What are the advantages of a manual transmission?

irideflatland · 12-27-2005, 11:13 PM

I have never driven one, and I have only been in a car with one probably less than 5 times, so I have 0 experience points. Everybody that races has a manual transmission, so I figured it had to be good, but....

I was reading this article http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp and it sounds like a manual is really hard to drive and it makes it sound like it takes longer to shift. Like when it talks about letting out the clutch, I thought I could just push the clutch, shift, take my foot off and give it gas. But it says you have to slowly let off the clutch, so how do you get going fast from a stop? And why can't you just use your brake to slow down, why do you have to let out the clutch first?

Question not relating to the article: Can you be flooring it, and never take your foot off the gas while you shift?

the Shaolin UWP · 12-27-2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irideflatland

I have never driven one, and I have only been in a car with one probably less than 5 times, so I have 0 experience points. Everybody that races has a manual transmission, so I figured it had to be good, but....

I was reading this article http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp and it sounds like a manual is really hard to drive and it makes it sound like it takes longer to shift. Like when it talks about letting out the clutch, I thought I could just push the clutch, shift, take my foot off and give it gas. But it says you have to slowly let off the clutch, so how do you get going fast from a stop? And why can't you just use your brake to slow down, why do you have to let out the clutch first?

Question not relating to the article: Can you be flooring it, and never take your foot off the gas while you shift?

I can teach you how to drive a manual transmission in under an hour. It's really quite simple.

Advantages: Once you drive one, you'll never go back to automatic. Ever. Unless you're bobo :P

Better gas mileage

Faster shifts

Less stuff to break.

The hardest part about a manual is learning how to get rolling, because you have to let the clutch out slowly until it catches, hold it there until you've started rolling, and then let it out the rest of the way. It sounds complicated, but its' second nature once you're actually behind the wheel. I've even taught 5 or 6 girls how to drive...no guys.

When the clutch is in, or the shifter is inbetween gears, it's the same as putting the car in neutral. So, no, you couldn't leave your foot on the floor, because you would be flooring it in neutral. I guess you could if you shifted really fast, but there's no reason to abuse your car like that.

Going fast to a stop: You can put the car in neutral, and just brake, but even automatics help with braking somewhat. I do lots and lots of engine braking. If you're doing 35 in 4th gear, coming up to a stop sign, you put it in 3rd, let out the clutch, let the car slow, put it in 2nd, let out the clutch, then put it in neutral and start braking. You'll probably only be doing 10 or 15 when you actually apply the brakes, saving alot of wear and tear on them.

You know my MSN if you have any other questions.

irideflatland · 12-27-2005, 11:47 PM

But why can't you brake without letting the clutch out?

lpredline6986 · 12-28-2005, 12:02 AM

What do you mean? "WHY CANT YOU BRAKE WITHOUT LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT"

irideflatland · 12-28-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpredline6986

What do you mean? "WHY CANT YOU BRAKE WITHOUT LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT"

In the article it says to always depress the clutch before using the brake.

vms150 · 12-28-2005, 12:14 AM

they are way more fun

Cool1Net6 · 12-28-2005, 03:05 AM

I believe if you brake without letting the clutch out you are also braking the engine, and thats more for the brakes to slow. You also can stall the car. For example, if your doing 35 in 4th and you brake without pressing the clutch to like 15 or 10, the engine will be going so slow it couldnt run anymore and it stalls. I also think clutch + brake is good technique.

God I wish I had a manual...

-Cool-

KevinSC1 · 12-28-2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irideflatland

But why can't you brake without letting the clutch out?

I haven't read the article (been driving a stick for over 10 years - I know what to do

), but you should only have the clutch in when 1) you are shifting gears and 2) when you are stopped (and then you should put it in nuetral & let it back out).

You might want to check out

http://standardshift.com/

Lots of helpful folks, even if some of them think that everyone should heel/toe and rev-match every shift.

gn85 · 12-28-2005, 03:22 AM

I don't know if you can shift faster than an automatic. I think it depends on the auto. Some autos are trying to shift smooth and seemlessly which makes for slower shifts sometimes. Even more modern autos retard timing in the engine and regulate the pressures in the tranny to make for a syncronized motion. But if you have a tranny built for racing, it will bang gears and shift pretty darn fast. Not trying to put down a manual, just bringing that point up.

I'm a big fan of manual shifting. That's one of the reasons I love driving the Saturn. Let's me row the gears. Big fun factor!

Funny side story. My fiancee has a hard time driving automatic because she was born and raised in Europe and always drove with manual. When she tries to drive my truck or Buick, it takes a little while to get the acceleration and braking down.

irideflatland · 12-28-2005, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinSC1

but you should only have the clutch in when 1) you are shifting gears and 2) when you are stopped (and then you should put it in nuetral & let it back out).

Why can't I keep it in 1st when I am stopped?