right from this very forum. j/k

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

good ****, congrats.


i got some friends that go to Davis.....