how to shift in first

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orange county
#1
iv been practicing for a while how to shift well. iv drivin stick for some time now, but when im in nuetral or even just at a stop and chillin than have to go i can't seem to get my timing down in first. i can do it slow and everything is fine, i just want to know how to shift fast. is there anything you guys did to practice your shifting. OoO and is it bad to stall a lot. because i was practicing all day doing this and i stalled around 5 6 7 8 times or so....
 
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Wayzata, MN
#2
shifting into first you shouldn't have to do fast? 2nd 3rd and 4th maybe, but not first. stalling all day long puts wear and tear on a lot of things, and i can imagin your car and surroundings will wreak of clutch.

practice practice practice, and start with the basics. do'nt try to jump in and hit a perfect launch all the time. just try creeping and stuff, and try getting of the clutch at lower and lower rpms. but again, start with something easy then work your way up.

good luck [thumb]
 
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Ames, IA / St. Paul, MN
#3
As frolf said... practice makes perfect! I am not a good manual trans. driver, then again I haven't really owned a manual car for a long period of time. Killing it puts most wear on the clutch, so be careful. I say take it to a big empty parking lot and test your self there. Nothing to hit, no one's around to see you stall it.... [;)] Just take it easy.
 
#4
Dude you should definitly not stall more than once or twice. I learned to drive a manual a few weeks ago and I only stalled twice, and both were practicing on a steep hill. You just have to keep driving normal and eventually you will find you automatically get shifting faster and faster.

Don't worry about riding the clutch when you're first learning. Riding the clutch is very bad, but it's better to do that a little bit than stall out and crash the car. Just let out the clutch really slowly and give it a little gas and you can feel it start to grab. You just want do everything smoothly.
 

epj3

Senior Member
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#5
Take the rpm's to like 5,000, then let go of the clutch very fast. You sure wont stall it!!! [:p]

I honestly can not tell you how to teach yourself how to drive stick. The one day before I bought the bmw from my friend, i tried to drive it, I stalled it once then after that I was fine - I just sort of picked it up.
 
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#6
Do you have a friend you can practice with?
I had been riding dirt bikes for some time so it was easier for me.
When I got my first car (standard) my Dad rode with me, took me to the back of a mountain, and I worked FOREVER !! Before it was over I was an Ace!
Just an aside: I rented a big diesel moving truck a few years ago and got stopped by red light on the top of a STEEP hill (truck was empty at time) the car behind me was right on my rear bumber( you'll get used to it) I didn't want to roll back into the car-reved the snot out of the poor truck, and let out the clutch- I "chirped" a 27' diesel moving van-on a VERY steep hill !! At least I didn't roll back.
Get smooth on level-but know how to do it on a hill! Be ready for the hill.
Keep at it-at one point it will all come together, we've all been through it.
Good luck! Find a friend who knows-may shorten learn time.
-Mel
 
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orange county
#7
thx pink .. ****en dick. i am fine with stick. i stalled it a couple 5 6 times because i was learning how to let go quickly from nut to first. nothing really happends when u stall. your clutch gets a little rough...and thats about it. your car doesn't blow up. thx for all the advice people. since you dont know how to read. i can drive just was asking how everyone go from neutral to first quickly.


epj - grautzi dude
 
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#9
blast328iS said:
tthx for all the advice people. since you dont know how to read. i can drive just was asking how everyone go from neutral to first quickly.
Ok, wow..... we're trying to help you out and THATS the thanks we get. "since you don't know how to read"..... wow dude, get some respect and get back on the forum when you grow up.
 

epj3

Senior Member
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#10
wood_e said:
Ok, wow..... we're trying to help you out and THATS the thanks we get. "since you don't know how to read"..... wow dude, get some respect and get back on the forum when you grow up.
But i need to learn to look cool and shift into first without using the clutch but it grinds and i look stupid! Help!!
 
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#15
flashinthepan said:
Blast,

I am a fan of the UUC clutch stop. $20 eliminates some of the extra foot travel.

Give it a shot.
thats a super good idea. that was one thing i really had to get comfortable with was the long travel before the takeup of the clutch.

my stock .5cm stop broke off a while ago, so my clutch goes right to the floor
 
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#16
Is there a rice burner site that someone can send him to?
Wrong car, Wrong site!
Great laugh when you know what he's REALLY after though!
-Mel
Thanks ACE-loved all your replies!
 


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