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

Armonster · 08-01-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

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.

I think many 370's make a "clatter" sound when you disengage under load - for example in first gear, slowing down and not touching the gas. Apparently it's normal for this car. The way to avoid it is to press the clutch in gently, rather than just stomping on it. Ease it down through the engagement point the same way as if you were trying to start in first gear. After a few weeks you will be able to predict when you need to disengage in this manner.

MightyBobo · 08-01-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bflosabre91

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.

Not hijacking, but I saw your name and felt like saying, Im heading back to Buffalo in 2 days for leave

Roadster4Us · 08-01-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

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

Smooth shifts, usually no noise. Rough shifts, or as Armonster stated, under load you might hear a littler chatter. Either way nothing to worry about.

You're overthinking a lot of this. Just get some time behind a manual and everything will fall into place...

Vaughanabe13 · 08-01-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster4Us

Smooth shifts, usually no noise. Rough shifts, or as Armonster stated, under load you might hear a littler chatter. Either way nothing to worry about.

You're overthinking a lot of this. Just get some time behind a manual and everything will fall into place...

I know I know, I even said in my post that I know I'm overthinking all of this, but that's my process and how I learn stuff so it helps me to get the details.

Yes, the word "chatter" is best to describe what I was hearing with the window down when I disengaged the clutch, and I remember I was pushing it in rather fast, so that must be it. For some reason I thought pushing it in slower would be harder on the clutch but maybe that is backwards thinking?

bflosabre91 · 08-01-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Not hijacking, but I saw your name and felt like saying, Im heading back to Buffalo in 2 days for leave

I'm in lancaster

Nick911sc · 08-01-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

I know I know, I even said in my post that I know I'm overthinking all of this, but that's my process and how I learn stuff so it helps me to get the details.

Yes, the word "chatter" is best to describe what I was hearing with the window down when I disengaged the clutch, and I remember I was pushing it in rather fast, so that must be it. For some reason I thought pushing it in slower would be harder on the clutch but maybe that is backwards thinking?

I can confirm that on my car if I push the clutch in fast there is indeed drivetrain chatter. This is inherent for our car and nothing to worry about. The Z's are known to have that cement mixer sound. If you look on the net you'll find a lot of threads regarding it. Hope that helps put you at ease.

Strangler · 08-01-2011, 09:22 PM

I've stalled 3x ever since I got this car. All the stalls were basically at a stop because I wasn't thinking. One at a dealership, that was the most embarrassing stall yet lol. For some reason I still had the car in first and I let go of the clutch. I was intending to turn the car off, guess the stall works haha.

Chimmy · 08-01-2011, 11:08 PM

Just wanted to drop a line! It's been 5 days since I bought my Z, and 5 days since I learned to drive a MT car.. I think it helps to know that 370z is less forgiving when it comes to clutching—don't be discouraged. You're probably a lot better than me still

mototrmpt · 08-02-2011, 09:26 AM

There seems to be a reason it's tough to shift smoothly in the Z and the culprit seems to be the clutch helper spring. In Nissan's effort to make the clutch pedal easier to push, they took away all feel for clutch engagement point. Many have solved this annoyance by disengaging the helper spring or replacing the OEM helper spring with a lighter spring. I've replaced my OEM spring with a lighter spring and my shifting has dramatically smoothed out. I had even better feel without the spring at all, but I preferred to keep the clutch mechanism as fully intact as possible. Here's a link discussing one of the best and cheapest mods available.

Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!

Armonster · 08-02-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mototrmpt

There seems to be a reason it's tough to shift smoothly in the Z and the culprit seems to be the clutch helper spring. In Nissan's effort to make the clutch pedal easier to push, they took away all feel for clutch engagement point. Many have solved this annoyance by disengaging the helper spring or replacing the OEM helper spring with a lighter spring. I've replaced my OEM spring with a lighter spring and my shifting has dramatically smoothed out. I had even better feel without the spring at all, but I preferred to keep the clutch mechanism as fully intact as possible. Here's a link discussing one of the best and cheapest mods available.

Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!

Very good point. I did this too, and it's great. Equally awesome is a stainless steel clutch line. The SS line combined with the helper spring makes the 370z clutch almost feel like a normal car (which is saying a lot).

Vaughanabe13 · 08-02-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimmy

Just wanted to drop a line! It's been 5 days since I bought my Z, and 5 days since I learned to drive a MT car.. I think it helps to know that 370z is less forgiving when it comes to clutching—don't be discouraged. You're probably a lot better than me still

I've definitely noticed dramatic improvement but I'm still learning. I still need to work on my hill starts and various specific cases but overall I'm able to get around pretty smoothly.

Chimmy · 08-02-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

I've definitely noticed dramatic improvement but I'm still learning. I still need to work on my hill starts and various specific cases but overall I'm able to get around pretty smoothly.

Gonna hit up a neighborhood tonight where i can find a lot of steep hills :]
I know I'm gonna burn a lot of clutch tonight but might as well take advantage of that life-time power train warranty from the dealer! Good luck to you as well as to me!

Nick911sc · 08-02-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimmy

Gonna hit up a neighborhood tonight where i can find a lot of steep hills :]
I know I'm gonna burn a lot of clutch tonight but might as well take advantage of that life-time power train warranty from the dealer! Good luck to you as well as to me!

Not sure if I'm reading your post wrong. But they will not replace your clutch under warranty due to your driving abilities.

Vaughanabe13 · 08-02-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimmy

Gonna hit up a neighborhood tonight where i can find a lot of steep hills :]
I know I'm gonna burn a lot of clutch tonight but might as well take advantage of that life-time power train warranty from the dealer! Good luck to you as well as to me!

Be careful, my dealer's lifetime powertrain warranty doesn't include clutch replacement. I do have a nissan warranty though that will replace clutch.

Chimmy · 08-02-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

Be careful, my dealer's lifetime powertrain warranty doesn't include clutch replacement. I do have a nissan warranty though that will replace clutch.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a note on that and find out what I'm dealing with!

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08-01-2011, 09:22 PM	#37 (permalink)
Strangler Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CA Posts: 260 Drives: 10 370z Touring 6MT Rep Power: 15	I've stalled 3x ever since I got this car. All the stalls were basically at a stop because I wasn't thinking. One at a dealership, that was the most embarrassing stall yet lol. For some reason I still had the car in first and I let go of the clutch. I was intending to turn the car off, guess the stall works haha.

08-01-2011, 11:08 PM	#38 (permalink)
Chimmy Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Jose Posts: 8 Drives: '11 370Z Base - Gun Rep Power: 13	Just wanted to drop a line! It's been 5 days since I bought my Z, and 5 days since I learned to drive a MT car.. I think it helps to know that 370z is less forgiving when it comes to clutching—don't be discouraged. You're probably a lot better than me still

08-02-2011, 09:26 AM	#39 (permalink)
mototrmpt Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 57 Drives: 09 370Z M6 Rep Power: 15	There seems to be a reason it's tough to shift smoothly in the Z and the culprit seems to be the clutch helper spring. In Nissan's effort to make the clutch pedal easier to push, they took away all feel for clutch engagement point. Many have solved this annoyance by disengaging the helper spring or replacing the OEM helper spring with a lighter spring. I've replaced my OEM spring with a lighter spring and my shifting has dramatically smoothed out. I had even better feel without the spring at all, but I preferred to keep the clutch mechanism as fully intact as possible. Here's a link discussing one of the best and cheapest mods available. Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!