You have to think, as much as you let off the clutch let off the gas does that make sense?

2,000 RPMS I think or even 1,800 is the perfect RPM to let go of the clutch, now when I say let go dont think "Drop" the clutch cause that will almost give you a mini burn out, and or kill your car.

So remember give enough force letting off the clutch as much gas as you give into it, and remember RELAX when driving a stick

When it jerks back and forth that means its either your letting the clutch out too quick aka dumping the clutch or not giving enough gas... clutch you'll smell if your giving it to much gas why the clutch is still depressed.

I made it to work without stalling. I've gone stall free for 1 complete day! The clutch petal is still so grabby. I'm at 400miles now and still cant get the petal to be less 'springy'. It seems to wanna spring back on me when i push it down...modulating it is still proving tough. Will the petal eventually soften or will i have to get used to this?

I don't feel like my pedal fights up against me when I'm driving. But that might be because I started learning on a 78 Porsche with the clutch on a cable. The force pushing back at you was pretty heavy. But the clutch should break in as time goes on. So I wouldn't worry too much.

Ok. I'll give it some work on the way home from the office today.

You're not supposed to "ride" the clutch, as in, keeping the car in gear but the clutch pushed in to keep the engine disengauged.

But, a lot of people do it, and it tends to not cause any major issues.

So, in other words, don't do it, try and get into the habit of dropping out of 1st gear into neutral when you don't need to move the car under power...and release the clutch so there's no pressure on the bearing and so on.


But, if you don't, it's not the end of the world - just like washing your car is a good idea...

Don't remind me I need to wash my baby boo. :ugh2:

I think I'm screwing up. I get caught in alot of stop-and-go traffic and right now I'm keeping the car in first and letting the clutch in about half way to get it rolling and then disengaging the clutch fully by putting the petal to the floor.

If i don't do it this way...then how do I deal with stop and go traffic? I can't just leave the car in first because if i come to a stop I'll stall out. I also dont seem to travel far enough to want to engage the clutch fully (example: I need to move about 5-10ft before i have to stop again).

Should I instead go ahead and engage the clutch fully and then just throw the car back into neutral? :confused:

Half is fine, just when you push the clutch to the floor again, drop it in neutral and roll and let the clutch back out.

"By the book" that's what you're supposed to do, but, most people do as you do.

The other option ticks off all the automatic users, but, just leave it in first and idle, even if traffic opens up a bit. Kind of like how semi's do in traffic - they're doing it for the same reason - saves wear on the clutch and throwout bearing.

Ok. I'll try putting it in neutral from now on. I don't want to do anything to damage my baby lol.

I'm pleased to say I'm gettin quite good at driving a stick now. I think I'm at about 75% as good as i could be. Yay for not burning the clutch! :happydance:

my z is my first standard car, and I ran into all the same things you have been talking about, just practice and all's good.