OMG!!! I'm a Blaze Orange Fit Owner!! 5/22
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 545
From: U.S.A. PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Originally Posted by Bukwheat
If there's one thing you need when learning to drive a manual, it's "patiencne". 
1st gear and Reverse are always the hardest, therefore, needs to be taken slowly. The rest of the gears are easy casue you're already in motion. Here's my simple tutorial that nearly fool proof (no pun intended):
-at a complete stop (of course), make sure you're in neutral and press the clutch. For a beginner, you're better off pressing the clutch completely rather than at the "sweet" spot.
-while the clutch is being pressed, go to 1st gear (or Reverse if you're backing up).
-slowly add some pressure to the gas pedal, but only until you can hear the engine rev slightly. Hold the gas pedal at that spot. If you can't hear the engine rev, just look at your RPM tach (about 500rpms is all you'll need)
-slowly release the clutch and the car will slowly start to move, but only at the speed at which you're holding with your gas pedal (hence the "hold")....of which should be equivilant to an AT rolling on 'D' without any gas. Once in motion and your clutch is completely released, you can then slowly add more pressure on the gas pedal and your off!
1st gear and Reverse are always the hardest, therefore, needs to be taken slowly. The rest of the gears are easy casue you're already in motion. Here's my simple tutorial that nearly fool proof (no pun intended):
-at a complete stop (of course), make sure you're in neutral and press the clutch. For a beginner, you're better off pressing the clutch completely rather than at the "sweet" spot.
-while the clutch is being pressed, go to 1st gear (or Reverse if you're backing up).
-slowly add some pressure to the gas pedal, but only until you can hear the engine rev slightly. Hold the gas pedal at that spot. If you can't hear the engine rev, just look at your RPM tach (about 500rpms is all you'll need)
-slowly release the clutch and the car will slowly start to move, but only at the speed at which you're holding with your gas pedal (hence the "hold")....of which should be equivilant to an AT rolling on 'D' without any gas. Once in motion and your clutch is completely released, you can then slowly add more pressure on the gas pedal and your off!
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 152
From: Houston, TX
I mentioned 'patience' cause everyone rushes 1st gear...probably more so because of fear. The important thing is to take it slow and it'll be easy as pie.
The "sweet spot" is where you start to use a bit more pressure when pressing the clutch pedal. Usually, right when you press on your clutch pedal, you'll feel this tiny gap before your foot sences that it needs to add a bit more pressure. The 'gap' is basically the clutch cable tightening up, getting ready to pull on the clutch. The tightness after the 'gap' is the "sweet spot" cause your clutch is engaged at that point, so you don't have to press down on the clutch pedal completely to change gears after 1st....or even at 1st, when you get better at it.
The important thing is to take it slow and it'll be easy as pie.The "sweet spot" is where you start to use a bit more pressure when pressing the clutch pedal. Usually, right when you press on your clutch pedal, you'll feel this tiny gap before your foot sences that it needs to add a bit more pressure. The 'gap' is basically the clutch cable tightening up, getting ready to pull on the clutch. The tightness after the 'gap' is the "sweet spot" cause your clutch is engaged at that point, so you don't have to press down on the clutch pedal completely to change gears after 1st....or even at 1st, when you get better at it.
Last edited by Bukwheat; May 23, 2006 at 12:45 AM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 152
From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by Bukwheat
The "sweet spot" is where you start to use a bit more pressure when pressing the clutch pedal. Usually, right when you press on your clutch pedal, you'll feel this tiny gap before your foot sences that it needs to add a bit more pressure. The 'gap' is basically the clutch cable tightening up, getting ready to pull on the clutch. The tightness after the 'gap' is the "sweet spot" cause your clutch is engaged at that point, so you don't have to press down on the clutch pedal completely to change gears after 1st....or even at 1st, when you get better at it.
New Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23
From: Tampa Fl
When I was 16, my then boyfriend/now husband, taught me on a then 1966 Chevy Malibu. One week later, I took my road test on it. Of course I was 16, and am now 55 and haven't driven a stick since David's 1969 Malibu SS. That was until my Fit test drive. OMG,what have I done, all these years forsakeing the MT for AT????? Just like riding a bike, you never forget. That sweet Orange color is a natural for my state Florida!!!!!! Anywho, ballsy move, but you will LOVE a MT. You go girl!!
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 173
From: USA
Originally Posted by Karyn
Some reading that might help
http://www.hints-n-tips.com/kylearticle8.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_3234_drive-car-with.html
http://www.hints-n-tips.com/kylearticle8.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_3234_drive-car-with.html
Work on slowly letting the clutch pedal out until you can get the vehicle to move forward at a couple miles per hour in 1st gear without touching the accelerator. If the vehicle stalls, it is no big deal. Just push the clutch pedal in, and restart the engine.
You know, I've never actually tried that one after 17 years of driving a stick. I always give it a tiny bit of gas in 1st.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 96
From: MO
Lynda, I've never been called "ballsy" before; thanks for the laugh before I head out in a few for lesson #2.
Wish me luck, guys; I've been second-guessing myself a bit this morning and wondering if I made a huge mistake. Hopefully this session will be a reassurance and not the opposite!
Wish me luck, guys; I've been second-guessing myself a bit this morning and wondering if I made a huge mistake. Hopefully this session will be a reassurance and not the opposite!
