N00bie Needs Help.

SirMattieP · 06-01-2008, 08:25 PM

Hey there, soooo i have had my car for about 2 weeks now... and im new to driving a stick shift. I started pretty rough for the first couple days, doing my bogging and letting the clutch out too soon and stepping on the gas to fast.. you know the whole expierence haha

Anyways im at the point where im comfortable and mellow when im just cruising the streets taking my time. But then after that if i want to be in a hurry or shift faster i cannot do it!! I dont know why.. what either ends up happening is i let the clutch out too soon and you get that jolt, or im still reving the car while changing the gears im a mess

and it pisses me off because since i dont know what im doing wrong i dont know how im going to improve.. Will experience and teaching my self do it or what?? Like does it take time...? Cause i know my patience level is pretty low lol And its because since im getting used to the whole cruising situation, i am wanting to do more and practice to shift fast using the cars full potential, for those every now and then street races

... So if anyone is willing to send some pointers my way, that'd be much appreciated. Thank you in advance

Matt

Rootus · 06-01-2008, 08:36 PM

Practice, practice, practice!

It's hard to give pointers on shifting technique. Elegance is something you have to work through on your own, and a few people never get it at all

.

Keep in mind also that you'll never achieve perfection 100% of the time. You'll get better, but you'll still occasionally have imperfect shifts for various reasons. Especially when the car is cold, because it responds differently.

Just get out there and drive, and pay attention to what you're doing. You'll start to develop techniques specific to your car that allow you drive it very smoothly.

XxNitr0xX · 06-01-2008, 08:37 PM

It's all about the clutch. That little sweet spot on the clutch as you let go. Practice in an empty parking lot just going to slow cruising, find that sweet spot. The sweet spot on my car (Stock 06 STi clutch) is about 85% out. My only pointer would be to let out your left foot really fast, then hold it at that sweet spot for a split second as you floor it. Start slow with maybe 1/8 throttle getting smooth shifts, then work your way up to 1/6 throttle, 1/4, 1/2.

Igetitpoppin · 06-01-2008, 08:38 PM

You need to get comfortable with the car way before any street racing

but it just takes time. You will learn the best shift points and what not but all you need to do is just keep driving and working on your shifts.

Nativepenguin · 06-01-2008, 08:39 PM

dang, i would have practiced before i bought a new STi...

SirMattieP · 06-01-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nativepenguin

dang, i would have practiced before i bought a new STi...

Haha word

Thats another thing, i get scared if i like mess up because im a nub and i dont want to break the car lol. But then ive heard all STI transmissions are solid... so i guess im good haha i dunno. I dont want the thing breaking anytime soon cause of all my practicing ya know..

Quote:"You need to get comfortable with the car way before any street racing

"

^^ 10 4 to that one. lol

Igetitpoppin · 06-01-2008, 09:20 PM

When I first picked up my Sti Every light i came to someone was trying race me. It was funny but i wasnt familiar with the car so i just took it easy and then when i was comfortable with it, i started blowing peoples doors off

EpicWagon · 06-02-2008, 07:29 AM

What part of so-cal do you live in?

I'd do a sit in with ya and give you tips while driving, be a lot easier than over the intrawebz

I'd say keep it under 5K until you get used to your clutch pop and pedal depth. Get really good on the street, before you hammer it.

EpicWagon · 06-02-2008, 07:33 AM

also...

practice doesn't make perfect....

Perfect Practice, makes perfect.

So get the tips and an experienced driver with you first, before you develope some horrible habits ;D

JuggernautTCW · 06-02-2008, 07:46 AM

come on mang... just practice. not sure if there are hills near where you live... but when i learned i went to this neighborhood w/ a steep hill and stopped by every mailbox as if i was deliverying mail... once u conquered hills... then you can drag race no prob.... lol

tripod · 06-02-2008, 07:49 AM

Learn to shift properly without abusing your trans or clutch, before you try to "shift fast" or race.

From reading your post, expect to be replacing your clutch very early in it's life.

Proper shifting can not be taught on line. It is a "feel" that comes from experience.

jonny427 · 06-02-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nativepenguin

dang, i would have practiced before i bought a new STi...

Seriously =P

I learned on my 03 WRX and man that was difficult =P I was so scared of destroying the tranny.

honeybadger · 06-02-2008, 04:16 PM

Have patience and do not rush - shifting quickly will come eventually. With time, you will learn other interesting techniques such as rev matching, heal toe, and clutchless shifting

lapinga · 06-02-2008, 04:30 PM

wax on wax of ....... slow your role because you might end burning your clutch. remember that everything takes time.

