Hey all. I recently purchased an 06 scion tC and this is my first standard car. Over the last week I've become quite accustomed to driving it, but I feel as though I could use a few pointers.

First, I"m still a bit jerky from a stop to a start. Is it normal to have a little bump when starting or should it be completely smooth? Also, I learned that the car must be going at least 3-4mph or so before I can release the clutch all the way out or else I get a little bump by releasing it too quick. Almost as if I must ride the clutch just at the engage point for a second before I can go all the way out.

Second, when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd, I noticed that in order to keep the car smooth the clutch pedal must be let slowly. If I were to just take my foot off the pedal quick, the car feels like I'm dragracing it with the jerk that I feel. Is this normal?

Lastly, how long did it take you before it felt like 2nd nature? I wish I could just wake up and be a pro at it. At times I get anxious that I should be good at it by now, and get ticked when I make it bump.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

the bump from the start comes from not giving enough gas at the start.

while shifting, you have to add a little bit of gas to be smoother.

took me about a month to be completely comfortable with it

 

It will take you awhile to get it completely smooth. I've been driving stick for 7 years and this car for a couple months, and everyonce in awhile, I still shake the car a little. Sounds like you aren't giving it enough gas and the shaky points. Just keep practicing, work on feeling where the engagement point of the clutch is and you will be fine.

 

Yup, it'll just take a lot of practice. BTW, the jerk might not be entirely your fault. You have a brand new car, with a brand new clutch, which means it is very grabby. It's pretty difficult to get smooth launches when the clutch isn't broken in yet. Don't worry, you'll get it.

The tC is a little "weird" as far as its throttle and clutch are concerned, but its just something you'll get used to .

Also, its ok to use your gauges to guide you while you're learning, but eventually you should just be able to "feel" things and not need to rely on the gauges to tell you what's going on. For example, you'll know when the clutch is fully hooked up on a launch when the car just "goes" - you'll learn to feel it, and not have to rely on the 3-4 MPH thing.

BTW, check out www.standardshift.com . I also suggest you join the forums .

 

The next car I get is gonna be a manual. I've only driven one twice and I was quite nervous.

 

It's natural to be nervous. People who don't know betterget the impression that manual cars are the most sensitive thing in the world and one bad shift will blow up the transmission.

Just wait to the first time you get stuck on a sharp incline with the car behind you right on your rear bumper. I guarantee you will burn the hell out of the clutch and start shaking/sweating. It's all part of the learning process.

 

thank god i dont have hills here in FL...

 

My wife is still like that... I taught her how to drive a manual about 2 years ago in my old Civic, but she still won't drive the tC I've had for 18 months because she's afraid she'll break something.

There is a spot just like that in my parent's neighborhood- stop sign at a sharp incline, with a right turn the only real option. My older sister tore up a clutch there, as did I, and now when we go back to visit, I get to watch my wife stall there in her "practice" RX-7...

 

just pull the parking brake and release it as you release the clutch. no worries

 

what?! what about getting stuck on the ramps in the parking garage, man?!

That happened the first day of school and it really sucked that time

 

Since it's a new clutch, letting it out slowly isn't a bad thing, but it's probably not a habit you want to get into.

Instead, you can try rev-matching - that is, between shifts, tap the accelerator to keep the rpms up. That way you can shift into the next gear without riding the clutch and keep it smooth. So, for instance, when shifting out of first, tap the accelerator to get the rpms back up, shift into second and let off the clutch. With practice, you can make it as smooth as an auto.

It's all practice and learning. It took me about two weeks to stop looking at the RPMs. Before I traded it (1.5 years later), I didn't really pay attention to anything (as mentioned before, it's all feel). When I first started I never listened to the radio and made sure no one was talking while I drove just to get an idea of what the engine felt and sounded like at certain RPMs. But everyone learns differently.

I traded the stick for an auto - there's nothing else like stick, I must say.

Probably the best thing you can do is at night drive around as much as possible. Parking lots, inclines, etc. Practice starting and stopping, panic stopping too - you'd hate to slam on the brakes and not the clutch (then stall out).

 

Standardshift is definitely the best forum I've been on when it comes to reading up on all things regarding manual driving. I visit the site every couple weeks to refine my driving methods and kick any bad habits.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if it's my big feet or what, but I still can't get a hang of braking and gassing at the same time while clutching. I know there's a name for it but my mind is drawing a blank at the moment...

 

heel-toeing? It's all right, that's an advanced technique that takes a while to get. I still haven't gotten it

 

I just got my tC and had to get reaquainted with the stick. It was too bad after having been in an auto for the past 3 years.

That first gear is short, but I'm gettin it.

 

Oh, that's right. Thanks! I'm a size 10 and wear dress shoes most of the time so I tend to mash the brakes every time I attempt to heel-toe.

 

I just went from a manual xB to a manual tC - boy what a difference! The tC clutch is much "grabbier" (is that a word?), and I've been driving stick for 20 years and this is the first car I've had the "hop" when starting out in 1st gear. I've got to learn how to smooth out the start off - but that's the fun of getting a new car, getting to know all it's ins and outs!

 

nauticac,

You will also notice that having the AC on/off will also affect the degree of 'jumpiness' while shifting into gears 1-3.

After driving with the AC on full blast, I find that my shifts are butter smooth when it's turned off. Am I the only one??

 

Wow lots of replies so far. Thanks a lot I appreciate the help! I haven't been to that standard____ website until now, that seems like a great resource!

So far I have been stuck on one steep incline, gave it too much gas and peeled out. At least I didn't roll backwards into the other ladies front bumper!

 

I love starting on an incline. Not sure why but I never really had a problem with them. Otherwise just practice. You'll eventually feel how much clutch u need for a certain amount of gas. Have you tried Reverse yet? I hate backing up in a mani.

 

it sounds like you're granny shifting and not double clutching like your supposed to.