(Manual noob) Had a little trouble starting in 1st gear at test drive

MightyBobo · 07-25-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

MightyBobo, where do I send in my Western Union info? Disclaimer, I might deliberately smoke the tires on your buddy's old car especially if he has the old American Muscle car

I accept cold cash in the mail too

Read post I just made. Trust me, we bet a LOT of people dude. All in fun of course. Nobody ever did it.

mayday813 · 07-25-2011, 10:13 PM

Although mentioned in numerous posts, the friction point of the Z's clutch is very high. I've been driving manual transmission coupes and sedans for over twenty years in daily drivers and it took me several weeks to get used to the release point on the Z to obtain a smooth launch from first gear. Once you get used to it, the clutch and transmission are very smooth.

Cmike2780 · 07-25-2011, 10:22 PM

I learned to drive stick on the Z. Very tricky compared to other manuals I've driven since. The transmission isn't exactly super smooth in the lower gears, so having a clutch that has a relatively high engagement point can be frustrating. There's no trick to get around it. You just need to practice and get use to it. It took me a few weeks to shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly in this car....and I still encounter "shift shock" every once in a while.

ImportConvert · 07-26-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

I learned manual on a beater Ford Taurus and while I know the basics, I'm definitely still a novice on manual trans (been driving auto since I learned to drive). The only reason I'm learning is because I want my Z to have manual. So after I learned the ropes I went and test drove a manual Z34. I figured it would be much different than the Ford and my suspicions were correct. Overall I didn't have too hard of a time but my biggest problem was first gear starts. Basically, I couldn't start smoothly every time, I was getting bucking/jerking when letting out the clutch. It was particularly hard because my shoes were wet from the rain and my foot was slipping all over the place but really it's just my lack of manual experience and what to do in those situations. I never actually stalled the car but did have a tough time on the first gear starts. I was hoping you guys could give me advice specific to the 370z (or manual cars in general) so that on my next test drive I can fix this issue and not embarrass myself as much. Any help is appreciated!

I have trouble driving manual 370Z's smoothly (on the few test-drives I went on). I know other people that do, too (owners, even). Have driven stick for a decent part of my short life and never had an issue before. Ford, by FAR has the best feeling clutches. Nothing is wrong with you, or the Nissan, you just need to learn it's feel better as it is different. Once you get it, you will be fine, if you invest the time to learn it.

That being said, I disagree with the comments about smoothness lacking in the 370Z's shifting. Then, I have owned F-bodies, a mustang, and a Z06. All of which had Tremec's of one breed or another in the tunnel. However, I loved the 370Z's shifting characteristics. Just not the clutch.

V8Killer · 07-26-2011, 01:32 AM

He'll man just keep at it. Everytime I get back from overseas that first week is the roughest obeying traffic laws, watching my speed and trying to get the feel of the clutch again. When I'm first home I always stall in reverse lol but once I'm driving for a bit everything is good.

bluenoser · 07-26-2011, 02:25 AM

I found the 370Z clutch tricky to get used to as well. I had an '08 Civic Si before and the clutch / transmission in that car was crazy smooth. I'm fine with the Z's setup now and I'm certainly not complaining but it couldn't be more different from the Si. I've only ever owned manual cars but once you get used to a setup it's hard to just switch over. The Z doesn't like to be driven like it's a Civic btw... it took me a few days to get rid of that driveline shudder with the clutch at low speed.

poorazn · 07-26-2011, 07:53 AM

OP, like everyone said clutch release points vary per car and so does the "gas resistance".

Here's my advice. Dont try to 'move' the car the first time you press the clutch/gas! I do this just before driving any new manual. 1) Put in N. Left foot on brake. Right foot TAP the gas to get feel of the needed pressure to get it rev some. (I'm not talking FLOOR it. Its a light press as if you were about to start moving) 2) Still in N. Right foot brake. Put in first. SLOWLY lift left foot till you feel where the engagement point is. You wont stall cause you depress clutch when you feel the spot.

3) You just trained your gas foot and clutch foot. Now drive out of there.

Vaughanabe13 · 07-26-2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorazn

OP, like everyone said clutch release points vary per car and so does the "gas resistance".

Here's my advice. Dont try to 'move' the car the first time you press the clutch/gas! I do this just before driving any new manual. 1) Put in N. Left foot on brake. Right foot TAP the gas to get feel of the needed pressure to get it rev some. (I'm not talking FLOOR it. Its a light press as if you were about to start moving) 2) Still in N. Right foot brake. Put in first. SLOWLY lift left foot till you feel where the engagement point is. You wont stall cause you depress clutch when you feel the spot.

3) You just trained your gas foot and clutch foot. Now drive out of there.

This is good advice and I've seen this before. I was feeling pretty rushed during the test drive but on my next one I'll be sure to do this first.

bflosabre91 · 07-26-2011, 08:27 AM

i learned to drive a manual on my z and it took a while to get used to it. the point where the clutch engages is pretty high so that will take a little to get used to. I test drove a mustang GT a couple weeks ago and i felt like it was impossible to stall. it was almost too easy. so idk what makes the Z more difficult but you will get used to it once you get a feel for it.

