Mostly personal convenience... it's easier to just move the shifter forward than left/forward.

Also, I'm thinking that a car would have a harder time rolling (on an incline/decline) if it's in a higher gear.

But leaving it in any gear is better than not leaving it in gear, IMO.

Michael.

 

That's if you assume I go 60mph on the highways...

 

Leaving it in a higher gear not good for parking. The higher the gear the easier it is to roll. Here is an example: When you want to jump start a MT car by pushing it, after you have it rolling you always want to be in the highest gear possible so it won't lock up the wheels. It rolls easier that way.

Adam

 

Congratulations on the MT. It's the best way to drive a sports car.

It sounds like you have most of the tips already, but here are a couple I didn't notice in the earlier posts.

1. When starting on an uphill incline, you can always "cheat" by using your parking brake to help prevent the car from rolling backwards when you take your foot off the brake and begin to place it on the gas. Just apply the parking brake before you take your foot off the brake pedal, and then release the parking brake as you release the clutch. This makes it much easier and you won't need to worry about rolling into the car behind you.

2. When parking on a hill definitely use the parking brake and keep the car in gear (most owners manuals recommend first gear, although I'm not sure why). Also, wherever possible, curb your wheels. For example, if you are parking facing up hill, turn you wheels to the away from the curb, so if the car were to roll backwards the back of the wheels would run into the curb and stop the car. When parking facing downhill, turn towards the curb so the front of the wheels would hit the curb if the car were to roll forwards. Having your wheels turned like this will help prevent the car from rolling away, and will also prevent the car from rolling straight down the hill and becoming a dangerous missile. Of course the curbing advice applies to AT's as well, which probably why no one else brought it up. Hehe, sorry.

Luckily, I learned how to drive a manual on my first car, so now I've had quite a bit of practice (although I'm still not very good at heel and toeing - thank goodness for syncroes). I'm sure you'll pick up the MT in no time.

-D'oh!

 

What exactly is Heel and Toeing?

While we're at it, what is a "double clutch" shift?

 

I also want to know what heel-and-toe means. I here it all of the time in magazines but never knew what it meant.

Double clutch shifting is when you have the car in gear and press the clutch in, put it in nuetral release the clutch rev the engine to a certain RPM then press the clutch again and put it in the gear you want to go. This is used for most tractor trailors and large trucks because they do not have synchronized transmissions. I know this because my father drives a tractor trailor and I have seen him do this. That is why the line in "The Fast and the Furious" is totally ridiculous because it will take you forever to get into the next gear.

Adam

 

Here's a thread that discusses it. Follow the link in this thread for an excellent lesson plan for learning to rev match and heel & toe.

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=3567&

 

When I learned to drive a manual, I found the clutch to be the most difficult aspect to master. I suggest practicing starts on a quiet, level street WITHOUT using the gas. You should be able to get any car rolling in 1st w/o gas if you're slow and deliberate with the clutch. In my opinion, this is a good exercise in clutch control.
Mika

 

the Z will be my first Owned Manual Tranny also, but I got a good tip that will get your take offs smooth as anything...worked for me.

Find a gentle hill in a parking lot...early in morning or late at night.
spend an hour rolling back and figuring out where the Zs clutch catches...
practice with a gentle roll back...once you feel comfortable, go to a bigger but still not all out slope, and practice on that.
make sure it is not a traffic congested area where something can sneak up behind you, and it is open so you dont hit a wall if you roll back to much.
This will help...EVERYTHING concerning your manual skills, but esspecially take-offs, and the whole 'rolling backwards' thing.

 

Thanks a bunch for all the tips guys. My car will be here tommorow, can hardly wait! I'll let you know how it goes.