Worried

Hi I own a 2009 Tac standard shift. My wife wants me to teach her how to drive a standard but I am a little worried that she may damage the engine, clutch etc.. while learning to drive. Is this a valid concern . . . . . do I need to be worried? Is there much she can do that could damage the truck?
Thanks

 

You can damage the clutch eventually if you keep stalling or ride it too much. It's normal to ride it some, especially on hills, but dumping the clutch or stalling every single time every day will eventually damage it. Nothing wrong with learning and I'd recommend that she does. I've had three manual cars and my wife, girlfriend at the time, would never learn. If you were to get sick, or drunk, how would you get the truck home if she didn't know how to drive it?

As far as recommendations, just have her stay calm. Keep the RPMs low at first but once the clutch starts to grab it will want to drop more in RPMs. Just give it a tad bit more gas. Once the clutch starts grabbing, you can then start giving more gas for how much clutch you release. Hope that makes sense.

 

I wouldn't be worried. I've taught a few people on my vehicles and even the worst driver would have to try pretty hard to do any serious damage while learning. It'll take the beating.

 

Come on bro, this is your wife ( not some stranger off the street) we are talking about, and no offense, but we are talking about a truck that is 6-7 years old and not a 50K vehicle!

I dont think its a valid concern, we all learned how to drive stick with someone elses car/truck, and 99.99% of them didnt blow up the tranny or burn out the clutch.

Dont stress, after a few times she'll pick it up quick and all your worries will go out the window.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drive-manual-tacoma.377073/

 

been teaching my wife to drive as well. Its very hard to explain exactly how to do it smoothly. I told her not to shift like a sports car when shifting push in the clutch and ease the shifter into second and let out smoothly no need to slam it as quick as possible. She's doing better but has stalled mine a lot. Best of luck to you.

 

It will be fine, kudos to her for wanting to learn. You could always start in 4 lo to get a feel for the clutch and make it easier. I taught my then girlfriend/now wife to drive a manual in my old mazdaspeed 3, fully bolted with a spec stage 3 clutch. If she can do that, teaching someone on a tacoma should be easy enough.

 

I totally agree....!!! Nicely worded!

To the OP - If for whatever reason she can't get the hang of it (and you'll know)..... Trade the truck in for an Automatic.

Seriously.....and some folks probably don't even think of this - but, if something ever happens to you (or a family member) forcing your wife to have to drive in an emergency situation.... and she can't drive stick?? Not good. You both need the ability to drive anything that's sitting in your driveway.

 

For the sake of your marriage and your sanity, have someone else teach your wife to drive a stick. If they use your truck, don't watch!

 

I have a fool proof method for teaching people to deal with clutches.

First, explain that the clutch controls the vehicle, The gas only makes it go fastrer and the brakes only stop it quicker. You can demonstrate by pushing in the clutch and pushing on the gas. Nothing happens. When she is behind the wheel, follow this procedure. When you start off, no foot on the gas. Slowly release the clutch until the truck starts to move. This is the friction point. Push the clutch back in and repeat until she is comfortable with the friction point. Play with this until she is happy with that. If she is patient, you can drive the truck on level ground without touching the gas in 1st gear. I have been able to get the truck going in 4th using this method, but it takes time and patience.

Then move on to full release. From there to full release should take 3 seconds. Get her to count off 1 thousand and 1, 1 thousand and 2 , 1 thousand and 3 as she lets it out. If she does it this way, there will be no jerking, If it jerks, she is not taking 3 seconds and re enforce the counting.

The advantage of knowing your friction point is that you can use this on hills to prevent rollback. It is a matter of playing with the gas and friction point. As long as you don't go stupid, you will not hurt your clutch. Don't try and hold it for a long time, just to get you going again.

Good luck and if you have any questions., send me a PM. I have used this method successfully on thousands of motorcylye students, my wife, 2 daughters and my stepson and have never had to replace the clutch.

 

Absolutely good point!!!

Coming from a woman's standpoint - she's probably nervous AS HELL to learn from him (the husband). She wants to learn... however.... Men don't have enough patience and expect us to learn it in 2 seconds. LOL

 

Here's one thing that helped me. My dad tried to teach me, I was super nervous with him, he didn't get angry or anything, just nervous. I got a cousin to teach me. If she has a friend or relative that can teach her, that might be easier. Trying to teach a spouse, or have a spouse teach you isn't always easy.....

 

Take her out to a dirt road and start teaching in 4low. Less likely to stall, as you can have her let out slowly on the clutch without giving any throttle. Once she gets the motions down you can switch to high range.

 

This is a funny thread

Just remember youll get laid soooo good if you stay patient and nice with her. Definite opportunity to earn some brownie points, and just encourage her to let the clutch out super slow. She and your truck will be fine

 

As I tell my wife "its just parts, if it brakes I will fix it"
Let her learn, if shit brakes it was meant to brake anyway. Fix it and continue. Most of the things are fool proof so her mishitting will not brake something that was not broken.
Stuff brake when "experts" do the shifting

 

Yep ^

If you're worried about breaking it you won't be a very good teacher. If you have no one to help with this maybe smash a bowl before hand to chill you out

I kid.... not really.... okay forget I said this

 

Just wear ear plugs so you wont hear the gears grinding.

 

Ear plugs, beer goggles (for you not her) and a spray bottle. She drags that clutch out too much just zap her in the face with water.

 

Did you destroy the vehicle you learned to drive a stick shift on?
Relax, and teach your wife well.

 

At the end of the day would you have married your wife if she wasn't good with a "stick" ?!?