Okay, this is probably sound really stupid, but I've never driven a manual before.

I was at the dealer playing with the stick of a Civic SI (just trying to shift one of the floor models) and I found that I couldn't smoothly shift between gears. Sometimes I would do 3rd->4th when I wanted 3rd->2nd. I was wondering if when you are in 5th, is it straight down to get to R or is there like a little angle that prevents you from doing that?

I'm asking because I plan on getting a manual tC and my dad's going to teach me, but he's not gonna be back from his business trip until 2 weeks.

 

No you cannot, there is a a blocker that will stop you from shifting into R. It is possible to go through that blocker but you would have to shift into R with the intent of breaking through that block. And the grinding gears would be an unfriendly reminder that your shouldn't shift into that spot.

 

Thanks for the reply. I think that grinding won't be the only damage. You might break the whole axle if it's weak enough...

 

WOW that would be bad. LOL We all have to learn, but yes, its usually very hard to try to downshift from 5th to R, or to go into R at all unless you are at almost a full stop. My advice, find a friend with an older 5 speed and have them teach you. Well unless you are prepared to invest in a new clutch.

 

If you shifted into first with the clutch still disengaged, then you shift into reverse...it'll let you in :D

 

I don't have any friends who drive manuals. The best I can do is try my best not to mess up the clutch. If I do mess up the clutch, I'm so screwed... :'(

 

BTW, how much would an original OEM tC clutch cost for just the parts if I mess it up?

 

You're 22 and your dad is teaching you how to drive a stick shift?

 

So what's your suggestion? I never drove a stick before. My friends don't have manuals. Should I just learn it on my own?

 

Dont worry about it. Youll be ok in a couple hours and in 2 weeks, youll forget about learning alltogether

 

you'll be fine. it really is better to learn on an old crappy car or something but you'll learn fast probably with minimal damage done to the clutch. if it makes you feel any better there was a guy at my dealership that bought his 18 year old son an Evo for graduation. after they bought the car the kid had to sit there in the parking lot and try to learn how to drive stick.

as for shifting in to reverse, definetly not going to happen.

 

If I had the money for an Evo, I would most definately try to find a <$800 car to learn first.

 

lol, an Evo to learn a stick on? That's a very hard clutch to get used to, it's very grabby.

All it takes is practice, I've never shifted from 5th to reverse. I have shifted 5th to 4th, rather then 6th though.

I learned to drive a stick on a Bimmer, so a beater isn't necessary. Just remember to ease off of the clutch while putting on more gas.

And hey, if you're in central TX I'll teach you. Not for free of course, I charge 1 beer/hour

 

is there a blocker to keep you from shifting into 1st while you're still moving or is it just that 1st gear doesnt have any synchros?

 

There's a blocker. Don't know how effective it is as I don't have my tC yet.

I've driven a Celica where it's damn near impossible to get into first if going over 5 mph, I've also driven a beater Escape that'll let you into first going 20+

 

i have tried to downshift into 4th from fifth a while ago and did it wrong. i was actually trying to get into reverse! it made a metallic grinding noise for a second. i'll never do that again. i always return to center for a second before down shifting to 4th.

don't force it if your unsure!

 

i dont think theres any shame in not knowing how to drive a stick. at least you are trying. some people have just never had to do it before. the first car i got when i was 17 was stick shift and ive been driving stick ever since. i think its fine .

i know plenty of people that only drive automatics, its just personal preference.

 

My friend learned on a Z, he went to the dealer and they talked him into it, I get a call "Hey Steph, can you come get me, I can't get the car out of the lot:

We went to a lot where I showed him the basics, and now he is fine. It took him about 3 weeks to get good at it, but the clutch in that car has a LOT of pressure, and I even stalled the car 2 times trying to find where it catches and I have been driving stick since I was 15. We all learn one way or another. I remember my high school friend got an MX-6 turbo and he cried all the time "How much to make it an automatic!!" But after a month he loved it and won't drive anything but.

 

you don't know anyone with a stick, where do you live?
get to a empty parking lot and SLOWLY let out the clutch when you feel the it start to grab, equal switching from gas to clutch soft steady movements.

 

I live in NY and all my friends drive automatics. I guess they're afraid of the traffic.