Is my M/T technique ok?

Z-WHIZ · 10-22-2009, 07:57 AM

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.

kannibul · 10-22-2009, 08:35 AM

Sounds about right.

awesomez · 10-22-2009, 10:35 AM

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.

spearfish25 · 10-22-2009, 10:46 AM

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.

josh@z1 · 10-22-2009, 10:58 AM

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.

TX_370 · 10-22-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh@z1

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.

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.

kannibul · 10-22-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX_370

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.

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

HybridFusion · 10-22-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

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.

Yup, either that or before it starts to "bog" just set it to neutral like you're doing right now. Personally, I don't brake with the engine/trans. When downshifting you should think about which gear you will actually need, so you don't downshift through each and every gear; you'll learn that from experience.

Everything else sound OK.

vipor · 10-22-2009, 10:52 AM

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

Pharmacist · 10-22-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

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

enjoy replacing your clutch before your car's first anniversary

vipor · 10-22-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

enjoy replacing your clutch before your car's first anniversary

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

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

Matt · 10-22-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

enjoy replacing your clutch before your car's first anniversary

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.

Pharmacist · 10-22-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

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.

No no I wasn't talking about that. I was referring to his stated habit of holding the car stationary up a slope by revving the engine and slipping the clutch instead of holding it with his brakes. Here is his quote:

Quote:

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

Matt · 10-22-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

No no I wasn't talking about that. I was referring to his stated habit of holding the car stationary up a slope by revving the engine and slipping the clutch instead of holding it with his brakes.

Oh yikes! My bad. Holding your position by riding the clutch is horrible. I have a bad habit on a hill to let myself roll back and forth a few inches to let everyone know I'm driving a stick, but using that full-time to keep you on a hill....yikes!

shabarivas · 10-22-2009, 11:02 AM

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

10-22-2009, 07:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Z-WHIZ Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Philly Posts: 115 Drives: 370 Base Rep Power: 16	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.

10-22-2009, 10:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	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. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

10-22-2009, 10:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
josh@z1 The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Temple Posts: 178 Drives: Non Turbo S Rep Power: 17	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. __________________ Z1 Motorsports will beat any advertised price on Nissan OEM Parts! www.370ZParts.com (770) 838-7777 x303 -- Josh@Z1Motorsports.com -- AOL IM - JoshAtZ1

10-22-2009, 10:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 43 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	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 __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers Last edited by vipor; 10-22-2009 at 10:52 AM. Reason: bad engrish!

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10-22-2009, 08:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 268	Sounds about right.

10-22-2009, 10:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
awesomez Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: VA Posts: 199 Drives: 09 370Z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 17	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.

10-22-2009, 11:02 AM	#15 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 915	lol i downshift at like 3k lol... but i like to waste gas