Neutral is your best friend. When you are not moving just put it in neutral, this will you keep your foot off the clutch as much as possible. As far as second goes, it really makes little to no difference the gear you start in. (1st or 2nd)

 

You also probably killing your synchros. Think, the engine idles at 600 RPM, and your trying force a 0 RPM trans into it. Yeah it will move it but it will screw up your syncros.

However, if you don't care at all for your transmission (it will wear it out like never before as you learn) you can shift through every gear (except a dead standstill into 1st) without ever using the clutch. Just match the engine RPM to the trans RPM and shift. Slightly have your transmission into the gear slot and 'feel' the rpms like up, the car will then grab the gear almost on its own.

Be ready for lots of nasty grinding as you learn though. Although its very usefull to know if you are driving a car and something happens where you can't use the clutch.

 

It's called AAA

Scott

 

uh yeah everybody knows that... and about ruinin the synchros... THERE ARNT ANY in first. CYAAAAAAA

 

no synchros on first? hmm, i doubt that
"- The E350 transmission is a compact, lightweight 5-speed manual. There is a double-cone synchro on the REVERSE gear. Triple-cone synchros can be found on FIRST and SECOND gear. This provides faster gear engagement, smoother shifting, and reduces noise. "

taken directly from "everything you wanted to know about the tC"
heres a link
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35024

now whatcha got?

 

cant argue with that, solid evidence, good work man.
I KNEW that their HAD to be synchros on first cuz thats really one the gears u need em most. Someone said no so i listend. That would be the only way to explain why the car does that when u press agaisnt the gear. honsetly i dont do it that much, and those synchros are there to help you out so i think its going to be alright. expecialy since im not applying that much pressure on the gears.

 

sensay, i'm glad you took it like a man, very honorable

so, has anyone had to replace they're clutch yet because of slipping?
i'm at 11k and mine feels fine, but i know its been burned up a little more than the seasoned stick shift driver's clutch would be, considering this is my first stick car and i like to have a little fun in it. but nothing stupid

 

im almost at 15k and its just as clampy as the first day i got it. I didnt exactly always take it too easy on her either.

 

i live in the LA area and im still desiding between getting auto or manual. i kno the gas would be the same and as the rest of the manual riders wich pick manual for the fun ride that is my dilema, never driven it and think it will be fun of course my lady likes auto and if the gas is the same i guess ill choose auto for those two reasons! auto i think wins for this car as the gas is the same and the only diff is the acceleration... what ever more convinient at times so poop it

 

I'm almost positive the xA/B have no synchros in 1st/reverse though...I think that's what the original poster was commenting on. Also in regards to another post here a little ways back about starting in 1st or 2nd gears...is starting from a dead stop in 2nd bad on the tranny/engine?

 

no, posible light increase in clutch wear. engine and trasmition fine... if done right. dont bog, take it easy, and have enough revs.