learning stick on a Z
#21
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I always thought the Z was unforgiving compared to other cars...when you would give little throttle to other smaller cars that were manual they would stutter a bit before stalling..where in the z it just turns off lol..but that may be just me, since i never really had a stick car.
#22
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 5,249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never driven a stick and drove the car off the parking lot, onto the beltway (highway) in DC, and up a steep driveway.
Just be careful, and give it more gas and smooth with the clutch.
Ofcourse to get it right I had to practice driving in parking lot at night over and over.
Just be careful, and give it more gas and smooth with the clutch.
Ofcourse to get it right I had to practice driving in parking lot at night over and over.
#23
New Member
iTrader: (10)
i had driven a manual civic once before i got the Z, and i think the civic was much harder to drive than the Z. I think the soft clutch in the civic made it harder to control the clutch pedal. i say just learn in the Z. be a little careful and everything will be alright.
#24
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Whorelando
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the Z is a heavy clutch setup and engagement is alot quicker then alot of none sports cars.....its def alot different than a civic or a hyundai tiburon which i came from which i got a chance to drive a manual and it was a breeze. for some reason the Zs clutch is heavier and hearder to drive then alot of other cars.. But the crazy thing is when i drive other cars its like nothing. The Z is def not a good car to start driving clutch in.
#26
New Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My dad took me to a Saturn dealership when I was 15.
He told a sales puke that we wanted to test drive a manual Saturn. The guy said, "well, what model? Color? price range?"
My dad said, "It doesn't matter".
We returned an S2 that afternoon with a funny smell. Then bought a Talon TSi from another dealer.
Saturns are good for something at least.
He told a sales puke that we wanted to test drive a manual Saturn. The guy said, "well, what model? Color? price range?"
My dad said, "It doesn't matter".
We returned an S2 that afternoon with a funny smell. Then bought a Talon TSi from another dealer.
Saturns are good for something at least.
#28
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Wild Wild West
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by whoaishjustin
as u guys know, i am getting my Z in april..and i was wondering if i should learn stick on the Z or on a friends civic....the thing is that my friend probably wont let me drive his civic since i will be stalling a few times..ive heard rumors about the power the Z has so i was scared to learn to drive stick on the Z....anyone ever in my situation??
Originally Posted by whoaishjustin
but isnt it like powerful..wut if i like spin out or something like that..i just dnt want tocrash my car on the first day.....
Originally Posted by Durden76
In stock trim, the clutch is very forgiving in the Z, almost impossible to stall unless you give it zero throttle. If this is your first manual car expect to replace the clutch much sooner than the manufacturer recommends. Most important, enjoy your new ride!!
Originally Posted by Nforce1
I learned to drive stick on the Z. For the first couple of weeks, I didnt go anywhere without spinning the tires lol... Then slowly learned, after about a month I was fine to go anywhere.
Originally Posted by RBlover69
the Z is a heavy clutch setup and engagement is alot quicker then alot of none sports cars.....its def alot different than a civic or a hyundai tiburon which i came from which i got a chance to drive a manual and it was a breeze. for some reason the Zs clutch is heavier and hearder to drive then alot of other cars.. But the crazy thing is when i drive other cars its like nothing. The Z is def not a good car to start driving clutch in.
Oh...so what does burning clutch smell like? I don't think I've burned it yet..but just curious so I know what's up.
Last edited by rockinbboy; 02-18-2006 at 03:28 PM.
#32
New Member
iTrader: (8)
Originally Posted by The Brickyard Rat
"but isnt it like powerful..wut if i like spin out or something like that..i just dnt want tocrash my car on the first day....."
Not going to happen.
To be on the safe side I'd have someone who knows MT drive it from the dealer to an empty parking lot. Then have at it.
Not going to happen.
To be on the safe side I'd have someone who knows MT drive it from the dealer to an empty parking lot. Then have at it.
#34
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sactown, California
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it would be good to practice on the civic first, just so you are used to the mechanics of driving a manual car....What I always do when I get into a manual car I havent driven before is find out where the clutch grabs, easiest way is to hold 1500rpms and let the clutch up slowly. The first manual I ever drove was an Accord, the clutch was as soft as paper, and grabbed pretty high, I practiced on that for a few months and got pretty good, then I bought my first car which was a 6 speed 1995 3000GT VR4....much different, LOL. A clutch that was vaccum assisted because it was HARD to push in, but in this car, the clutch grab was instant, right at the bottom, but I never stalled, because I always find out where the clutch grabs first, once you know where it grabs, and if you are a decent manual driver you should be fine.
On the Z, the clutch is very springy, and grabs kind of high, easiest way to practice (I also use this to help my gf learn the clutch) is to drive the car when the engine is cold, so the motor is idling already above 1000rpms, just put it in first, and ease the clutch up until you start moving, you will get used to how springy it is, and realize where it grabs, practice makes perfect, Good luck!
On the Z, the clutch is very springy, and grabs kind of high, easiest way to practice (I also use this to help my gf learn the clutch) is to drive the car when the engine is cold, so the motor is idling already above 1000rpms, just put it in first, and ease the clutch up until you start moving, you will get used to how springy it is, and realize where it grabs, practice makes perfect, Good luck!
#35
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
when i first got my z i had a little experience driving friends civics and integs that were 5 speed...but for the first few weeks i started in second gear since the shift from 1 to 2 is still a hard one for me to make smoothly all the time...it will also help you out with getting a feel for the clutch and reduce your wheel spin...but when you get the hang of it...these cars are like crack...you just cant help but rip through the gears...good luck with your new ride and hope you enjoy it as much as all of us do
#36
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Diego/ Santa Monica
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i just learned stick on my friends civic for like 40 mins...i stalled 4 times but that was at the beginning..ive been in a Z at a local nissan dealer an pressed the clutch in and the civics clutch is much softer..he told me i learned pretty fast but i still shake when launching at 1st but the rest is fine...would i be ok to drive the Z ???
#37
New Member
iTrader: (8)
Originally Posted by whoaishjustin
i just learned stick on my friends civic for like 40 mins...i stalled 4 times but that was at the beginning..ive been in a Z at a local nissan dealer an pressed the clutch in and the civics clutch is much softer..he told me i learned pretty fast but i still shake when launching at 1st but the rest is fine...would i be ok to drive the Z ???
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Arvin, CA (USA)
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Question... How do you launch in first? Like I know how to do it but I can't do it perfectly smooth yet... What technique do you use? (This is a general question... anyone feel free to respond.) Like do you shift into gear, then gas it up to about 2K and slowly let out the clutch or what? IDK how to get it perfect... Help?
#39
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Originally Posted by RJNavarrete
Question... How do you launch in first? Like I know how to do it but I can't do it perfectly smooth yet... What technique do you use? (This is a general question... anyone feel free to respond.) Like do you shift into gear, then gas it up to about 2K and slowly let out the clutch or what? IDK how to get it perfect... Help?
Regular street launch, in gear, RPM to 1000 and let go of the clutch slowling. Once you're on the friction point (car starts to move) hold still and let the car accelerate to match the engine speed (slipping the clutch). ONce speed is matched, let go of the clutch and give it more gas.