***stealth*** · 06-02-2008, 04:41 PM

I've taught a few people and as lame as this may sound the one thing that helped some of them was to think of the clutch and gas as a see saw(teeter totter). As the clutch comes up the gas goes down. And pay attention to where the clutch catches(the sweet spot) as this will be one of the most important factors in good shifting(at least while learning)

06-01-2008, 08:25 PM	#1
SirMattieP Professional STI Racer Car: DGM 2008 STI Fav Mod: 292 WHP!! 352 TQ!! RaWr Location: So-Cal Posts: 706 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	N00bie Needs Help. Hey there, soooo i have had my car for about 2 weeks now... and im new to driving a stick shift. I started pretty rough for the first couple days, doing my bogging and letting the clutch out too soon and stepping on the gas to fast.. you know the whole expierence haha Anyways im at the point where im comfortable and mellow when im just cruising the streets taking my time. But then after that if i want to be in a hurry or shift faster i cannot do it!! I dont know why.. what either ends up happening is i let the clutch out too soon and you get that jolt, or im still reving the car while changing the gears im a mess and it pisses me off because since i dont know what im doing wrong i dont know how im going to improve.. Will experience and teaching my self do it or what?? Like does it take time...? Cause i know my patience level is pretty low lol And its because since im getting used to the whole cruising situation, i am wanting to do more and practice to shift fast using the cars full potential, for those every now and then street races... So if anyone is willing to send some pointers my way, that'd be much appreciated. Thank you in advance Matt This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-01-2008, 08:36 PM	#2
Rootus S204 Racer Location: Mahan, OR Posts: 2,905 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. Practice, practice, practice! It's hard to give pointers on shifting technique. Elegance is something you have to work through on your own, and a few people never get it at all . Keep in mind also that you'll never achieve perfection 100% of the time. You'll get better, but you'll still occasionally have imperfect shifts for various reasons. Especially when the car is cold, because it responds differently. Just get out there and drive, and pay attention to what you're doing. You'll start to develop techniques specific to your car that allow you drive it very smoothly.

06-01-2008, 08:37 PM	#3
XxNitr0xX Amateur STI Driver Car: Blue 06 WRX STi Fav Mod: G200 Location: Maryland Posts: 36 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. It's all about the clutch. That little sweet spot on the clutch as you let go. Practice in an empty parking lot just going to slow cruising, find that sweet spot. The sweet spot on my car (Stock 06 STi clutch) is about 85% out. My only pointer would be to let out your left foot really fast, then hold it at that sweet spot for a split second as you floor it. Start slow with maybe 1/8 throttle getting smooth shifts, then work your way up to 1/6 throttle, 1/4, 1/2.

06-01-2008, 08:38 PM	#4
Igetitpoppin Grassroots STI Racer Car: White 07 STi Fav Mod: 19,000rpm rev limit Location: NYC Posts: 518 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. You need to get comfortable with the car way before any street racing but it just takes time. You will learn the best shift points and what not but all you need to do is just keep driving and working on your shifts.

06-01-2008, 08:39 PM	#5
Nativepenguin Professional STI Driver Car: 09 L.L.Bean Forester Fav Mod: Not having one Location: Eglin AFB, From Alaska Posts: 403 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. dang, i would have practiced before i bought a new STi...

06-01-2008, 09:20 PM	#7
Igetitpoppin Grassroots STI Racer Car: White 07 STi Fav Mod: 19,000rpm rev limit Location: NYC Posts: 518 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. When I first picked up my Sti Every light i came to someone was trying race me. It was funny but i wasnt familiar with the car so i just took it easy and then when i was comfortable with it, i started blowing peoples doors off

06-02-2008, 07:29 AM	#8
EpicWagon Junior STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 111 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. What part of so-cal do you live in? I'd do a sit in with ya and give you tips while driving, be a lot easier than over the intrawebz I'd say keep it under 5K until you get used to your clutch pop and pedal depth. Get really good on the street, before you hammer it.

06-02-2008, 07:33 AM	#9
EpicWagon Junior STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 111 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. also... practice doesn't make perfect.... Perfect Practice, makes perfect. So get the tips and an experienced driver with you first, before you develope some horrible habits ;D

06-02-2008, 07:46 AM	#10
JuggernautTCW Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 05 WRX Sedan Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 378 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. come on mang... just practice. not sure if there are hills near where you live... but when i learned i went to this neighborhood w/ a steep hill and stopped by every mailbox as if i was deliverying mail... once u conquered hills... then you can drag race no prob.... lol

06-02-2008, 07:49 AM	#11
tripod STI Driver Car: '06 WRX STi CGM Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 259 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. Learn to shift properly without abusing your trans or clutch, before you try to "shift fast" or race. From reading your post, expect to be replacing your clutch very early in it's life. Proper shifting can not be taught on line. It is a "feel" that comes from experience.

06-02-2008, 04:16 PM	#13
honeybadger Amateur STI Driver Car: 2002 Honda S2000 Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 37 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. Have patience and do not rush - shifting quickly will come eventually. With time, you will learn other interesting techniques such as rev matching, heal toe, and clutchless shifting

06-02-2008, 04:30 PM	#14
lapinga Junior STI Driver Car: 04 WRB sti Location: GA Posts: 106 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. wax on wax of ....... slow your role because you might end burning your clutch. remember that everything takes time.

06-02-2008, 04:41 PM	#15
*stealth* I can't recall Car: 08 OBP STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Vermont Posts: 125 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: N00bie Needs Help. I've taught a few people and as lame as this may sound the one thing that helped some of them was to think of the clutch and gas as a see saw(teeter totter). As the clutch comes up the gas goes down. And pay attention to where the clutch catches(the sweet spot) as this will be one of the most important factors in good shifting(at least while learning) This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.