Nick911sc · 07-26-2011, 08:56 AM

As "difficult" as our Z's seem to be to drive, it always made me feel good to drive it again after I originally learned in my dads '78 911sc targa. That ******* cable clutch feels like it snaps your leg off compared to the Z lol

Vaughanabe13 · 08-01-2011, 11:28 AM

I have a question. When you are reversing, do you typically just let the clutch engage part way and use that motion to complete the reverse maneuver? Do you add gas at all or just use the manipulation of the clutch? Do you ever let the clutch fully engage? I tried letting the clutch fully engage once and the car started bucking like crazy, even as I was giving a little bit of gas. Perhaps I wasn't giving enough gas, or it's a bad thing to let the clutch all the way out in reverse? I just want to make sure I'm doing my reverse procedure correctly and not excessively wearing the clutch. Thoughts?

Also, what do you do in the situation where you need to stop at a stop sign and then move a few feet forward in order to get a better view? Do you just fully stop and then put it in first and let the clutch slip with no gas?

Also, if you're doing a "rolling stop" where you slow way down but don't stop, say behind cars at a light that just turned green or while you're in a parking lot - do you put it into first or second? I tried taking off from second one time and I must have been going too slow or something because the car didn't seem to like it and bucked a little bit.

When you press the clutch in to disengage, do you hear any noises at all, mechanically speaking? I don't hear anything with the windows up but when I have the windows down and sound off I can hear the clutch make a clicking noise or something and since I'm a manual noob I'm not sure if that's normal or not. I'm assuming it's normal.

Thanks in advance! I'll provide rep points for answers. I know I'm being very specific and somewhat paranoid right now but I just want to become a better manual driver.

kenchan · 08-01-2011, 11:39 AM

yah, usually my reverse is half-clutched with a slight blip to get the car moving, but depends how far i need to back up if i need to fully engage or not.

for crawling forward, same thing. if there's no grade i can do half-clutch with no throttle.

clutch makes a light knocking noise on mine when depressed which is a characteristic of the car. you will hear the transmission spinning when you clutch out in neutral. this is normal.

Roadster4Us · 08-01-2011, 11:44 AM

You shouldn't hear any noises when engaging the clutch, so that is normal.

Like Kenchan stated, fully engaging or slightly engaging the clutch depends on how much you are reversing, how tight the area is etc...

For me to go into 1st, I have to be at a real crawl, almost stopped, otherwise 2nd is fine.

Your bucking issue is that you just did not have the rpm's high enough when you engaged the clutch.

All of this will come in time with practice. Nothing to worry about.

vividracing · 08-01-2011, 11:52 AM

Don't feel bad... When I was 15, I somehow got a Subaru dealer to let me drive a brand new STi... And I stalled 3 times

I immediately went home and drove my friends 5 speed Accord for a few hours so I'd never stall again... Didn't help. The next high-hp car I drove (Fox body Mustang, 500ish whp) I stalled.

Vaughanabe13 · 08-01-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster4Us

You shouldn't hear any noises when engaging the clutch, so that is normal.

Like Kenchan stated, fully engaging or slightly engaging the clutch depends on how much you are reversing, how tight the area is etc...

For me to go into 1st, I have to be at a real crawl, almost stopped, otherwise 2nd is fine.

Your bucking issue is that you just did not have the rpm's high enough when you engaged the clutch.

All of this will come in time with practice. Nothing to worry about.

Wait, did you mean I *should or *shouldn't hear noises? I'm confused by that part.

07-25-2011, 10:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 28	I learned to drive stick on the Z. Very tricky compared to other manuals I've driven since. The transmission isn't exactly super smooth in the lower gears, so having a clutch that has a relatively high engagement point can be frustrating. There's no trick to get around it. You just need to practice and get use to it. It took me a few weeks to shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly in this car....and I still encounter "shift shock" every once in a while. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

07-26-2011, 01:32 AM	#20 (permalink)
V8Killer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, NC Posts: 1,127 Drives: It Hard Till It Pops Rep Power: 16	He'll man just keep at it. Everytime I get back from overseas that first week is the roughest obeying traffic laws, watching my speed and trying to get the feel of the clutch again. When I'm first home I always stall in reverse lol but once I'm driving for a bit everything is good. __________________ "Punch" Too much to list and a baby shot of nitrous....

