Just Bought a Z!!!!!! Stick Driving Tips Please...
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: los angeles
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just Bought a Z!!!!!! Stick Driving Tips Please...
Just picked up 04 PPW enthusiast model and i love it...so much power.....
I have driven my friends' cars that were stick, but still not too smooth on the shifting.
I was wondering if you guys can help me out by sharing any stick tips that you may have....esp. on hills......Thanks,....
I have driven my friends' cars that were stick, but still not too smooth on the shifting.
I was wondering if you guys can help me out by sharing any stick tips that you may have....esp. on hills......Thanks,....
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Orlando
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Just Bought a Z!!!!!! Stick Driving Tips Please...
Originally posted by youngn1m
Just picked up 04 PPW enthusiast model and i love it...so much power.....
I have driven my friends' cars that were stick, but still not too smooth on the shifting.
I was wondering if you guys can help me out by sharing any stick tips that you may have....esp. on hills......Thanks,....
Just picked up 04 PPW enthusiast model and i love it...so much power.....
I have driven my friends' cars that were stick, but still not too smooth on the shifting.
I was wondering if you guys can help me out by sharing any stick tips that you may have....esp. on hills......Thanks,....
#3
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Orange/So Cal
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Z was my first manual transmission car.
However, about 3 months before I bought it, I borrowed my friends truck and went to a parking lot.
First I just put the car into first with the parking brake on and let out the clutch until I could get the hang of how far I had to let out the clutch before the power was transfered from the fly wheel to the wheels. You'll notice the rpm drop at the correct point where transfer begins.
I did this until I could let out the clutch at exactly the point where power started to transfer.
Next, I just put the car into 1st and let out the clutch without using the gas until I excelerated. (Not using parking break now.)
I did this for 1st to 4th. (4th was hard =P) until I was comfortable.
Lastly, I just practiced shifting gears (while going in circles) until I could do it comfortably.
Then I drove my friend home in his truck.
All told took about an hour and half to learn how to drive stick.
I kind of picked up down shifting, rev matching from talking to my friend after I got my Z.
I still need to learn what exactly double clutching is... ( I think it has to do with rev synching....)
Janus
However, about 3 months before I bought it, I borrowed my friends truck and went to a parking lot.
First I just put the car into first with the parking brake on and let out the clutch until I could get the hang of how far I had to let out the clutch before the power was transfered from the fly wheel to the wheels. You'll notice the rpm drop at the correct point where transfer begins.
I did this until I could let out the clutch at exactly the point where power started to transfer.
Next, I just put the car into 1st and let out the clutch without using the gas until I excelerated. (Not using parking break now.)
I did this for 1st to 4th. (4th was hard =P) until I was comfortable.
Lastly, I just practiced shifting gears (while going in circles) until I could do it comfortably.
Then I drove my friend home in his truck.
All told took about an hour and half to learn how to drive stick.
I kind of picked up down shifting, rev matching from talking to my friend after I got my Z.
I still need to learn what exactly double clutching is... ( I think it has to do with rev synching....)
Janus
#4
New Member
iTrader: (2)
The best advice I can give is to tell you to try to get used to your clutch's catch point. Once you have that down your shifts will be a lot smoother. I wasnt too comfortable driving mine until I was able to do this. Its tough to get going when you think you are letting the clutch out but are still in its dead zone.
In addition, the Z likes for you to rev match on your downshifts!
....and dont downshift in to first if the car is moving!
ok thats all for now...
In addition, the Z likes for you to rev match on your downshifts!
....and dont downshift in to first if the car is moving!
ok thats all for now...
#5
I would read these to get a better understanding from a technical standpoint:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
Never hurts!
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
Never hurts!
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: los angeles
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys for the tips....i just got back from a parking lot and I feel much more comfortable...before i was overreving a lot but now that i got the "catch point" i no longer overrev...
I am sooooo tempted to go fast....but i should keep it under control cuz i only have 100 miles on the car....
Anyways...all of your tips are very helpful and appreciated....
I am sooooo tempted to go fast....but i should keep it under control cuz i only have 100 miles on the car....
Anyways...all of your tips are very helpful and appreciated....
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Massillon, OH
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be Careful!
Originally posted by youngn1m
Thanks guys for the tips....i just got back from a parking lot and I feel much more comfortable...before i was overreving a lot but now that i got the "catch point" i no longer overrev...
