Question about driving 5spd. new lava owner...first post.
05-05-2004, 04:57 PM
#1
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Question about driving 5spd. new lava owner...first post.
wow. after about a week of BSing with lustine toyota in woodbridge Va, i finally purchased a RS1 (from Miller in manassas.) Lustine has been nothing but trouble, whereas i walked into Miller, told them what i wanted and walked out with my car.
I traded in a 2000 mustang (auto) for the hot lava, which i decieded to get in 5spd. I have minimal experience with manual transmissions, and was wondering if you guys could give me any tips. I know the basics, but its things like what to do on hills that have me confused. I have a friend whos taking me out this coming weekend to give me a refresher before i take delivery of my lava. How long does it usually take to get the hang of. I dont want to have to replace the Xb's cluth the first week I get it.
oh, and some background information. Im 20 y/o and live in manassas VA, going to George Mason.
I traded in a 2000 mustang (auto) for the hot lava, which i decieded to get in 5spd. I have minimal experience with manual transmissions, and was wondering if you guys could give me any tips. I know the basics, but its things like what to do on hills that have me confused. I have a friend whos taking me out this coming weekend to give me a refresher before i take delivery of my lava. How long does it usually take to get the hang of. I dont want to have to replace the Xb's cluth the first week I get it.
oh, and some background information. Im 20 y/o and live in manassas VA, going to George Mason.
05-05-2004, 05:01 PM
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If it feels like it's about to stall, give it more gas.
I was driving to school the next day after first getting behind the wheel of a manual. It just depends on mental capacity and how able you are to learn something entirely new.
I would study the basics of the manual transmission first.
Welcome!
Andrew
I was driving to school the next day after first getting behind the wheel of a manual. It just depends on mental capacity and how able you are to learn something entirely new.
I would study the basics of the manual transmission first.
Welcome!
Andrew
05-05-2004, 05:05 PM
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I learned to drive a manual transmission in a parking lot of my local target when I was about 19 years old, and it took me about 2 nights to finally get a real good grasp of it--good enough where I was confident enough to take the car on a public roadway at least!
Some tips on hills...I usually put the car in neutral and am on the brakes the entire time while stopped. When it's time for you to go, clutch in while still on the brakes, shift to first and quickly move your right foot off of the brake and onto the gas--and give it more gas than you would at a normal stop on a flat surface though, so you don't let the car rock back too much and hit someone behind you.
Another way to do this, is while stopped at the hill, apply the Ebrake. When you are ready to drive, clutch in, shift to first, rev the car up a little, let the clutch out some and then let the ebrake down...that way you get less of that roll back.
Personally the ebrake method would be safest, but most of the time i'm just too lazy to bother with it!
Good Luck, shoot us any more questions you may have.
Some tips on hills...I usually put the car in neutral and am on the brakes the entire time while stopped. When it's time for you to go, clutch in while still on the brakes, shift to first and quickly move your right foot off of the brake and onto the gas--and give it more gas than you would at a normal stop on a flat surface though, so you don't let the car rock back too much and hit someone behind you.
Another way to do this, is while stopped at the hill, apply the Ebrake. When you are ready to drive, clutch in, shift to first, rev the car up a little, let the clutch out some and then let the ebrake down...that way you get less of that roll back.
Personally the ebrake method would be safest, but most of the time i'm just too lazy to bother with it!
Good Luck, shoot us any more questions you may have.
05-05-2004, 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by JDMxB
I learned to drive a manual transmission in a parking lot of my local target when I was about 19 years old, and it took me about 2 nights to finally get a real good grasp of it--good enough where I was confident enough to take the car on a public roadway at least!
Some tips on hills...I usually put the car in neutral and am on the brakes the entire time while stopped. When it's time for you to go, clutch in while still on the brakes, shift to first and quickly move your right foot off of the brake and onto the gas--and give it more gas than you would at a normal stop on a flat surface though, so you don't let the car rock back too much and hit someone behind you.
Another way to do this, is while stopped at the hill, apply the Ebrake. When you are ready to drive, clutch in, shift to first, rev the car up a little, let the clutch out some and then let the ebrake down...that way you get less of that roll back.
Personally the ebrake method would be safest, but most of the time i'm just too lazy to bother with it!
Good Luck, shoot us any more questions you may have.
Some tips on hills...I usually put the car in neutral and am on the brakes the entire time while stopped. When it's time for you to go, clutch in while still on the brakes, shift to first and quickly move your right foot off of the brake and onto the gas--and give it more gas than you would at a normal stop on a flat surface though, so you don't let the car rock back too much and hit someone behind you.
