Clutch Release Methods

WAGAWAGA · 07-12-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

What my foot does and what my hands do are completely separate in my head. It's hard to type out if I'm not in the car, but my foot goes into a "ready position" as soon as I put it in gear, which is my heel comes off the floor so it can freely release from the clutch.

Regardless of what gear I'm in, my heel isn't touching the floor while I'm in "shifting mode", whether I'm accelerating from a stop or driving in traffic. If I'm on the highway, my foot will rest to the left of the clutch, obviously on the floor and if I'm at a traffic light that'll be green soon, I may rest my heel on the floor temporarily. Once I'm ready to shift again, up goes my heel slightly as I get ready to shift.

I see that clarifies it. My heel is completely plant when i release the clutch so the clutch slides down my foot. i will need to practice using the whole leg because using the heel planted seems to have its disadvantages.

kenchan · 07-12-2010, 04:51 PM

here's something that'll crack you guys up.

i play piano in my spare time and it has 3 pedals. so i was showing my wife how i can heel/toe the sostenuto (center) pedal with the sustain (right) pedal.

i dont think there's anyone that heel/toe's piano's.

m4a1mustang · 07-12-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

here's something that'll crack you guys up.

i play piano in my spare time and it has 3 pedals. so i was showing my wife how i can heel/toe the sostenuto (center) pedal with the sustain (right) pedal.

i dont think there's anyone that heel/toe's piano's.

rmorrow · 07-12-2010, 06:51 PM

Waga Waga,
I have driven MT's for many years. The 370Z is not the easiest car to shift SMOOTHLY, especially with shifts between 1st and 2nd. The short throw shifter and synchro-rev match help some.
If you are just learning, part of the problem with a tired leg/foot or jumpiness is due to being tense. Shifting a car is muscle memory...after awhile it just happens without really thinking. In fact, you reach a point where you shift by feel, without even looking at the tach. Where you rest your foot or heel, ankle manipulation versus entire leg, etc. is going to result in paralysis by analysis. The key is really how smoothly you can release the clutch while simultaneously engaging the throttle. Starting from a stop and shifting between 1 and 2 is what you need to master. The best suggestion I can offer is to go to a wide open parking lot after hours and practice starting from a stop, and 1st to 2nd over and over. You can feather the clutch pedal as long as you do not ride the clutch pedal, until you start feeling more comfortable. Get used to shifting and then dropping your left foot on the floor or on the dead pedal, clear of the clutch. Even the best operators shift poorly (not as smoothly) at times. We all work on perfecting our shifts to get as smooth as possible. With the 370Z, especially 1 to 2...it is always practice to perfect. That is per-FECT.

Trips · 07-12-2010, 06:55 PM

Pactice Practice Practice and more Practice.

WAGAWAGA · 07-12-2010, 07:31 PM

ahha thx a lot rmorrow, that is what im doing, but i definitely need more practice

rmorrow · 07-12-2010, 07:48 PM

Exactly right. Everyone has their own method/style, and stop and go traffic will wear your leg out, regardless of how relaxed you are. I can still remember my tension and anxiety when I was the first car at the stoplight. I hated being honked at, so I was really nervous about getting started in a timely and smooth manner. It is really embarrassing to stall with folks waiting behind you. Just keep practicing and you will get comfortable and proficient.

Kyle@STILLEN · 07-12-2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorrow

Exactly right. Everyone has their own method/style, and stop and go traffic will wear your leg out, regardless of how relaxed you are. I can still remember my tension and anxiety when I was the first car at the stoplight. I hated being honked at, so I was really nervous about getting started in a timely and smooth manner. It is really embarrassing to stall with folks waiting behind you. Just keep practicing and you will get comfortable and proficient.

I HATED that feeling when I first started out! I hated sitting at the stop light just waiting and by the time the light turned green I would psych myself out and probably stall because of my own nerves!