I am sooooo tempted to go fast....but i should keep it under control cuz i only have 100 miles on the car....
Anyways...all of your tips are very helpful and appreciated....
Thanks guys for the tips....i just got back from a parking lot and I feel much more comfortable...before i was overreving a lot but now that i got the "catch point" i no longer overrev...
I am sooooo tempted to go fast....but i should keep it under control cuz i only have 100 miles on the car....
Anyways...all of your tips are very helpful and appreciated....
The way I was taught how to drive stick was to think of the gas and clutch like a balance scale. As you press one pedal in, you release the other pedal an equal amount and vice versa. It's not precisely like that, but it will get you into the hang of things a little faster. At least... it did for me
-Chris
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, looks like the members here have already pointed out some great advice. I don't have too much to add to that, but just wanted to commend you on purchasing a 6speed Z even if you had to learn how to drive it!!! I never understood why the Z is even offered with an auto tranny. No offense to anyone with auto!!! But just not for me!
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Z is my 3rd stick, (2nd nissan stick). After learning to drive stick in an E36 BMW 10 years ago, i have to say that Japanese clutches are generally easier to drive. The trick is to "feel" the clutch disc as you re-engage the clutch be slowly releasing the clutch pedal.
have fun
have fun
#10
New Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Go A's
Posts: 3,653
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hardest Manual i ever drove was a '92 Dodge Stealth RT/TT... (actually the clutch was the only hard thing, the rest is actually easier than others... you have to press hard on that clutch like a biatch... )
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is my 4th clutch car owned, but I have driven many and I must say that 1st gear in the 350Z had the most learning curve out of any car I've driven (next to the ZO6). Just when I would have 30 smoove shifts (from 1st) under my belt I would let out a jumpy start, revealing either inconsistencies in the clutch catch point or in the way my brain is hardwired from previous cars.
I'm almost at 400mi on my new Z now and its all second nature. Can't wait to exceed 4000rpm in 800 more miles.
I'm almost at 400mi on my new Z now and its all second nature. Can't wait to exceed 4000rpm in 800 more miles.
Last edited by rogerudc; 03-31-2004 at 03:53 PM.
#13
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: San Jose
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Advice....
Get out of So Cal!! Stay away from all the highways and traffic
Sorry had to say that. Once Nissan Headquarters gave me a new proto car to drive that was stick. I swear I stalled it 3 times just from my knee giving out hanging in traffic for 3 and half hours.
Never got the car above 65! Man if it wasn't for the traffic. I would live in So cal right now
zya!
Yuichi
Get out of So Cal!! Stay away from all the highways and traffic
Sorry had to say that. Once Nissan Headquarters gave me a new proto car to drive that was stick. I swear I stalled it 3 times just from my knee giving out hanging in traffic for 3 and half hours.
Never got the car above 65! Man if it wasn't for the traffic. I would live in So cal right now
zya!
Yuichi
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: los angeles
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I took some pictures while letting the car cool off.... i was practicing at my work parking lot....
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bri...bum?.dir=/cbd8
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bri...bum?.dir=/cbd8
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orange County
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you really wanted to on a flat surface you could let the clutch out slow and without even giving any gas you would take off nice and slow in first. You develop confidence over time, going into a big empty parking lot and practicing never hurts.
Congrats on your new car and keep in mind that the next step is proper and timely clutch release for a sub 2.0 60 ft launch.
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX.
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In time when the car starts to "break in" it will naturaly start to feel a little more smooth. However at that point you probably would have gotten very use to it. Parking lots are great but you should also take it on the freeway late at night when nobody is out to know what it's like at freeway speeds and having to shift getting on and off the ramps when slowing to service roads and comming to a stop at a light. Practice around the same area (making u-turns back on and off to the freeway) then expand your distance. Take care of the Z and it'll for sure take care of you. Congratulations. By the way, does anyone know what the "break in" is on the Z's?
#17
350Z-holic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: teh interwebnets
Posts: 17,685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Ryan Davis
By the way, does anyone know what the "break in" is on the Z's?
By the way, does anyone know what the "break in" is on the Z's?
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
break in
Originally posted by yobri
Nissan recommended break-in is 1,200 miles. That is subjective to individual members of the board though
Nissan recommended break-in is 1,200 miles. That is subjective to individual members of the board though
Thanks
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Colombo
Forced Induction
35
11-09-2020 10:27 AM