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 188
From: Sactown
Originally Posted by Mazee
Yeah, that clutch is a bear, plus for some reason I'm having a problem getting to third gear! I kept finding fifth instead!
The best way that i learned (and of course we're all different) was to always find neutral and go up from there. I would always go straight into fifth before I learned that little tidbit. Good luck and congrats!
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 96
From: MO
Well, I certainly didn't feel ready for it, but my teacher made me go straight out on the roads today!! 
I was a wreck for the first 25 minutes, but FINALLY the last 10 or 15 min. I started to "get it" and do most everything naturally and without having to be told.
He wanted me to go ahead and take her home today, but I insisted on one more lesson tomorrow. No freaking way did I feel ready after two short lessons to be on my own yet.
I'm feeling a bit more confident today, so hopefully by the end of my session tomorrow I'll feel ready to claim my beauty. lol
I was a wreck for the first 25 minutes, but FINALLY the last 10 or 15 min. I started to "get it" and do most everything naturally and without having to be told.
He wanted me to go ahead and take her home today, but I insisted on one more lesson tomorrow. No freaking way did I feel ready after two short lessons to be on my own yet.
I'm feeling a bit more confident today, so hopefully by the end of my session tomorrow I'll feel ready to claim my beauty. lol
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,194
From: Pasadena, SoCal
congrats! You should honestly take the car and just drive it around. The best practice is behind the wheel time. You will build up more confidence that way. After a while it will all become second nature and you'll be heel-toe'ing all the way home!
:P
:P
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 71
From: USA
Originally Posted by Mazee
Well, I certainly didn't feel ready for it, but my teacher made me go straight out on the roads today!!
I was a wreck for the first 25 minutes, but FINALLY the last 10 or 15 min. I started to "get it" and do most everything naturally and without having to be told.
He wanted me to go ahead and take her home today, but I insisted on one more lesson tomorrow. No freaking way did I feel ready after two short lessons to be on my own yet.
I'm feeling a bit more confident today, so hopefully by the end of my session tomorrow I'll feel ready to claim my beauty. lol
I was a wreck for the first 25 minutes, but FINALLY the last 10 or 15 min. I started to "get it" and do most everything naturally and without having to be told.
He wanted me to go ahead and take her home today, but I insisted on one more lesson tomorrow. No freaking way did I feel ready after two short lessons to be on my own yet.
I'm feeling a bit more confident today, so hopefully by the end of my session tomorrow I'll feel ready to claim my beauty. lol
.........also if you have trouble getting it in reverse ever, take your foot off the clutch completely and press on the clutch again. Sometimes MTs are funny like that at least our truck is.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 271
From: Quebec, Canada
Will get my first M\T friday. I drove my friends manual cars 2 or 3 times
on small streets (never passed the 3rd speed)... Feeling a bit nervous but
with all the good advices I read on the forum, I'm shure I will make it.
By the way, the Fit clutch is so light, I drove the Mazda 3 and it was
way harder to press on it... feeling heavy and/or notchy ?!!
Small Honda engine + blue Sport trim Fit = M/T
Philippe
on small streets (never passed the 3rd speed)... Feeling a bit nervous but
with all the good advices I read on the forum, I'm shure I will make it.
By the way, the Fit clutch is so light, I drove the Mazda 3 and it was
way harder to press on it... feeling heavy and/or notchy ?!!
Small Honda engine + blue Sport trim Fit = M/T
Philippe
Last edited by phil_qc; May 23, 2006 at 07:59 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 96
From: MO
You guys are cracking me up!!!!!!! lmao and thanks for all the advice and encouragement!! GoFit, I think I'll probably pass on the bike, unless it's the non-motorized kind. I used to ride my 18-speed 30-40 miles at a time about six years ago. Am hoping to get back at it again one of these days.
I went for a "joy ride" in my Corsica this afternoon just to see if I could remember what I should be doing in my Fit at all times. I'm sure I spaced it a few times, but for the most part I could remember, Wooo Hooooo!!
Now I mainly just need practice in reverse, and starting from a dead stop without killing the engine (that happened a few times today.
)
Supposed to bring my beauty home tomorrow.
Less than three days to go for you, Phillippe!
I went for a "joy ride" in my Corsica this afternoon just to see if I could remember what I should be doing in my Fit at all times. I'm sure I spaced it a few times, but for the most part I could remember, Wooo Hooooo!!
Now I mainly just need practice in reverse, and starting from a dead stop without killing the engine (that happened a few times today.
)Supposed to bring my beauty home tomorrow.
Less than three days to go for you, Phillippe!
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 96
From: MO
Originally Posted by Karyn
You should drive a MT at least once in your life. It was a hard decision for me because the MT in the Fit felt so very nice. You'll love it once you get the hang of it. I drove a Toyota truck we had for a number of years and really developed a strong preference for the MT, but the paddles were too fun to resist in the Fit. If my only choice was the regular auto in the Fit with no paddles, there is now way I would have chosen it over the MT. I still miss the MT. We might have to buy both versions .
.Lesson #3 is under my belt; we practiced stopping and starting a lot, and pulling in and backing out. I still killed the engine more times than I like, but my teacher claims I'm doing great and should have it down pretty good by tomorrow. Since they didn't get the tinting done and I have to leave it there one more night he offered to go out with me for one final run tomorrow, so I'm pretty happy about that. I should feel confident enough to tackle it on my own after that fourth lesson (please God, lol).