I've never driven a manual transmission car in my life and am trying to understand them.

1. How come with manual cars, you don't leave it in 1st gear at a stop light? (like an automatic that stays in drive) If you did, does this damage something?

2. What exactly do you do with a manual transmission at a full stop? Eg. Hold clutch ALL the way down and shift into neutral?

 

1) (Provided that the clutch is depressed) unnecessary clutch wear. You want to get on and off the clutch whenever feasible. If you leave it in 1st without the clutch in and no gas, you stall.

2) Yeah. Then release the clutch.

nbdyfcnsqnc touts a link that explains the ABC's of MT if you wanna PM him

 

1. you can leave it in 1st if you ahve clutch pressed down.... but i agree w/ yobri, stay off the clutch whenever possible.

2. yes, just leave it in neutral...


Here's the normal procedure to come to a stop at a light....
1. in [1-6]th gear....
2. press clutch
3. shift to neutral
4. let go of clutch
5. brake til stop....

 

Thanks for the info so far, guys.

So if you're in 1st and not pushing the clutch down, or giving it gas at a full stop...

1. You'll stall?
2. You're put wear on the clutch?

 

- in 1st gear (stopped)
- no gas
- no clutch

Stall.

- in 1st gear (stopped)
- no gas
- clutch in

Unnecessary wear.

 

1. Like everybody else says, leaving the clutch in causes excessive wear and leaving it in gear with the clutch out and the engine running will cause it to stall. Most automatic transmissions have a torque converter that acts like a clutch to allow the vehicle to come to a stop in gear while the engine is still running.

2. Put the transmission in neutral and get off the clutch. FYI Contrary to popular belief, automatic transmissions do use a clutch. Putting an auto transmission into neutral releases the clutch pack and the bands allowing the output shaft to spin freely.

 

Thanks fellas. I understand it now!

 

I wrote a paper for my English class a few years ago on how to drive stick. PM me with your e-mail address if you want me to send it.

 

You have a PM.

 

an automatic has no solid link between engine and wheels at low RPMs. the torque converter is like 2 fans facing each other, 1 turns the other one will turn from the breeze. the torque converter is the same thing, except the fluid is forced towards the other fan, and its fluid to increase resistance. but the 2 fans never spin the EXACT same speed, there is also inefficiency, this is part of the reason why autos have less hp. at higher RPMs the 2 fans lock together to increase efficiency. at idle though, its slow enough on one side, that it can turn and the other side can stay still.

this also works nicely because as the difference in fan speeds grows, the torque applied to the second one is increased, thus, torque converter.

a manual transmission has no such thing, the only non solid peice between the motor and wheel is the clutch. and it is on or off, locked or not. if its locked, the car must be moving at whatever geared speed is equal to the engine RPMs. so you can not be locked to a moving engine without the car moving.

I hear about wear on a clutch by holding the clutch at a stop light, the throwout bearing is the part mentioned to wear out, not the clutch itself. as long as the clutch is totally disengaged, there is no wear on the clutch plate what so ever. you'll hear people argue that the throwout bearing is a cheap part, and having it in gear at all times allows you to get going faster should it appear some idiot behind you is not going to stop. however you choose to look at it. neither way is wrong.

 

Very informative, ares.

 

I recommend you actually drive one with a manual tranny. It could be confusing unless you try it physically.

 

learn the basic idea on something easy like a stock civic. THose clutches are light and forgiving.

 

When you test drive the Z be sure to let the clutch out slow or you will get a kick in the azz (by the car)....However this is something that you may like, I know I do.