Manual Gear Changing Question

[Bkeela]

After driving automatics most of my driving life, I got my first manual gear car today. I'm finding it very hard to adapt.

Does anyone know if it is okay to change down gears in blocks with a 1986 car? I know modern cars are better to change in blocks, like from 4th down to 2nd, but what about older cars?

Also, how long does it take to get used to manual cars?

Cheers.

[Kuciwalker]

Get an automatic.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

sure, as long as you are going slow enough so you dont blow out your engine. you can learn how to drive a manual on flat surfaces well in about 1 to 2 hours. stopping and then starting again while facing uphill, and parking faceing downhill takes longer

[Pekka]

I don't see why you would want to go from 4th gear to 2nd gear. Unless you are a really driver looking to make a really big waves with the car. But sure it's ok if you're going so slow to begin with. Just listen to the engine, if it screams, you know don't do that again, you'll learn fast. Just be gentle and learn it properly, shouldn't take too long, and then it's better than automatic in city driving. Well it really depends what you're used to. I don't like automatic myself. It's OK, but I just prefer manual.

Just treat it like a lady, you know when you're being too violent on it, I mean because you don't have an actual point of comparing thsi being your first manual car. Just be soft and smooth. A good tip if you're not a car person is, that the car starts moving when the clutch and the throttle pedals meet. When they are ont he same level, the car starts moving forward. From there on you just either let the clutch get up all together, or mix it up with pushing the throttle more at the same time if you want to go faster. But just keep in mind when you are practicing,that it moves forward when the two pedals meet in the same level. This will help you a little bit, so you are not just randomly letting clutch go and pushing throttle, because then the car just violently 'jumps' forward. You know, like women drive .

ALSO when you're parking uphill, the toughest thing to do, or if you're waiting uphill with your motor running, is to go forward without going backward first. This is not difficult naturally, but first timers not used to manual can get it wrong at first. A safe way to keep your car in place, uphill, is to keep the brake pedal on, then slowly lifting the clutch to a point where the rpm (rounds per minute) meter is between say 500-700 rpm. Then the car will be not moving when you let the brake go. then you can just push the throttle and you're moving forward. you can actually move forward with clutch only, if you let the rpm's drop low enough, not pushing throttle. This is for newbies, in uphill, when you get used to it and master your car, you don't need to do that, your feet will move like surgeons, fast and smoothly. But these two things are for newbies with manuals and they should keep it in mind or at least try because it helps you a lot at the beginning and makes it safer for you and others. Those two things were, that the car will start moving forward when the clutch and throttle are in the same level, and it will naturally start speeding as fast as you have the RPMs. The louder your engine yells, and you let the clutch and throttle meet, the faster it'll start speeding. Usually people go with little over 1000 RPMs to about 1500 RPMs, they let the car start moving between those figures.

This sounds all complicated, but it's not, people din't actually think these RPM things or what ever, but these are to help you to learn it properly, so you don't go twitching and jumping with your car. And the other thing to remember is that when uphill, keep your breaks on, and let the clutch lift a little bit, gently, little over 500 RPMs, and then your car won't go backwards at all if you let the breaks go, it woudl be like being with automatic and pushing the breaks. Of course don't let it go too low, the R PMs, because then the car will stop, and before that it will jump forward if you're on gears.

[Pekka]

Oh, and the older your car is, the clutch thingie is a little more fishy because they tend to suck more . So the clutch can 'slide' a bit with an older car, so with the uphill thing.. you know.. good luck .

[Provost Harrison]

Use the clutch Luke, use the clutch

[Provost Harrison]

If you have always driven manuals they are much preferable to an automatic. Automatics are nice and all but when the manual part is instinctive and you have been trained to drive with it, it is no hassle. Plus it gives you extra control and options, and better fuel economy too

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Pekka
I don't see why you would want to go from 4th gear to 2nd gear.

Do you actually drive? Probably one of the common downchanges in gear. If you are going at 30odd mph and are approaching a junction and you are clear to go, the gear you need is 2nd, not 1st...so 4th to 2nd is the most logical...plus you get the assistance of engine breaking if you do it at the right point in the slowing down. Same for 5th to 2nd...

[Pekka]

PH, right those are the reasons I like manuals more too. More freedom !! liberty.

Yes I do drive. YES if you are coming a bit fast (big gear) to a junction sure. Somehow I wasn't thinking that option . Then again, I drive a car that is mucho powerful, so I don't need to switch between gears like a nymphomaniac . Yes I am agreeing with you, I was just comatozed, thinking why would you go fooking fast and then drop to lower gears like that. And YES from 4th to 2nd ismaybe the most used change in city driving.

[Provost Harrison]

Yeah, well if you are on a motorway or something, 4th to 2nd is (or 5th to 2nd) is almost unused, unless there is one hell of a slowdown and you are reduced to crawling pace.

[Pekka]

Sure.

I don't know what got into me saying that in the first place. I feel kind of stupid now.

[Provost Harrison]

Don't worry, it's what I'm here for...

...which reminds me, did I get due respect on that subsidy thread

[Bkeela]

Thanks for the advice. I can't wait until my feet operate like surgeons. Manuals are certainly less boring than autos.

[Provost Harrison]

Yeah, 1986 is fine. It is a problem for manuals before synchromesh, but that was a lot earlier than that, trust me

[Ari Rahikkala]

You should just live in a More Enlightened Country where everybody drives cars with a manual transmission . At least in Finland (and hopefully in other places, too), if you only learn to drive an automatic transmission it'll be marked on your driver's license and you won't legally be allowed to drive a manual transmission...