And keep in mind, every one stalls every now and then! I learned how to drive manual when I was 13 in one of our supercharged Maxima's and I've driven everything from 150 horsepower cars to 600+ wheel horsepower Ford GT's and I still accidentally stall something as low power as a Kia Soul every now and then...It happens...Don't get frustrated with yourself or hard on yourself...I've even been in the car with Steve when he stalls...No one is perfect!

Whenever I teach any of my friends to drive manual I always take them to an empty parking lot and tell them to simply focus on starting from a dead stop to a full release of the clutch and cruise through first...do that a couple dozen times. Then go from 1st to second a couple dozen times until you get rid of the kangaroo juice, then go from second to third a dozen times...after that you should be fine! I've taught a lot of my friends to drive manual cars this way. Give yourself a couple hours in an empty parking lot.

SkyZ · 07-12-2010, 08:06 PM

very good advice on this =]. if i might add its a matter of preference. I used to do what you did (keep my heel on the floor) with the BRAKE pedal. u know pivot between gas and brake, but recently i switched to moving my whole leg on the brake, instead of just pivoting. felt weird at first but got used to it. anyways point of the story, u'll get used to it. nothing feels natural at first. like riding a bike ^^

hdskull · 07-12-2010, 08:06 PM

I feel you bro, I'm actually in the exact same situation. My car now has 260 miles on it.

There's actually a thread on this forum that talks about shifting from 1st to 2nd:
Shifting 1st to 2nd

I found this car much harder to drive compared to my friend's MK4 GTI.

I wish there was a 370z owner near me that can give me some tips.

Matt · 07-12-2010, 08:09 PM

Haha Kyle @ "kangaroo juice"! +1

rmorrow · 07-12-2010, 08:13 PM

I wasn't going to admit it...but I have stalled my Z once since I got it...first in line at the stop light...behind a dude on a Harley...ugly picture

That might be an interesting thread...unless it is already posted somewhere...how many have stalled their Z's and how often has it happened...
Did you hear that Waga Waga...it has happened to many of us...maybe all of us.

Matt · 07-12-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorrow

I wasn't going to admit it...but I have stalled my Z once since I got it...first in line at the stop light...behind a dude on a Harley...ugly picture

That might be an interesting thread...unless it is already posted somewhere...how many have stalled their Z's and how often has it happened...
Did you hear that Waga Waga...it has happened to many of us...maybe all of us.

I haven't stalled yet, but the 3 different people that I let drive the car have. It's like a curse! They ask to drive it, start it up, and stall when they try to take off. Nerves, I guess.

TreeSemdyZee · 07-12-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorrow

I wasn't going to admit it...but I have stalled my Z once since I got it...first in line at the stop light...behind a dude on a Harley...ugly picture

That might be an interesting thread...unless it is already posted somewhere...how many have stalled their Z's and how often has it happened...
Did you hear that Waga Waga...it has happened to many of us...maybe all of us.

I stalled my 350 AND my 370 on the test drives and I've been driving stick for 30 years.

steveg78 · 07-12-2010, 09:42 PM

Good info in this thread. I think one of the other things to keep in mind is when people say it just takes time I think it includes learning the throttle response of the 370. I had manuals before but after a 7yr hiatus I felt like I was starting all over again when I got my 370. I knew the fundamentals and found the sweet spot pretty fast. But learning how much gas to give and being able to retain the muscle memory in your right leg so that you could apply the correct amount of gas took time. You just gotta keep driving and paying attention to what you're doing. If you are simply driving around buckin' n stallin' and not understanding what you're doing wrong then it's going to take you longer to get it right. Have fun!

07-12-2010, 06:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,733 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Pactice Practice Practice and more Practice. __________________

07-12-2010, 08:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	Haha Kyle @ "kangaroo juice"! +1 __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

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07-12-2010, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	here's something that'll crack you guys up. i play piano in my spare time and it has 3 pedals. so i was showing my wife how i can heel/toe the sostenuto (center) pedal with the sustain (right) pedal. i dont think there's anyone that heel/toe's piano's.

