What NOT TO Do (Manual Transmission), and WHY!

[trevor]

Hey Everyone,

I have been reading a lot of manual transmissions since I bought one recently, and I got to be honest - its pretty annoyingly confusing, so I decided I want to get direct and "explained" advice, not for me, but for everyone who has to suffer this vague topic.

Please tell us (everyone who wants clear info) what not to do when driving a manual transmission, AND WHY! - ESPECIALLY if it burns out the clutch. We do not need to hear best practice since we hear that all the time, but it doesn't help us understand what not to do and why.

Thanks in advance for your time.

NOTE: Please refrain from mentioning something someone else already said.

[Huz-Z]

If you are not starting off or changing gear, keep your left foot completely OFF the clutch pedal.

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

If you are not starting off or changing gear, keep your left foot completely OFF the clutch pedal.

Can just touching the pedal actually engage the clutch a little bit? Sometimes I leave my foot hovering over the clutch pedal if I'm in stop and go traffic, so at times it does touch the pedal if I'm not careful or if I get tired.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

Can just touching the pedal actually engage the clutch a little bit? Sometimes I leave my foot hovering over the clutch pedal if I'm in stop and go traffic, so at times it does touch the pedal if I'm not careful or if I get tired.

Why would you need to keep your foot hovering the clutch pedal in traffic? In almost all the naturally aspirated 6 cylinder BMWs built in the last 20 years (even the 4 cylinders), when you release the gas pedal it is almost like pressing the brakes since the engine braking effect on a HIGH compression engine is so strong.

In the MZ4 Coupe, because of the LONG stroke, 6 cylinders, and HIGH compression, when I release the throttle in 1st or 2nd in traffic it's almost like throwing out anchors. 2nd gear is SOOOOOOO damn long I can almost drive home from Orange County during rush hour and never touch the brakes nor the clutch (that's more a testament to how sh*tty traffic is than anything else).

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Why would you need to keep your foot hovering the clutch pedal in traffic? In almost all the naturally aspirated 6 cylinder BMWs built in the last 20 years (even the 4 cylinders), when you release the gas pedal it is almost like pressing the brakes since the engine braking effect on a HIGH compression engine is so strong.

In the MZ4 Coupe, because of the LONG stroke, 6 cylinders, and HIGH compression, when I release the throttle in 1st or 2nd in traffic it's almost like throwing out anchors. 2nd gear is SOOOOOOO damn long I can almost drive home from Orange County during rush hour and never touch the brakes nor the clutch (that's more a testament to how sh*tty traffic is than anything else).

Hmm, I haven't noticed that but I actually rarely drive the Z4 in traffic. I was thinking of driving a manual in general. Thanks for the tip, maybe I don't even need to engage the clutch while turning either if that's the case. I normally drive local roads with few traffic lights at 35-40 and turn at 25 or so.

[Vanne]

okay, 1.. DONT bunnyhop, cos its BAD for your box/clutch/engine....everything..
I dislike driving the z4m in traffic.. try not to slip the clutch <-- as it burns out the clutch.. All cars are different, my buddies Z4M clutch puckup is waaay lower than mine, mine pretty much picks up in the first 0.5 cm off throw, my buddies needs to press at least 2 inches before anything happens. Also mine has much, much more force (does that make sense?) behind the pedal than my buddies z4m.

Just try and be as smooth as you can mate ;-)

[Nate4641]

Do not rest your hand on the shift knob while driving. You can move the linkage with the gears and cause problems

In stop and go traffic it is ok to not be bumper to bumper with the car in front of you the whole time. Constantly engaging the clutch to start and stop puts a lot of wear on it much faster than normal. It's ok to wait for traffic to move a little further ahead and then slowly let out the clutch without pushing the gas pedal so you roll slowly. If you do it right the idle of the engine will get you rolling at a slow traffic speed. People might be mad you're not 10 feet further ahead of where they want you to be, but you nor they will get to your destination any quicker anyways.

If I am relaxed driving around town I try to keep the RPMs around 2k when I am at my cruising speed. This doesn't work at highway speed with our gearing though. If you pay attention to the tachometer on an automatic, you'll notice this is about the rev range those transmissions cruise at.

To add on to the above, smooth gas pedal movement is important especially if you have a passenger. I knew a guy a few years ago who for some reason was always one gear lower than he should have been when on the highway and instead of keeping his foot on the gas to keep a constant speed he would tap the gas repeatedly to maintain a speed. As a passenger you would be thrown around because the high RPM he was at from being in the wrong gear and the on and off the throttle would make the car jerk every time he hit the gas. He just didn't know any better. He wasn't going from no throttle to full throttle every time, more like no throttle to 25%, but it was enough to make you bounce back and fourth in the seat.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

maybe I don't even need to engage the clutch while turning either if that's the case.

