First time stick driver

[i97supratti]

I bought my first stickshift car 3 weeks ago, a 92 accord ex, and I'm doing alrite so far. I taught myself how to drive it, but I still got a few questions.

Is engine braking good or bad? If I am coming to a stop light, do i brake while in gear until around 5 MPH in ANY gear (1,2,3,4,5) and then shift into neutral, or do I clutch into neutral right away and brake as I come to it?

If i'm slowing down, is it better to just slow down in gear or in neutral? And if I end up not needin to stop (light turned green), I just shift into 2nd and go on right?


And when I come to a stop sign where I only need to stop for 3 seconds then go, do I just keep it in 2nd gear, stop, and go on in 2nd gear? I used to re-do the launch from 1st, but it takes too long and everyone gets mad and blows their horn at me

[Infinitrium]

To answer question 1, personally I coast down to 40 mph in 5th, then clutch in and use the brakes. Better off to replace a 50 dollar set of brake pads than a 150 dollar clutch, I've been told. When you think of it, even a car with an automatic doesn't really give you any engine braking. Leave the gearing down to the 18 wheelers.

As for question 2, depending on what speed you're doing when you start to slow down, and what speed you'll be at when you reaccelerate, i'd just leave the car in whichever gear you were in until the engine gets down to about 1500 rpm, then I usually push the clutch in, shift to the gear I think I'll need when I go to reaccelerate, then let the clutch back out when I speed back up.

For question 3, in a situation like that, I use first gear unless I'm stopped on a downhill section of the road in which case I usually will start off in second. Don't pay any attention to those people and their horns, you've only been driving a stick for 3 weeks. You WILL get better with time. Oh yes, and even the best stickshift drivers stall the car every now and then.

[h22sparkle]

wait a minute was your supra stick or auto form before? this is your first time?

[i97supratti]

wait a minute was your supra stick or auto form before? this is your first time?

Never had a supra. It's just my screenname ha. I made it when I was younger and was crazy about supras. Not anymore tho, they are overrated.

[h22sparkle]

they are overrated unless you shooting some big numbers

[KillerCam282]

Should get some money set aside for a clutch. Let me suggest my all time favorite of ACT.

[deckeda]

Is engine braking good or bad?

It's indifferent, in a practical sense. A low-compression engine with lots of miles won't offer much in the way of slow-down anyway. Keep the car in gear; it's safer IMO.

If I am coming to a stop light, do i brake while in gear until around 5 MPH in ANY gear (1,2,3,4,5) and then shift into neutral, or do I clutch into neutral right away and brake as I come to it?

There's nothing wrong with using the brakes while still in gear, and if you need to accelerate in order to avoid something you'll already be in some gear. Also, with some experience you'll be able to come to a stop without using the clutch to take it out of gear --- you'll know or be able to feel where the revs exactly match the gear near where idle is, making the clutch unnecessary. The truly skilled can shift up and down without the clutch at all, but that takes a patience I've never had.

And when I come to a stop sign where I only need to stop for 3 seconds then go, do I just keep it in 2nd gear, stop, and go on in 2nd gear? I used to re-do the launch from 1st, but it takes too long and everyone gets mad and blows their horn at me

Each situation is potentially different, and don't worry right now if you get a few horns honked at you. Just don't sit there at the light with you foot on the clutch, even partially engaged. You may be about to leave in like 3 seconds however it's a bad habit to get into --- an an expensive one. Don't be lazy, put it in neutral at the light.

Your goal with the clutch is always to Get In and Get Out, balancing that with smoothness --- there'll be some compromise but pay attention to your left foot. Keep it OFF the pedal unless you are actively going to move the shift lever right then.

[i97supratti]

One more quick question, I heard it was not good to keep your hand on the shifter while you drive, something about it messing up your synchros.

[deckeda]

That's what I was specifically told when I bought my '01 Golf GLS 1.8T. Don't know if the manual CB7 is as susceptible or not, but why tempt fate?

But the real question is, why have it there at all unless you're gonna move the stick? It was never intended to be a hand rest. That's what your gf's thigh is for.

[NoSloCB7]

I rest my hand on the shifter when I'm crusing. I've got the auto-x shifter in my car so it is high enough to comfortably rest my hand on

[90AccordEXR]

In daily traffic I wouldn't bother with the downshift but if you're driving hard and need extra stopping power then maybe.

[Shadow1]

heres a good idea to FORCE yourself to learn how to drive a stick. go work as a detailer at a dealership with a owner who modifies the sports cars. then detail one of his cars and drive it to the gas station. its fun drivin a 350z wit over 500hp. thats about the only way i learned. i drove his cars that had like $2000 trannies in 'em.

[TysCb7]

I wouldnt down shift, it will slowly wear out your clutch and honestly is not needed unless you are zippin around town, as for the resting your hand on the shifter I woulnt recogmend it, another little trick is dont ride the clutch, thats where you are in gear or neutral and you have the clutch pressed down this will also put wear on your clutch.

[civic_90_08]

this was a good thread for me to look at...im gettin a CB7 here soon and its gonna be a stick...i know how to drive it from watching my mom and dad....but ive never drove one...thanks for makin this thread bro

[koolkoreanked]

Whats with the dont use the engine to slow the car down comments? I've always done this. The time it would wear your clutch down is if your not rev matching on the down shift. I dunno, I picked up the habit of using the engine to help slow the car down from my neighbor. He has never had a problem with a clutch wearing out early...