Quick shifting question: when do you guys shift to 2nd from a dead stop? I used to shift to 2nd at about 3100 rpm, but it would never be smooth. Just today, I tried shifting to 2nd right after coming from a dead stop, and it was a whole lot smoother and quicker. I'm still relatively new at this, so my manual skills are not up to par which could explain why I'm having trouble shifting at 3100 rpm.

But I'm still wondering: what's the right way?

Thanks!

 

wow..............

that is all i'm going to say

(lol @ some ppl don't know how to drive a MT)

 

It actually will tell you in the manual, I believe. I like to hear my exhaust so I stay in each gear longer than recommended

 

I think you just need more practice with the clutch. for daily driving smoothness it doesnt really matter when you shift. I dont look anymore, just shift when ever I feel like, normally 3500 rpms shift up, below 2K rpms shift down

Just cruising around town I shift from 1st to 2nd at around 3000 -3500 rpms

What troubles are you having, just the car jerking a bit, that normal and just takes practice to eliminate

 

This confused me. You're shifting to 2nd AFTER you stop? When Im stopped Im in neutral. I shift from 1st-2nd whenever I feel necessary given my mood or traffic.

 

oh yeah dont take off in second, its a bad habit with no real reason for doing so.

If your new to manual, use every gear when going up, even when you could skip.
I never skip gears, just cruising, keeps me in practice so when a go to the track, and need to skip around, I dont have to think where the gears are, just comes natural

 

I shift into 2nd when the rev limiter kicks in and the tires stop smoking

 

sorry, i guess im not explaining it right.....


i start from a dead stop in 1st, but I shift to 2nd right after I start moving. Before, I would wait for it to hit 3100 rpm before shifting...

don't worry, I'm not taking off in 2nd.

 

Only time I start out in 2nd is when doing burnouts before a run at the strip (I never do 1st gear burnouts). Although my motor has plenty torque for smooth starts in 2nd.

 

sounds fine to me, I was really jerking around when I first got the Z, dont worry about it.

What helps in going to a flat place and get the car rolling without the use of the accelerator, you'll learn right where the clutch grabs and will learn to ease into that spot.

Also keep in mind the Z is not the smoothest manual around, I still have my jerky shift where my GF's head is bouncing around from time to time

 

I don't see the reason to shift to second right after you start moving. The only time I would shift into second before 3000 is if I am in a parking lot or 10 mph speed limit area.

As a rule I don't shift until a minimum of 3500 - 4000 and lots of shifts above 5500! Yee Ha.

Of course I should be talking past tense since I just totaled my car on Tuesday!

 

For normal daily driving, I usually upshift at 2k rpm's, regardless of the gear.

 

That's probably why you still have your car and I don't!

 

u probably let go of the clutch 2 fast; letting go of the clutch 2 sudden gives u the forward-back-forward motion, especially in higher rpm, cause u don't step on the gas far enough...Let the clutch go slowly until u get the point of getting into another gear, step on the gas slower 2, this is the best way I can put it...
in daily driving, I shift around 3,000 rpm every gear (4 me). Only idiots will shift at reline all the time n mess the car up, only use the power when necessary!

 

[QUOTE=HDPD350Z]Only time I start out in 2nd is when doing burnouts before a run at the strip (I never do 1st gear burnouts). Although my motor has plenty torque for smooth starts in 2nd.[/QUOT

What. oh ok.

 

If I understand what your saying, your shifting into 2nd to soon.

 

when i first got the Z, it was my first stick car also, although I've had practices in other stick shift cars before. the Z is not an easy car to learn with, and I think the 2nd gear is probably the hardest to perfect to a smooth motion. first gear is pretty easy and straight forward, but the 2nd gear will take more time to perfect, IMO.

 

You can shift whenever you want to. 3 or 6,000 RPM. With, say, 10,000 miles of practice, you will be shifting with the best.

 

I have driven manual transmissions for years, and I had a little trouble keeping the car smooth from 1st to 2nd when I first bought it. It is not the same as your average car. There are 2 options to keep it smooth, do basically what you are doing, shifting early, but that is no fun. Shift at higher RPM, such as 3500, but leave the clutch in longer than you normally would shifting through other gears. The rev match from 1st to 2nd seems more touchy.

 

ok