New to Manual Transmissions

[TopGearAddict]

Hey guys, I just bought a WRX and I'm getting my learners in a few weeks. I've been driving (stalling) around the neighborhood and I dont understand how to balance the gas and clutch when switching to second gear. When I go into second, the car jerks, is that due to too little gas when letting off the clutch? Also, how long before I can let my foot off the clutch when going into second? Thanks in advance!

[MakeItRoar]

It's jerking because you're probably dropping the clutch hard. Don't sidestep, slowly let it out.

[2002_wagon]

it takes time to learn slowly and i mean slowly let of the clutch and it wont stall you only need a little gas, and if you are driving it hard and shift it will jerk. treat it like if it were a baby, push the clutch slowly drop it into gear and then release clutch. you have plenty of time later to experiment, for now just cover the basics

[zax]

You need to balance the clutch release with some throttle to find the correct RPM to shift. The car is jerking because you are letting out of the clutch in the incorrect RPM range and the synchros are picking up the slack.

1. Are you familiar with the resistance zone of your clutch?
2. If you are shifting at 3500 RPM out of first, your 2nd gear will be at about 2200 RPMs at the same speed. If you don't match the RPM and/or let the clutch out too quickly, the car will jerk. It's the equivalent in second gear to stalling your car in first.

[zax]

BTW don't be embarrassed about the stalling, you're learning . I learned manual when I was the same age as you, before I got my license. Even now, 11 years later, I still stall at stoplights on a rare occasion Now THAT'S embarrassing!

[rage-wrx]

After almost 18 years of driving mostly manuals I still stall now and then.If you got the car going ,that in itself is an achievement.Take your time,let go of the clutch slowly & you should be good.

[kbrownmann]

i learned at your age as well. but sounds like you made it into 1st gear, which is the hardest part... just keep practicing, youll get the hang of it. its all in muscle memory, eventually you wont even think about it, and thats what a lot of new people do as well, they think instead of feel.


we all stall every now and then, and yes it is embarrassing when someone sees lol.

my one suggestion, once you get the feel of it, please, for the love of god, practice getting the car going on a steep hill... i promise you there will be nothing worse than being stopped on a hill with 10 cars behind you, and you finally realize oh sh*t i cant go anywhere.

[Marioshiboi]

You are probably shifting to fast. Just try different speeds until you find what works for your car. My 2011 is a slooooow shifter.

To they guys that said the occasionally stall. Under what conditions? The only time it ever happens to me is if I am parking and I let the clutch out before I have shut the engine off! I never stall out on the road though. 9 years of driving/9 years of clutching. I never think about it (except right now because I am learning the WRX)

Oh yeah, steep hills, use the e-brake! This new WRX has the hill start assist. Its weird....

[zax]

To they guys that said the occasionally stall. Under what conditions? The only time it ever happens to me is if I am parking and I let the clutch out before I have shut the engine off!

Sometimes when I'm in traffic, not using any throttle, just riding the clutch, not paying any attention, putting on my makeup, etc.

[Moduserous]

I too learned on a stick shift. It was a 1976 Ford Courier pickup (although everyone knows it was really a Mazda...). The clutch pedal was really stiff and 2nd gear was a trap gear and it never wanted to engage without some convincing. I've been driving 12 years now and I also stall once in a while. Always right out of 1st gear because I don't give it enough gas and it sputters out and dies on me.

After enough practice you'll be shifting by sound and feel. You just know when it's time to shift. The real challenge for me now is getting my wife to learn stick...

[TopGearAddict]

Thanks guys! I was able to shift to second smoothly today! I found that I was letting off the clutch to quickly. Now I let off of it more slowly and I'm listening to all of you guys' advice. Thanks again

[teflon_jones]

To they guys that said the occasionally stall. Under what conditions? The only time it ever happens to me is if I am parking and I let the clutch out before I have shut the engine off! I never stall out on the road though. 9 years of driving/9 years of clutching. I never think about it (except right now because I am learning the WRX)

I find it hard to believe you NEVER EVER stall on the road. If that's the case, then you give it a lot of gas to get started every time and you wear out your clutches unnecessarily. Anybody that drives stick stalls unless they rev too much all the time. It's inevitable.

[shadowpr]

Anybody that drives stick stalls unless they rev too much all the time.

I manage to do both.

[rage-wrx]

Thanks guys! I was able to shift to second smoothly today! I found that I was letting off the clutch to quickly. Now I let off of it more slowly and I'm listening to all of you guys' advice. Thanks again

great,very soon you'll be shifting like Gary Sheehan

[Marioshiboi]

I find it hard to believe you NEVER EVER stall on the road. If that's the case, then you give it a lot of gas to get started every time and you wear out your clutches unnecessarily. Anybody that drives stick stalls unless they rev too much all the time. It's inevitable.

What do you consider too much? I assume you are talking about starting in first, otherwise there is no revving going on...