Why do you think you need to engage the clutch when you are turning?

In the very simplest of explanations, when the car is in motion and the clutch is dis-engaged (foot off the pedal for this discussion) the only reason you need to engage the clutch is if you are going to reduce the speed of the vehicle to the point that the engine would be forced below its idle speed. What you are doing (stopping or slowing) determines what is done next with regards to selecting another gear and use of the clutch..

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Why do you think you need to engage the clutch when you are turning?

In the very simplest of explanations, when the car is in motion and the clutch is dis-engaged (foot off the pedal for this discussion) the only reason you need to engage the clutch is if you are going to reduce the speed of the vehicle to the point that the engine would be forced below its idle speed. What you are doing (stopping or slowing) determines what is done next with regards to selecting another gear and use of the clutch..

I generally engage the clutch to drop 1 gear when I make a left turn so my engine speed remains around 2000rpm. From what I just read earlier, that's not necessary unless I misunderstood. Let's say you're driving 40mph and assuming there's no oncoming traffic, do you normally leave your car in 4th gear while making a left turn or do you down shift to 3rd? The engine speed will probably drop to around 1200rpm (just a guess) if you leave it in 4th. I always thought that sound it makes when its in too high of a gear was bad for the engine (e.g. when you start moving from a stop in 2nd gear).

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

I generally engage the clutch to drop 1 gear when I make a left turn so my engine speed remains around 2000rpm. From what I just read earlier, that's not necessary unless I misunderstood. Let's say you're driving 40mph and assuming there's no oncoming traffic, do you normally leave your car in 4th gear while making a left turn or do you down shift to 3rd? The engine speed will probably drop to around 1200rpm (just a guess) if you leave it in 4th. I always thought that sound it makes when its in too high of a gear was bad for the engine (e.g. when you start moving from a stop in 2nd gear).

I think what they mean is do your gear change and release the clutch before making the turn. Of course you don't slow way down in 4th, make the turn, and stay in that gear.

[NickyC]

Whatever you do, don't use the clutch to stay stopped on a hill! I had a girlfriend once who owned a manual transmission car, and one day I noticed she had the gas on with the clutch pedal halfway on uphills to keep the car stationary.

Horrific.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

I generally engage the clutch to drop 1 gear when I make a left turn so my engine speed remains around 2000rpm. From what I just read earlier, that's not necessary unless I misunderstood. Let's say you're driving 40mph and assuming there's no oncoming traffic, do you normally leave your car in 4th gear while making a left turn or do you down shift to 3rd? The engine speed will probably drop to around 1200rpm (just a guess) if you leave it in 4th. I always thought that sound it makes when its in too high of a gear was bad for the engine (e.g. when you start moving from a stop in 2nd gear).

Originally Posted by chickdr

I think what they mean is do your gear change and release the clutch before making the turn. Of course you don't slow way down in 4th, make the turn, and stay in that gear.

^WHS
essentially you should always be in gear unless stopped or changing.
Shift before entering a corner to the gear that you need to be in exiting the corner.

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

^WHS
essentially you should always be in gear unless stopped or changing.
Shift before entering a corner to the gear that you need to be in exiting the corner.

Yeah, I've been doing it all wrong. I don't engine brake when I come to a stop, but I just realized I do it while turning. Before a turn I downshift 1 gear and slowly let up on the clutch pedal during my turn (instead of rev matching prior to the turn) so I don't have to brake.

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Whatever you do, don't use the clutch to stay stopped on a hill! I had a girlfriend once who owned a manual transmission car, and one day I noticed she had the gas on with the clutch pedal halfway on uphills to keep the car stationary.

Horrific.

Funny how we all end up with exes with bad manual driving habits! I had a few of those stories as well.

[NickyC]

You'll get the hang of it. I learned to drive on a manual transmission car, and I've never owned anything since (23+ years now). I hate paddles, and I HATE automatics. If manufacturers finally kill manuals one day, I'll never own a new car. It's manual or nothing for me.

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by NickyC

You'll get the hang of it. I learned to drive on a manual transmission car, and I've never owned anything since (23+ years now). I hate paddles, and I HATE automatics. If manufacturers finally kill manuals one day, I'll never own a new car. It's manual or nothing for me.

You've never sat in traffic after a long/tiring day at work and think "I wish I had an automatic?" If not, then give it another 20 years. You'll probably change your mind when you're 60

[pokeybritches]

ALWAYS rev match when downshifting. Never ride the clutch out as an alternatove to rev matching.