Another way to do this, is while stopped at the hill, apply the Ebrake. When you are ready to drive, clutch in, shift to first, rev the car up a little, let the clutch out some and then let the ebrake down...that way you get less of that roll back.
Personally the ebrake method would be safest, but most of the time i'm just too lazy to bother with it!
Good Luck, shoot us any more questions you may have.
Andrew
05-05-2004, 05:10 PM
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Congrats on the purchase. Sounds like Miller has turned around there business practices. Good to hear. It doesn't take long to get the hand of a 5 speed. It just takes time to get the technique down. If you have a problem putting it into reverse, then just put it into 2nd and then go to reverse.
05-05-2004, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by ghost
Originally Posted by JDMxB
I learned to drive a manual transmission in a parking lot of my local target when I was about 19 years old, and it took me about 2 nights to finally get a real good grasp of it--good enough where I was confident enough to take the car on a public roadway at least!
Some tips on hills...I usually put the car in neutral and am on the brakes the entire time while stopped. When it's time for you to go, clutch in while still on the brakes, shift to first and quickly move your right foot off of the brake and onto the gas--and give it more gas than you would at a normal stop on a flat surface though, so you don't let the car rock back too much and hit someone behind you.
Another way to do this, is while stopped at the hill, apply the Ebrake. When you are ready to drive, clutch in, shift to first, rev the car up a little, let the clutch out some and then let the ebrake down...that way you get less of that roll back.
Personally the ebrake method would be safest, but most of the time i'm just too lazy to bother with it!
Good Luck, shoot us any more questions you may have.
Some tips on hills...I usually put the car in neutral and am on the brakes the entire time while stopped. When it's time for you to go, clutch in while still on the brakes, shift to first and quickly move your right foot off of the brake and onto the gas--and give it more gas than you would at a normal stop on a flat surface though, so you don't let the car rock back too much and hit someone behind you.
Another way to do this, is while stopped at the hill, apply the Ebrake. When you are ready to drive, clutch in, shift to first, rev the car up a little, let the clutch out some and then let the ebrake down...that way you get less of that roll back.
Personally the ebrake method would be safest, but most of the time i'm just too lazy to bother with it!
Good Luck, shoot us any more questions you may have.
Andrew
I love california, yet at the same time hate it. haha.
05-05-2004, 05:21 PM
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quick tip.. if ur revving above 2,000 RPM, you're reving too high.. teh scions have excellent low end torque (thanks to VVTi) ..
you should honestly be able to start the car rolling (on level ground) without touching the gas..
a good practice is this:
turn on the AC (this keeps rpm levels up near 900/1000RPM without gas pedal application) and then practice starting and stopping without using the gas pedal.. you'll save thousands of miles of clutch this way.
you should honestly be able to start the car rolling (on level ground) without touching the gas..
a good practice is this:
turn on the AC (this keeps rpm levels up near 900/1000RPM without gas pedal application) and then practice starting and stopping without using the gas pedal.. you'll save thousands of miles of clutch this way.
05-05-2004, 05:26 PM
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[quote="CivicEater"]quick tip.. if ur revving above 2,000 RPM, you're reving too high.. teh scions have excellent low end torque (thanks to VVTi) ..
quote]
I have to disagree with that statement, on soooo many levels, hahaha :D
quote]
I have to disagree with that statement, on soooo many levels, hahaha :D
05-05-2004, 06:20 PM
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wow, so many replies in only an hour. thanks for the help guys. Yeah, miller did not let me down. I got $500 more on my trade in than any other dealership in the area offered (including a ford dealership....) The lava should be here this saturday, i hope i dont get sick of the LOUD color. ;)
on a side note, there is a lava xb always parked at Potomac Mills mall (im assuming they work there...as do i.) anyone on the forum?
on a side note, there is a lava xb always parked at Potomac Mills mall (im assuming they work there...as do i.) anyone on the forum?
05-05-2004, 06:35 PM
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Dang, thats like the 4th RS1 that Miller has sold. I bought a 5-speed there and had great service as compared to other dealers in the area. Added incentive from Miller was the coupon booklet that gives you 1 $25 gift certificate and 4 15% off entire purchase coupons that can be used on all over-the-counter parts. Save yourself some money and use these coupons to order the floormats, tail lights, CAI intake or any other accessories you plan on purchasing through the dealer and install them yourself. Their price lists for parts are signifcantly cheaper than the accessories price list (which includes installation labor, what a joke esp. on floormat or cargo covers which requires no labor at all)
Congrats again, maybe I'll see you around!
Congrats again, maybe I'll see you around!
