Is my M/T technique ok?
 

Hey guys, while I've driven manual cars before, the 370 is the first M/T car that I've actually owned. I think I've picked it up pretty well, but I just want to make sure I'm using the right techniques. Here is what I do:

- Start at about 1500 rpm to 1st
- Shift to each subsequent gear once revs reach approx 3000
- Downshift when car starts to bog down, or revs get lower than approx 1500
- When coming up to a red light or stopping, shift to neutral and roll to a stop taking foot off of clutch.

The main thing I'm not sure about is the downshifting / stopping part. I've heard different schools of thought about both. Your help is appreciated guys.

Sounds about right.

I like to let the engine brake. Try downshifting when slowing down before you hit 2k rpm. Like 2-2.5k rpm downshift to next gear. Just something to play with, your method is fine though.

The only suggestion I would make is to not wait for the engine to 'bog' before downshifting. As you're slowing and your revs are dropping, downshift around 2k rpm. You engine will be happier and you'll get the benefits of engine braking.

The 1500rpm start is fine, but I've been shooting for the 1100 mark instead. Really depends on if you're going uphill (go for more rpms then). 1st gear in the Z can be jerky, so just get used to it.

When stuck on a small hill I like to play with my clutch and rock with the music to pass the time. Gets you a better feel for where your engauge point is, but I'm sure it does put unneccessary wear on the clutch.

There have been many times where I just hold the gas and clutch just right to keep the rpms about 1k and not move while on a hill waiting for the cars in front of me to move. Anything to fight the monotony ;)

Breakin' the law
 

In most states it is illegal to have your car in Neutral while on the road. When I was a young Georgia transplant I was heavy into lawbooks (amongst other things) and of course learning to drive.
The rule states your car must be in gear with your foot on the clutch at all times while stopped. Also there are specifics about coasting (car in neutral) at highway speeds which I cant recall at the moment.

lol i downshift at like 3k lol... but i like to waste gas

Shabarivas.. the tree huggers are coming for you...

i dont really pay attention, but i engage 1st gear pretty low 1K+ ish with very little free spin and think i rev 1st to about 3.5K and shift on V6 cars.

cruising rpm is about 2250+

as for down shifts anywhere between 3k-4k rev range in the lower gear use engine braking. any fast turns prep i think i rev past 5k.

been driving MT for a while and all my cars are MT...well, except for the one my wife uses as her dd.

enjoy replacing your clutch before your car's first anniversary

You got any links? I'd really like to know about this because i was taught in driving school (what 8 years ago? something like that) that it is reccommended that your car is put into nuetral at all stops. The idea behind this is that 'if' you were to get hit in the back it wouldnt fuck up your transmission.

hahah yeah maybe. it's been a little A.D.D. habit of mine across many cars. it's not every time though, so maybe i'll get two years out of it :rofl2::rofl2:

maybe i'll just do it more often so i have an excuse to upgrade that brick of a flywheel...

When you downshift and coast to a stop, you actually put your eingine into idle, therefore your vehicle burns more fuel...I usually downshift until I'm almost at a dead stop, to engine brake and to be in gear IN CASE any sudden emergency situation occurs...when you engine brake, the fuel is shut off, and your engine slows down, where as if you put it in neutral, your engine goes into idling mode and needs gas for that...

if you have SRM, use it to your benefit...it's really fun...

I drove my last manual for 40,000 miles and engine-braked 99.9% of the time and never needed to replace the clutch. Hell, I even taught my GF how to drive manual, and she burnt it up a little!

"Engine-braking" or down-shifting is a perfectly acceptable method of braking, and the way I look at it...it's better. It puts me in the position to accelerate out (if the light turns green) or avoid disaster (someone coming behind me not braking).

One group says you'll need to replace the brakes every year, the other group will say you'll replace the clutch every year. I think both groups are over-exaggerating a bit.

Not only that but it also saves wear on the clutch, flywheel, and throwout bearing.