Don't slam through gears as quickly as you can. You won't impress anybody, and lightning quick shifts don't increase your performance by much of anything at all. Faster drivers shift smoothly. Learn the ideal upshift speed, as in the amount of time (delay) you allow so that the rpm can fall while changing gears. 7000 rpm in 2nd might be 4500 rpm in 3rd, and if you shift before the rpm has dropped far enough, you will upset the balance of the car. Too fast or slow, and you shock the drivetrain. Obviously your shift speed can change depending on the gear and rpm. A rule of thumb is to give a heartbeat between gears.

Any time you have the clutch partially engaged, you are slipping it. The only time it should be partially engaged is when you're transitioning from a stop. Otherwise, it should either be engaged completely or not engaged at all. Treat it like an on/off switch.

If going forward from a stop, always start in 1st gear. Other gears require more clutch slippage and bog the engine down.

Be easy on the throttle when in high gear and low rpm. Lugging the engine around is very hard on it, and you're under high load without spinning the oil pump quickly enough. A good rule of thumb is not to use heavy throttle below 2000 rpm in 3rd gear or above.

If you're cruising over 3000 rpm and not in 6th, you should probably upshift. More rpm means more wear and worse gas mileage. Aim to cruise between 2000-3000 rpm.

[Vanne]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

You've never sat in traffic after a long/tiring day at work and think "I wish I had an automatic?" If not, then give it another 20 years. You'll probably change your mind when you're 60

+1

i now own my first ever automatic jeep, and unless its a sports car, ill never drive manual again..

[pungo]

Those that know the internals of a transmission, how synchros work, clutch & release bearing function and have rebuilt all of these should know what will make them last and what won't. Rev matching and not jamming gears as quick as you can is the key to the longevity of the synchros. If you're careful, and rev match, you can shift without even pushing in the clutch, but it is hard on the sychros, so don't do it. Downshifting is harder on the syncros without rev matching. Snychros are soft brass and act as brakes to match the collar/gear speed, so the more they're abused the sooner they'll wear out. 2nd gear synchro is usually the one that gets the most wear, so that's the one you should try be the most careful with.

Brakes $, clutch $$$ and synchros $$$$$. So slow down with your brakes, not to say you shouldn't use engine braking, but I've seen people downshift to 4 to 3 to 2 to slow down, never touching the brakes. Changing brakes is much easier & cheaper than changing clutches or synchros.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

Do not rest your hand on the shift knob while driving. ...

Guilty of this. I need to stop fondling my knob.

Originally Posted by NickyC

... It's manual or nothing for me.

^WHS Flappy paddles -->

Originally Posted by Twixboy

You've never sat in traffic after a long/tiring day at work and think "I wish I had an automatic?" If not, then give it another 20 years. You'll probably change your mind when you're 60

Nope. Sit in traffic almost 3 hours a day.
Getting close to 40 years driving stick.
Wouldn't want to sit in traffic any other way.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

You've never sat in traffic after a long/tiring day at work and think "I wish I had an automatic?" If not, then give it another 20 years. You'll probably change your mind when you're 60

I'm not quite 60 yet, but I've driven in probably the worst traffic in the country (Los Angeles) for the last 18 driving almost exclusively a stick. I used to traverse:

405 between West L.A. and Torrance, driving past the airport daily during rush hour

10 between San Gabriel and Santa Monica, again, daily, during rush hour

101/110 through downtown L.A. daily, during rush hour

The infamous Orange Crush, where the 5/405/57/55 all combine to make one of the biggest cluster f**ks in the world, daily, during rush hour.

Having driven, for 18 years, through the toughest stretches of traffic, driving nearly nothing but manuals, I think I can chime in on this. It isn't the driving a manual in traffic that sucks. It's the driving in traffic that sucks the life out of you.

I recall, when my E46 was in the shop for some work, I took my wife's E46 (mine was a stick, her's an auto) to work for a week, and distinctly remember being just as frustrated and exhausted driving the auto. It makes zero difference. The only time I feel "less" frustrated with traffic, is now when I'm driving my plug-in electric, because I get to use the HOV lanes when I'm by myself, and the traffic "extends" the range so I'm not so freaked out with pulling into the garage with less than 5% charge left and a screaming turtle on my dash.

You quickly learn to leave about 1.5-2 car's space in front when you drive manual in heavy traffic. That space allows you to practically never have to switch gears (2nd goes a very long way, from ~10 mph to up to 35-40mph) and anticipate using engine braking so you don't even have to worry about using the brakes.

Like I said, I once almost drove all the way through the infamous orange crush without using the brakes nor changing gears. Sure is less stressful than accelerate, brake, accelerate, brake, curse the dish*ts in front, accelerate, brake.

[Lance_Goodthrust]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nate4641 View Post

Do not rest your hand on the shift knob while driving. ...

Originally Posted by StickMon

Guilty of this. I need to stop fondling my knob.