05-05-2004, 06:41 PM
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they sold 3 last week. im assuming your sales consultant was austin...he said he sold all 3. thanks for reminding me about the coupon book. I am ordering the tcy taillights, but i can easily intall those myself.
05-05-2004, 07:00 PM
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ok, here's my tips–
learn on mostly flat areas-- begin in first gear with clutch in.
don't worry about giving it any gas at this point
SLOWLY let the clutch out til you either see your rpms drop just a little bit, or you hear the engine rpm drop, or you feel it start to move
Then apply a little gas as you let the clutch out .
After you master this-- then you just apply the same principle to taking off on hills-- it may take you a while to master this but, I think it's the best way. (E brake is for sissies)
keep this in mind for longer clutch life
When you are stopped, keep the clutch or in neutral. The worst thing you can do is sit in traffic or at a light with clutch engaged just a little
learn on mostly flat areas-- begin in first gear with clutch in.
don't worry about giving it any gas at this point
SLOWLY let the clutch out til you either see your rpms drop just a little bit, or you hear the engine rpm drop, or you feel it start to move
Then apply a little gas as you let the clutch out .
After you master this-- then you just apply the same principle to taking off on hills-- it may take you a while to master this but, I think it's the best way. (E brake is for sissies)
keep this in mind for longer clutch life
When you are stopped, keep the clutch or in neutral. The worst thing you can do is sit in traffic or at a light with clutch engaged just a little
05-05-2004, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Uno1200mob
they sold 3 last week. im assuming your sales consultant was austin...he said he sold all 3. thanks for reminding me about the coupon book. I am ordering the tcy taillights, but i can easily intall those myself.
05-05-2004, 07:34 PM
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Driving a stick isn't difficult. Just practice keeping the RPMs as low as possible while the clutch is slipping. The quicker you can get the clutch engaged and the lower the RPMs of engagement, the longer your clutch will last.
Hills are doable in one of two ways. You can either use the parking brake to hold the car while you get ready to release the clutch, or with a bit more skill, you can operate both the brake and throttle with your right foot, heel on one, and toe on the other.
You can also do the quick swap from brake to throttle, but this will always let you roll backwards a bit, which is harder on clutch and perhaps on your rear bumper and insurance rates.
Practice hill techniques with no traffic. Don't head for San Francisco before you know what you are doing!
George
Hills are doable in one of two ways. You can either use the parking brake to hold the car while you get ready to release the clutch, or with a bit more skill, you can operate both the brake and throttle with your right foot, heel on one, and toe on the other.
You can also do the quick swap from brake to throttle, but this will always let you roll backwards a bit, which is harder on clutch and perhaps on your rear bumper and insurance rates.
Practice hill techniques with no traffic. Don't head for San Francisco before you know what you are doing!
George
05-05-2004, 08:51 PM
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[quote="ochizon"]
not many hondas you can simply let out the clutch on dude..
compare ANY OTHER 1.5, and you'll be amazed at the torque availability of the 1NZFE
Originally Posted by CivicEater
quick tip.. if ur revving above 2,000 RPM, you're reving too high.. teh scions have excellent low end torque (thanks to VVTi) ..
quote]
I have to disagree with that statement, on soooo many levels, hahaha :D
quote]
I have to disagree with that statement, on soooo many levels, hahaha :D
compare ANY OTHER 1.5, and you'll be amazed at the torque availability of the 1NZFE
05-06-2004, 03:48 AM
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As someone that took delivery on their xB just last Friday and didn't really know how to drive stick, let me tell you that you'll be fine. I learned to drive stick on an SRT4 and I have to say the xB is sooooo much easier.
05-06-2004, 04:51 PM
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Don't make it too complicated -- it ain't that hard.
Those who said you don't need the gas to get rolling are right
Do use your parking brake on steep hills, anyway
Two other things:
When stopped, put it in neutral and keep your hand off the shifter and your foot off the clutch.
Likewise, when you are cruising, keep your hand off the shifter and foot off the clutch until you need to shift
Both will help you avoid excessive, unnecessary wear
Enjoy
Those who said you don't need the gas to get rolling are right
Do use your parking brake on steep hills, anyway
Two other things:
When stopped, put it in neutral and keep your hand off the shifter and your foot off the clutch.
Likewise, when you are cruising, keep your hand off the shifter and foot off the clutch until you need to shift
Both will help you avoid excessive, unnecessary wear
Enjoy
05-07-2004, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by wonderchook
As someone that took delivery on their xB just last Friday and didn't really know how to drive stick, let me tell you that you'll be fine. I learned to drive stick on an SRT4 and I have to say the xB is sooooo much easier.