How to drive a manual Z smoothly?

Forrest · 02-25-2010, 05:54 AM

first to second you cant let go of the clutch quickly. second to third, up to 6th you can quickly let off the clutch.

Slynky · 02-25-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

first to second you cant let go of the clutch quickly. second to third, up to 6th you can quickly let off the clutch.

Just read your post and I'd say that's one of the same things I've noticed. Most cars I've driven, you can pretty much let the clutch out fast on the shift to 2nd (and giving gas). But not the Z. You still have to feather / tease it out. Mind you, I have a Nissan truck and it's not like this so it's not necessarily a Nissan problem.

dbrs0821 · 02-25-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slynky

Just read your post and I'd say that's one of the same things I've noticed. Most cars I've driven, you can pretty much let the clutch out fast on the shift to 2nd (and giving gas). But not the Z. You still have to feather / tease it out. Mind you, I have a Nissan truck and it's not like this so it's not necessarily a Nissan problem.

This is gonna sound weird...but, I had the same exact problem when I got mine back in December. In fact, I think I posted something about it. Anyway, while it's certainly gotten better, I think the other thing that really helped me out was adjusting my seat to a different position, which changed where my feet were at. Silly as it sounds, it actually helped my shifting to be more fluid.

I moved the seat forward just a bit and raised the back of the seat so it's not quite as reclined. I now have no issues...I knew the whole time it was probably my "fault", but this just confirmed it for me.

Forrest · 02-25-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slynky

Just read your post and I'd say that's one of the same things I've noticed. Most cars I've driven, you can pretty much let the clutch out fast on the shift to 2nd (and giving gas). But not the Z. You still have to feather / tease it out. Mind you, I have a Nissan truck and it's not like this so it's not necessarily a Nissan problem.

your exactly right i end up feather/tease it until it feels right.

Slynky · 02-25-2010, 06:38 AM

I'd have to say this is one of the worst driving MTs / clutches for me. Like any car I've ever driven or changed to, the clutch is always a bit different but by the time I had driven it enough to clutch 20-30 times, it all became mechanical (in the back of my mind) afterwards. But this car...ummm...been driving it a bit over a month and about 500 miles and still getting surprised by the clutch / shifting from time-to-time.

blackflag · 02-25-2010, 12:24 PM

Driving a stick properly is a skill. Some cars are harder than others...I actually find the German cars easier than most Japanese cars...But I love the clutch on the Z. It's right up my alley - feels perfect. I haven't had any clunks or anything.

I love manual trans.

tonybui · 02-26-2010, 02:21 PM

Shifting into 2nd gear, I feel like there is something stuck in there that I can't just pull straight down from 1st. Anyone experiences that?

IDZRVIT · 02-26-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

Shifting into 2nd gear, I feel like there is something stuck in there that I can't just pull straight down from 1st. Anyone experiences that?

Nope. But I have the Canadian model so it must be different.

NCSUPACK09 · 02-26-2010, 03:01 PM

I've notice that when the car is still cold, putting it into 1st gear at a stop is really difficult to get through the gate. Once the car warms up, its like butter. Anyone else experience this?

Slynky · 02-26-2010, 03:32 PM

Mine hardly ever shifts smooth, most especially if it's cold. And the pull on the thing, jeez ! It's like someone is underneath holding the shifter so it's hard to move around.

tonybui · 02-26-2010, 03:54 PM

It's like 35 degree right now but the 40mph wind makes it a very cold day today. Maybe that's the problem.

NCSUPACK09 · 02-26-2010, 07:23 PM

^^ Yeah that sounds like what happens to me...not a complete stop but very very slow and its really hard to throw into first.

kevr6 · 02-26-2010, 10:44 PM

I will say this, I'd rather drive a tough to drive manual then an automatic any day!!!
Even in Grid lock, rush hour, traffic!!

drisko · 02-26-2010, 10:55 PM

One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure.

Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).

AutoX Z · 02-27-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drisko

One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure.

Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).

Please don't do this. Even putting slight pressure on the knob like that while in gear can cause excessive wear in the synchros. Just take your time when shifting with cold trans fluid and give the car time to make the shift.

02-25-2010, 05:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 259	first to second you cant let go of the clutch quickly. second to third, up to 6th you can quickly let off the clutch. __________________ my pictures http://www.the370z.com/members/forrest-albums-370z.html

02-25-2010, 06:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Slynky Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 595 Drives: 2010 Red 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 17	I'd have to say this is one of the worst driving MTs / clutches for me. Like any car I've ever driven or changed to, the clutch is always a bit different but by the time I had driven it enough to clutch 20-30 times, it all became mechanical (in the back of my mind) afterwards. But this car...ummm...been driving it a bit over a month and about 500 miles and still getting surprised by the clutch / shifting from time-to-time. __________________ A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

02-26-2010, 03:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Slynky Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 595 Drives: 2010 Red 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 17	Mine hardly ever shifts smooth, most especially if it's cold. And the pull on the thing, jeez ! It's like someone is underneath holding the shifter so it's hard to move around. __________________ A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

02-26-2010, 10:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
kevr6 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: N.W. Atlanta Posts: 1,515 Drives: '09 Graphite 370Z 6M Rep Power: 667	I will say this, I'd rather drive a tough to drive manual then an automatic any day!!! Even in Grid lock, rush hour, traffic!! __________________ *Beware...* Daily Sliding In My ZLED!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread	theDreamer	Engine & Drivetrain	1886	04-01-2019 05:48 PM
NO Owners Manual!!!	StillenZ	Nissan 370Z Owners Manual / Service Manuals	27	10-13-2010 05:28 PM
Manual or Automatic - What do you have?	Zdom	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	46	02-02-2010 07:52 PM
manual question.	Forrest	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	52	03-26-2009 10:51 PM
I've never driven Manual	Devil Z	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	32	02-16-2009 09:06 PM

02-25-2010, 12:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
blackflag Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: US Posts: 121 Drives: 2009 Z 6M base. Rep Power: 16	Driving a stick properly is a skill. Some cars are harder than others...I actually find the German cars easier than most Japanese cars...But I love the clutch on the Z. It's right up my alley - feels perfect. I haven't had any clunks or anything. I love manual trans.

02-26-2010, 02:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
tonybui A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,397 Drives: 09 Sports 6 Speed Rep Power: 428	Shifting into 2nd gear, I feel like there is something stuck in there that I can't just pull straight down from 1st. Anyone experiences that?

02-26-2010, 03:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
NCSUPACK09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Somewhere Posts: 407 Drives: '10 370Z MB 6MT SP Rep Power: 16	I've notice that when the car is still cold, putting it into 1st gear at a stop is really difficult to get through the gate. Once the car warms up, its like butter. Anyone else experience this?

02-26-2010, 03:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
tonybui A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,397 Drives: 09 Sports 6 Speed Rep Power: 428	It's like 35 degree right now but the 40mph wind makes it a very cold day today. Maybe that's the problem.

02-26-2010, 07:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
NCSUPACK09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Somewhere Posts: 407 Drives: '10 370Z MB 6MT SP Rep Power: 16	^^ Yeah that sounds like what happens to me...not a complete stop but very very slow and its really hard to throw into first.

02-26-2010, 10:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
drisko Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Age: 44 Posts: 160 Drives: 09 370Z PW Tour S 6M Rep Power: 17	One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure. Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).