When releasing the clutch, are you supposed to release it slowly or are you supposed to just let go of it? I do not mean when accelerating out of first gear but rather, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5.

 

it's all about finding "the spot" where the gas catches and clutch releases. every car is a little different. Once you're comfy with the spot, fast slow, whatever the hell you want ;)

 

ID go with slow.

Once you get a little more comfortable on "the spot" where it actually catches and getting through it smoothly, you can start letting the clutch out faster.

I would never suggest "dropping the clutch" (pulling your foot off and letting it spring back) unless you plan to buy a new clutch each year.

With a little practice, you should be able to get this thing down to a science.

 

Thanks, I did not know that letting go of the clutch instantly damages the clutch.

 

it not only isn't good for the clutch, it's not good for you because you will lurch around.

driving standard is all about feel. the tC has one of the better feeling clutches i've driven...very smooth and easy to learn on. my wrx was a pain in the **** even though i've driven standard my whole life. really small catch point and rough feel

 

The tC cluth wierded me out at first...it releases so early. A lot of people stall it the first time they try to drive it, but after a few spins around the block it start to feel really good......super smooth tranny. I like it better than my xB clutch.

 

I've never driven a manual-equipped toyota, but honda's can have a rough 1-2 shift when the car is cold. Sometimes even when it's not particularly cold. I wouldn't worry too much about any 1st to 2nd "crunch" if it goes away when the car is warmed up. It's not really a 'grind', just not a smooth engagement.

 

go ahead and break it that's why you have a warranty! jk!

 

i could never put my WRX into reverse unless i pumped the clutch about 5 times...something with a straight cut reverse gear or something. i also had "cold clutch judder" if it was freazing or hot and humid the clutch would jump all over the place, felt like it was going to stall. so consider a rough 1-2 shift a blessing...it could be a lot worse

 

Do a search. . . I did a long list of tips for manual a few days ago.
When you shift, it should be smooth, no matter how you are driving.
Even if you are driving hard, you can release the clutch fast yet still achieve a smooth shift by hitting the gas a lil more.
Every shift should be super smooth, and this will ensure the least amount of wear. It shouldn't take you longer than 3-5 seconds on the release, as a rough gauge, unless you are on a hill or are driving slow in a higher gear than you should (tempting in traffic but not recommended). But remember that just by releasing the clutch slowly, you do not create the best shift. It's the best balance of gas(but not too much either) and clutch.
You'll eventually have it perfect with practice. But bottom line:
Make every shift smooth.

 

I suggest not using the clutch for 2-5. That way it might never wear out. ;-) I do think learning to drive without a clutch IS a good thing though. It lets you know where the the synch is AND if you do lose your clutch, it's good to know you can get home.

 

For a newb? Are you really serious? Maybe when you are more experienced but? Even then?

 

it doesn't "damage" the clutch per se... but it WILL wear it out. letting go instantly while revving the engine at about 2000rpms is a clutch "drop". i used to do it all the time on my IS300 (racing a friend with a 330Ci). not particularly good, but it's great for launching.

anyway, everyone is right about the "spot"... called clutch point. when you rev the engine a lil bit and slowly release the clutch, you'll feel a point where it engages. just practice that and it will feel like second nature soon enough.

 

Ok, some more questions. The reason I thought you were supposed to release the clutch fast is that I thought this meant less wear. Apparently I am wrong. I thought slowly releasing the clutch while pushing the gas would wear the clutch out more. Anyway when your shifting gears are you supposed to release the gas pedal slowly like the clutch or instantly?

 

For shifting other than from a stop, you want to:

1) push the clutch in.

2) adjust the throttle so that the speed of the engine matches the speed of the transmission at the gear you plan to be in.

3) let the clutch out. If you've matched the speed correctly, letting the clutch out won't speed the engine up or slow it down, and the car won't lurch. If you're using the clutch to speed up or slow down, you're going to wear it out early. If the engine is going the same speed as the tranny, it doesn't matter how fast you let the clutch out (within reason, don't sidestep it).

 

When you say adjust the throttle does that mean you do not let off the gas completely when you push the clutch and change gears?

 

Right. With the clutch in, use the throttle to make the engine turn at the rpms it will be going anyway when you release the clutch pedal.

 

If you release the gas completely when shifting gears is this worse/same/or better for the engine and clutch?

 

If the engine is at idle just before you release the clutch pedal, then the clutch disk will be spinning faster than the engine is. When you release the pedal, the clutch will slip until the engine has been brought up to the same speed as the clutch. This slipping will cause wear on the clutch disk. Also, the energy required to speed up the engine with the clutch will slow down the car, causing a lurch, so your driving won't be as smooth as it could be.

Some slipping is unavoidable, because you won't be able to exactly match the speed of the engine to the speed of the clutch (that's why you have a clutch, and not just a direct linkage between the engine and the tranny). But you want to minimize it.

 

ok zizi... honestly, with NORMAL driving (meaning shifting relatively slowly to make thigns smooth) you will wear it out... but it's so minimal since all cars now come with synchros.

i think the best piece of advice for driving manual is to LISTEN to what we say, but don't DO what we say. when it comes down to it, you won't understand ANYTHING we say to you unless you actually drive a manual for yourself. seriously, just practice and everything will make sense.