Hi i have never driven a manual transmission. We dont have access to a car that has one, except for my dads 93 vette. It is a very nice car and he is extremely careful and protective of it. Anyway i really want to learn how to drive a mannual andhe wants to teach me. But not on the vette, cause hes worried about the clutch. i know the basics to it, just need experience. I thought i read somewhere on here or cz28.com that you can sort of learn by shifting while car is off/not moving. Any advice on this,or other methods to learn. I dont really have any money to spare to by a manual beater, as i am saving every penny for a f-body v8. I would prefer a L98, but want a stick. not possible though. Damnit!

 

im only 17 and i got a job at a tire place, thats how i learned, on other peoples clutches. the easiest way is to just dump the clutch, give it gas and let go of the clutch, the tires will spin but u will eventually be able to take off easier.

 

When using a manual tranny, the first thing to remember is that the hardest thing is to start moving in the first place. You have to get a feel for where the clutch engages at during pedal travel. Sit with the engine running. SLOWLY let off the clutch until you feel it start to grab. At that point, ease into the accelerator as you let the clutch out the rest of the way. You shouldn't need to press too hard on the gas, unless you are aiming for wheel-spin. Going from first to second, second to third, etc., is easy. Let off the gas as you push in the clutch, shift into the next gear, and let the clutch back out as you step back on the gas. As in all things, practice makes perfect. For normal street driving, you usually shift into second at about 20-30, third at 30-40, fourth at 40-50, and fifth at 55+, depending on how fast you want to accelerate. To turn, slow down to 15-25mph and shift to second. NEVER shift into 1st while the car is in motion!

 

Tell me what tire place you work at so I can remember not to go there

Anyway, your dad needs to lighten up just a bit. Get that vette out in a empty parking lot and you can practice using a clutch with no problems.

No two clutches are the same, a clutch on a 4 cyl is gonna be different than one on bigger engine. The previous posts give good advice on easing into and out of gear. Just take your time, its like riding a bike. Enjoy!