07-12-2010, 06:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
rmorrow Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 79 Drives: 2010 370z Sports MT Rep Power: 15	Waga Waga, I have driven MT's for many years. The 370Z is not the easiest car to shift SMOOTHLY, especially with shifts between 1st and 2nd. The short throw shifter and synchro-rev match help some. If you are just learning, part of the problem with a tired leg/foot or jumpiness is due to being tense. Shifting a car is muscle memory...after awhile it just happens without really thinking. In fact, you reach a point where you shift by feel, without even looking at the tach. Where you rest your foot or heel, ankle manipulation versus entire leg, etc. is going to result in paralysis by analysis. The key is really how smoothly you can release the clutch while simultaneously engaging the throttle. Starting from a stop and shifting between 1 and 2 is what you need to master. The best suggestion I can offer is to go to a wide open parking lot after hours and practice starting from a stop, and 1st to 2nd over and over. You can feather the clutch pedal as long as you do not ride the clutch pedal, until you start feeling more comfortable. Get used to shifting and then dropping your left foot on the floor or on the dead pedal, clear of the clutch. Even the best operators shift poorly (not as smoothly) at times. We all work on perfecting our shifts to get as smooth as possible. With the 370Z, especially 1 to 2...it is always practice to perfect. That is per-FECT.

07-12-2010, 07:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
WAGAWAGA Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: riverside Posts: 155 Drives: 2010 370z Black Rep Power: 16	ahha thx a lot rmorrow, that is what im doing, but i definitely need more practice

07-12-2010, 07:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
rmorrow Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 79 Drives: 2010 370z Sports MT Rep Power: 15	Exactly right. Everyone has their own method/style, and stop and go traffic will wear your leg out, regardless of how relaxed you are. I can still remember my tension and anxiety when I was the first car at the stoplight. I hated being honked at, so I was really nervous about getting started in a timely and smooth manner. It is really embarrassing to stall with folks waiting behind you. Just keep practicing and you will get comfortable and proficient.

07-12-2010, 08:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
SkyZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 382 Drives: 09 370z PG M6 Rep Power: 16	very good advice on this =]. if i might add its a matter of preference. I used to do what you did (keep my heel on the floor) with the BRAKE pedal. u know pivot between gas and brake, but recently i switched to moving my whole leg on the brake, instead of just pivoting. felt weird at first but got used to it. anyways point of the story, u'll get used to it. nothing feels natural at first. like riding a bike ^^

07-12-2010, 08:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
hdskull Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 680 Drives: '10 Black 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 17	I feel you bro, I'm actually in the exact same situation. My car now has 260 miles on it. There's actually a thread on this forum that talks about shifting from 1st to 2nd: Shifting 1st to 2nd I found this car much harder to drive compared to my friend's MK4 GTI. I wish there was a 370z owner near me that can give me some tips.

07-12-2010, 08:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
rmorrow Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 79 Drives: 2010 370z Sports MT Rep Power: 15	I wasn't going to admit it...but I have stalled my Z once since I got it...first in line at the stop light...behind a dude on a Harley...ugly picture That might be an interesting thread...unless it is already posted somewhere...how many have stalled their Z's and how often has it happened... Did you hear that Waga Waga...it has happened to many of us...maybe all of us.

07-12-2010, 09:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
steveg78 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MD Posts: 569 Drives: 09 370Z PG M6 +Sport Rep Power: 18	Good info in this thread. I think one of the other things to keep in mind is when people say it just takes time I think it includes learning the throttle response of the 370. I had manuals before but after a 7yr hiatus I felt like I was starting all over again when I got my 370. I knew the fundamentals and found the sweet spot pretty fast. But learning how much gas to give and being able to retain the muscle memory in your right leg so that you could apply the correct amount of gas took time. You just gotta keep driving and paying attention to what you're doing. If you are simply driving around buckin' n stallin' and not understanding what you're doing wrong then it's going to take you longer to get it right. Have fun!