First 6MT. Questions on driving stick...

bigdog1250

It's important to note that all clutchs will be a bit different, usually with the same car they should catch in around the same spot, but that isn't a for sure thing. A car with 6k miles even driven hard should not be showing any negative clutch signs, so you don't have to worry about that. As for hill starts... I've lived in San Francisco for many years and learned how to drive stick here. Getting into the friction zone of the clutch right before a green light is totally fine. The handbrake trick is for rookies, when you get good, you can be depressing the clutch and brake, slightly let the clutch out while doing a heel-toe action onto the gas and you will have a very smooth, no roll back start.

Way to go with the 6spd!

*If you understand this simple point about a clutch, you should be able to answer all your own questions.... When the clutch is depressed, the power is disconnected, doesn't matter what gear you're in, once let out it slowly begins to make contact (friction) until it is fully engaged.

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350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3