Okay, I'm going to preface this with the answer to the question you are all going to be asking and that is simply 'because I'm an idiot.'
I wanted a new car and my parameters for buying a car was that it had to be impractical. I have to have practical once I have kids so I figured this is my last opportunity for a long time to have impractical. As usual, I went above and beyond and purchased a car that epitomizes impractical in that I can't even drive the damn car!
It was one of those things where I saw the car on the lot and just HAD TO HAVE IT. It was there, staring at me and I wanted that one...not the one next to it, that exact car. (as an aside, this is how I plan my wedding too so that would be why I have major budget issues..LOL) I didn't care that I don't know how to drive a 6 speed, I figured I would just learn, I mean how difficult can it be?
Okay, fast forward 10 days later and my brand new car is still sitting in my driveway b/c I just can NOT grasp the concept and I am a danger to society with the damn car! FH and my dad are the WORST teachers I have ever met. They are totally impatient with me. I have the basics down but I'm not getting into 1st gear that well and I'm continuously 'dumping the clutch' whatever the hell that means.
Anyone have any tricks to teach me? Any words of wisdom besides sell it and get an automatic...lol?!
Tatum&Steve
Posted:
Member since
Re: RP: BHB: NWR: help with stick shift
Has anyone tried to teach you like this..
Start with it in first gear, clutch in - SLOWLY SLOWLY ease off the clutch...FORGET ABOUT THE GAS for now...you need to realize where the clutch disengages.... THEN Slowly give it gas...
Even if you keep stalling it - just do that and forget about the gas, you need to feel that first.
Tatum&Steve
Posted:
Member since
Re: RP: BHB: NWR: help with stick shift
UGH, I have to say, I my first two cars were stick - from age 17 to 28 I drive stick - I FINALLY couldn't take it anymore driving stick all the time on LI - it was fun in the beginning..but traffic just annoys the CRAP out of me...
Don't worry, soon you will be shifting, drinking, putting on make up and steering with your knee!
HamptonsBride
Posted:
Member since
Re: RP: BHB: NWR: help with stick shift
try not to 'think' about shifting too much...my first new car I bought was a 5 speed...i had only driven friend's cars sporadically that were stick...so when i had my brand new car I was a bit scared...I remember making my SIL come with me incase I froze driving it home...
Some tips: Getting into first...alot of newer shift cars hardly even need gas to get into gear...let up on the clutch slowly...and only as it feels like it might stall give it a tiny bit of pressure on the gas...and if it does feel like you are going to stall just press back down on the clutch to prevent it from happening...
I miss driving stick!!! Beleive me..once you get the hang of it you will love it! Just give yourself some time...or see if you can find someone with patience to teach you!!!
neener1211
Posted:
Member since
Re: RP: BHB: NWR: help with stick shift
think of it this way, you have to balance the amount of letting up on the clutch as you do giving gas....
think of it as you are keeping a balance balanced...you need to give the same pressure to the gas going down, maybe even a little more, as you slowly let up on the clutch..
I just taught my 16 year old cousin from Florida how to drive clutch...and she loved it.
1st gear is the hardest to learn....you'll master the rest of the gears before you master 1st.
When you are shifting in any other gear, remember to put your foot on the clutch all the way down, and let up on the gas, THEN shift to he next gear....
I hope this helps a little bit...I've been driving stick for 10 years now...and I Learned to drive on a stick first before an automatic....
mycrayon1
Posted:
Member since
Re: RP: BHB: NWR: help with stick shift
Posted by neener1211
think of it this way, you have to balance the amount of letting up on the clutch as you do giving gas....
think of it as you are keeping a balance balanced...you need to give the same pressure to the gas going down, maybe even a little more, as you slowly let up on the clutch..
I just taught my 16 year old cousin from Florida how to drive clutch...and she loved it.
1st gear is the hardest to learn....you'll master the rest of the gears before you master 1st.
When you are shifting in any other gear, remember to put your foot on the clutch all the way down, and let up on the gas, THEN shift to he next gear....
I hope this helps a little bit...I've been driving stick for 10 years now...and I Learned to drive on a stick first before an automatic....
I couldn't agree more! My old car was a stick, I learned as a valet (hence why never get your car valeted ) While I miss it I don't miss driving it in traffic!
thelastresort
Posted:
Member since
Re: RP: BHB: NWR: help with stick shift
Posted by mycrayon1
Posted by neener1211
think of it this way, you have to balance the amount of letting up on the clutch as you do giving gas....
think of it as you are keeping a balance balanced...you need to give the same pressure to the gas going down, maybe even a little more, as you slowly let up on the clutch..
I just taught my 16 year old cousin from Florida how to drive clutch...and she loved it.
1st gear is the hardest to learn....you'll master the rest of the gears before you master 1st.
When you are shifting in any other gear, remember to put your foot on the clutch all the way down, and let up on the gas, THEN shift to he next gear....
I hope this helps a little bit...I've been driving stick for 10 years now...and I Learned to drive on a stick first before an automatic....
I couldn't agree more! My old car was a stick, I learned as a valet (hence why never get your car valeted ) While I miss it I don't miss driving it in traffic!
I was thinking about that whole valet thing! YIKES! Thanks everyone for the advice! I appreciate your help!