07-26-2011, 08:27 AM	#24 (permalink)
bflosabre91 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: na Posts: 114 Drives: car Rep Power: 14	i learned to drive a manual on my z and it took a while to get used to it. the point where the clutch engages is pretty high so that will take a little to get used to. I test drove a mustang GT a couple weeks ago and i felt like it was impossible to stall. it was almost too easy. so idk what makes the Z more difficult but you will get used to it once you get a feel for it. __________________ Zzzzzzzzz

08-01-2011, 11:28 AM	#26 (permalink)
Vaughanabe13 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 387 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 13	I have a question. When you are reversing, do you typically just let the clutch engage part way and use that motion to complete the reverse maneuver? Do you add gas at all or just use the manipulation of the clutch? Do you ever let the clutch fully engage? I tried letting the clutch fully engage once and the car started bucking like crazy, even as I was giving a little bit of gas. Perhaps I wasn't giving enough gas, or it's a bad thing to let the clutch all the way out in reverse? I just want to make sure I'm doing my reverse procedure correctly and not excessively wearing the clutch. Thoughts? Also, what do you do in the situation where you need to stop at a stop sign and then move a few feet forward in order to get a better view? Do you just fully stop and then put it in first and let the clutch slip with no gas? Also, if you're doing a "rolling stop" where you slow way down but don't stop, say behind cars at a light that just turned green or while you're in a parking lot - do you put it into first or second? I tried taking off from second one time and I must have been going too slow or something because the car didn't seem to like it and bucked a little bit. When you press the clutch in to disengage, do you hear any noises at all, mechanically speaking? I don't hear anything with the windows up but when I have the windows down and sound off I can hear the clutch make a clicking noise or something and since I'm a manual noob I'm not sure if that's normal or not. I'm assuming it's normal. Thanks in advance! I'll provide rep points for answers. I know I'm being very specific and somewhat paranoid right now but I just want to become a better manual driver. __________________ 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black. Last edited by Vaughanabe13; 08-01-2011 at 11:30 AM.

08-01-2011, 11:44 AM	#28 (permalink)
Roadster4Us A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 1,328 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Rep Power: 15	You shouldn't hear any noises when engaging the clutch, so that is normal. Like Kenchan stated, fully engaging or slightly engaging the clutch depends on how much you are reversing, how tight the area is etc... For me to go into 1st, I have to be at a real crawl, almost stopped, otherwise 2nd is fine. Your bucking issue is that you just did not have the rpm's high enough when you engaged the clutch. All of this will come in time with practice. Nothing to worry about. __________________ Greg 2013 Camaro ZL1

07-25-2011, 10:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
mayday813 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 143 Drives: 11 370Z spt tour 6mt Rep Power: 14	Although mentioned in numerous posts, the friction point of the Z's clutch is very high. I've been driving manual transmission coupes and sedans for over twenty years in daily drivers and it took me several weeks to get used to the release point on the Z to obtain a smooth launch from first gear. Once you get used to it, the clutch and transmission are very smooth.

07-26-2011, 02:25 AM	#21 (permalink)
bluenoser Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 75 Drives: 11 370Z SP KAD 6MT Rep Power: 13	I found the 370Z clutch tricky to get used to as well. I had an '08 Civic Si before and the clutch / transmission in that car was crazy smooth. I'm fine with the Z's setup now and I'm certainly not complaining but it couldn't be more different from the Si. I've only ever owned manual cars but once you get used to a setup it's hard to just switch over. The Z doesn't like to be driven like it's a Civic btw... it took me a few days to get rid of that driveline shudder with the clutch at low speed.

07-26-2011, 07:53 AM	#22 (permalink)
poorazn Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DC Posts: 176 Drives: 11 370Z BC M6 Sprt Rep Power: 14	OP, like everyone said clutch release points vary per car and so does the "gas resistance". Here's my advice. Dont try to 'move' the car the first time you press the clutch/gas! I do this just before driving any new manual. 1) Put in N. Left foot on brake. Right foot TAP the gas to get feel of the needed pressure to get it rev some. (I'm not talking FLOOR it. Its a light press as if you were about to start moving) 2) Still in N. Right foot brake. Put in first. SLOWLY lift left foot till you feel where the engagement point is. You wont stall cause you depress clutch when you feel the spot. 3) You just trained your gas foot and clutch foot. Now drive out of there.

07-26-2011, 08:56 AM	#25 (permalink)
Nick911sc A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,698 Drives: 2010 Nissan GT-R Rep Power: 20	As "difficult" as our Z's seem to be to drive, it always made me feel good to drive it again after I originally learned in my dads '78 911sc targa. That ******* cable clutch feels like it snaps your leg off compared to the Z lol

08-01-2011, 11:39 AM	#27 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	yah, usually my reverse is half-clutched with a slight blip to get the car moving, but depends how far i need to back up if i need to fully engage or not. for crawling forward, same thing. if there's no grade i can do half-clutch with no throttle. clutch makes a light knocking noise on mine when depressed which is a characteristic of the car. you will hear the transmission spinning when you clutch out in neutral. this is normal.

08-01-2011, 11:52 AM	#29 (permalink)
vividracing The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Age: 37 Posts: 7,306 Drives: 350Z,370Z,GTR Rep Power: 38	Don't feel bad... When I was 15, I somehow got a Subaru dealer to let me drive a brand new STi... And I stalled 3 times I immediately went home and drove my friends 5 speed Accord for a few hours so I'd never stall again... Didn't help. The next high-hp car I drove (Fox body Mustang, 500ish whp) I stalled. __________________ Rocky @ Vivid ♦ 480.966.3040 x236 ♦ Rocky@vividracing.com Email, PM, or call me directly for aggressive The370Z.com member pricing!!!

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