expert street driving manual transmission
expert street driving manual transmission
(OP)
I'm looking for a video etc by authoritative source for "proper" street driving a manual transmission.
There are plenty of you tube videos of real race drivers keeping both hands on the wheel, and steering except when actually shifting, but nothing equivalent for street driving.
A young friend has picked up habits like driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter, or coasting on the straight and thru corners with his foot depressing the clutch.
I don't want to break his heart or hurt his feelings too bad, so I figured some comments on correct street techniques by Jackie Stewart ( I have 3 of his books) or Mario Andretti some other champion known for being easy on his equipment would be nice to slip in his mailbox anonymously. Or, if Mario's video says to coast and keep one hand on the shifter, etc, it will shut me up.
thanks
Dan T
There are plenty of you tube videos of real race drivers keeping both hands on the wheel, and steering except when actually shifting, but nothing equivalent for street driving.
A young friend has picked up habits like driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter, or coasting on the straight and thru corners with his foot depressing the clutch.
I don't want to break his heart or hurt his feelings too bad, so I figured some comments on correct street techniques by Jackie Stewart ( I have 3 of his books) or Mario Andretti some other champion known for being easy on his equipment would be nice to slip in his mailbox anonymously. Or, if Mario's video says to coast and keep one hand on the shifter, etc, it will shut me up.
thanks
Dan T





RE: expert street driving manual transmission
For me, replacing my own clutches a few times changed my driving style.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
- Steve
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
True, usually
<B>" declutching and the engine having to burn fuel to maintain idle speed."
True
<C> " <A> marginally increase mpg over<B>"
Ah, much more complex than that. In state A the car is slowing down more rapidly, due to engine braking, so at some point you will have to actually drive more using gas to make up for it. In my many experiments the thing is a total wash in normal driving on the flat. However, when driving down a steep hill at unlimited speed then it is worth knocking it into neutral, but of course that is not a zero risk option. Incidentally driving at high speed with the clutch depressed for long periods is deprecated as the thrust bearing is not actively lubricated, and grease doesn't last forever.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: expert street driving manual transmission
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
IME, the racing drivers who can promote the best driving habits will advise on things like double-declutching, using the clutch (vs. not), left-foot braking and other racing-specific things. You might do better consulting European driving instruction sources, as manual transmissions are so prevalent there and driving instruction is vastly better than in the US. (It is ironic, isn't it, that the most car-centric culture in the world has some of the least comprehensive training systems?)
On the street, there are numerous bad habits that untrained drivers do with manual transmissions.
1) Improper clutch engagement. As you know, the clutch pedal and throttle pedal both have a lot of travel, and during a normal street driving upshift, there is a critical range where they will be during a good smooth shift. Optimal clutching technique involves letting out the clutch and pressing down the throttle without a pause in the pedal motion. There is no "friction point" in the clutch - there is a friction zone between light engagement and full lock-up - and a skilled driver will pass through this zone steadily. The skill is in lifting the clutch and depressing the throttle so that the engagement occurs during the right range of the throttle tip-in. This is particularly critical when running high-sprung or unsprung racing clutches, as releasing clutch engagement will lead to shudder.
2) Resting your hand on the shifter. Good drivers (especially racing drivers) keep two hands on the wheel as much as possible. This means minimal time on the shifter. Never watch drifting drivers - they obviously have skills but they race on a closed course well below the limits of the car and so their inability to react quickly is not a problem. Not only that you'll wear out the shifter knob and the slightest pressure on the shift knob will increase wear on the shift forks.
3) They don't rev match. On the street it takes only a gentle rise of the throttle or pause to let rev's fall - try to release the clutch so that the clutch does no work at all.
4) They rest at traffic lights or stop signs with the clutch in. While it's certainly necessary in many cases, the throwout bearing does heat up and since throwout bearings typically die of lubrication failure, this always shortens the life. When the car is stopped, put it in neutral and let out the clutch. It takes only a split second for a skilled driver to put it in gear and get moving. Your reaction time is zero if you're watching the light cycle correctly.
5) Resting foot on the clutch pedal. Like the right hand, there is a correct place for the left foot when you're not shifting, and it's the dead pedal, not the clutch.
David
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
When not shifting, the shift lever needs no control whatsoever . . . I suppose there's the possible exception of finding oneself in a car that kicks itself out of gear from time to time due to abuse or wear.
Norm
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
RE: expert street driving manual transmission
He put the shifter in first and braced his arm. He said it just about dislocated his shoulder. The owner drove with his/her hand on the shifter and had worn the shift forks to the point that the synchro would no longer fully engage. When that happened, the synchro sleeve would push back on the shifter with a LOT of force whenever the throttle was opened. It was impossible for even a strong person to hold in gear. Hopefully, the OP's friend will not have to learn this the hard way.
RE: expert street driving manual transmission