Driving with manual transmission questions

**Update: thanks for everyone's suggestions. Shifting at higher RPM's has pretty much solved both problems along with just getting practice in. Thank you!**


Hey guys,

Got some questions for ya regarding the manual tranny. Some background is I drove this truck brand new off the lot 3 weeks ago today with 0 experience (yes, cry for the well-being of the vehicle).. so I know it's got some breaking in to do. I also know it's a truck with the finesse of a tractor, not a racecar, and I probably have the finesse of a potato.

1. I guess i'm wondering at what point should I worry about notchy/clunky/crunchy shifter? I know it prefers to be handled gingerly, and 2nd/3rd gear will probably always be a bit notchy? When did you notice your shifting starting to smooth out during break in period? At what point am I taking all the blame for poor shifting?

2. 1st to 2nd shift makes me want to cry. Moreso for slowing down reasons. I've tried different shift points/acceleration.. shifts seem to be smoother at low rpm (~2k) and quickly after taking off.. but I basically slow down to a stop. I've tried higher rpm, or more gentle acceleration to try and keep momentum.. IDK. No matter what I do I basically almost come to a stop when shifting to 2nd, which makes me feel like a danger to society when someone's following behind me or trying to get on the highway from a stop. If I try to shift fast, I feel like i'm crunching the shifter, and if I try to be quicker with the clutch, the transition seems rough. The only thing I can think of is adding a bit of gas through the whole process but i'm afraid of wearing my clutch more than I probably already have. lol

Thanks for any responses to this thread. I know when it comes down to it the truck just needs to break in and I gotta figure it out.. just looking for some advice. Also, sorry if there are similar threads to this already.. tried looking but I guess I didn't see the answers I wanted ;p

 

You probably should find someone with experience driving manuals and have them help you out. They could probably eleviate most of your issues/concerns very quickly. One quick tip is make sure the clutch is going all the way to the floor when shifting.

 

Welcome to TW! When I purchased my MT in 2020, I hadn't driven a manual since my 1981 Toyota 4x4. Heck, I stalled the truck on the test drive! However, I've gotten much better since that first test-drive and shifting hasn't been a problem for me at all. It does appear to shift smoother between 3000 to 3500 RPMs, but I really just concentrate on a steady clutch pedal release to maintain a smooth shift. I've considered the ADM, but so far, I'm pleased with my truck's performance. Please note, even though I've owned the truck for a year now, I only have 1,700 miles on it; I've got a 2004 Tacoma (until my daughter takes possession in another year) and my daily driver to run.

 

Don't blame the truck. I had a 3rd gen manual and it drove fine. I have 40+ years driving a stick tho. I have also driven a friend's manual Tacoma. It drove fine. Every manual vehicle you drive is a bit different but you quickly get used to it.
Honestly, I don't know what possessed you to buy a new manual transmission truck when you don't know how to drive the thing. I don't know if you have priced out the clutch and pressure plate but they are not cheap and are not covered under warranty. You probably should have learned on a beater that cost less than a clutch replacement in a Tacoma.
Good luck and remember... be smooth. Smooth on clutch release, smooth on shift, smooth on gas and smooth on brake. You will eventually get the hang of it.
Lastly, the shift from 1st to 2nd feels different than the shift from 2nd to 3rd. The shift from 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th is different than 5th to 6th. It is the nature of a manual and a function of torque.

 

I'm taking this to mean you have never driven a manual before - and if so good for you! And congrats on your new truck!

A lot of your concerns will come with experience. There is no break in period for the transmission so to speak, it's just you learning what works best for you. My advice would be to just drive as much as possible until it feels natural.

I personally take things slow, because as you pointed out it's a truck, not a racecar. Be light on the gas, then all the way off it before you clutch, then press all the way down with the clutch before shifting gears. You can speed up with time. The gentler you are on the gas pedal, the less jerky the shifting will be. There are things that can help, but get the basics down, first.

 

My personal recommendations are the ADM (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mt-accumulator-delete-mod-adm-and-bs-thread.568303/) and pair it with the OVtune or Coyoza tune.

 

Thanks! That would be ideal.. I just don't know anyone that drives stick. I make sure to depress the clutch fully.

Hmm.. i'll try shifting at higher rpm's again. Thank you!

Thanks for your reply! not necessarily blaming the truck, just going based off what I've heard. I had an auto taco beforehand so it was an easy trade, having two vehicles wouldn't make sense, and beaters around here either don't run or go for more than 5k. Weighing the pro's and con's, ultimately decided to just go for it. I also think I caught on reasonably quick, just working out the finer stuff.. i'll try to work on smoothness. Thank you

Thank you, I imagined it is solely experience. Not having issues with jerkiness, just speed I guess!

Thanks, i'll check it out

 

1. Shifting into 1st and 2nd had slightly more effort when I first bought mine, but nothing like my family's old F-250 which was extremely notchy even after 200K miles. After a few thousand miles the Tacoma smoothened and now is a tad bit easier. This isn't to say it is night and day difference and you should wait for a "break-in" period where its easier. Just a slight change in the way it feels, not functions.

2. You definitely shouldn't be coming to a stop when getting the truck into 2nd. 2K RPM shifts may be fine in other engines but this one likes higher RPMs, I would say don't shift out of 1st until around 3K, maybe more if on a hill or if needing to get a quick start for whatever reason. Accelerating some allows time for a more controlled clutch and shift action, too. You can try going into the neutral position briefly in between shifts to see if that smoothens it out. My old Jeep liked that so I typically do this from 1st to 2nd out of habit.

I would say on a spectrum of manual transmission passenger vehicles I've driven this is on the easier side overall (if only slightly because of the reverse gear lol). If you're still having trouble after awhile ask someone with experience to ride with you and help.

 

Only issue that I ever had was reverse took a little to break in. It was a little stiff to get it into reverse for the 1st 1k miles.

Stock clutch grabs early on in the throw so even if you dont push the clutch 100% in, then you are still fine.

 

I 100% agree with everyone one else, in that it will come with experience. I would just go ahead and find someone who has more experience as they might have all kinds of knowledge nuggets to help based off how you are driving.

My taco is only my 2nd manual vehicle. My first was a 2008 Mazda 3 with a 5 speed. I honestly thought something was wrong with the truck, and wasn't for sure if I even like the way the truck shifted at first. That little car was soon smooth. The tacoma, not so much.

Something that could help is adding a weighted shift knob to it. I bought the Ashkio from Raceseng, but there are probably cheaper options out there as well. The extra weight helped smooth out some of the clunkyness on mine, but I also have the URD short throw shifter.

As for shifting in general, don't worry about shifting fast. Just focus on being smooth. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Edit: Also, good on you for getting the manual! #SaveTheManuals

 

There’s some good advice here already. A few more tips to add/clarify from my experience with owning several manual vehicles:

If all your shifts are clunky then ensure you depress the clutch quickly all the way to the floor, you only release it slowly. If you are releasing it slowly and it’s still clunky, you need to be giving it more gas.

Giving the truck more gas won’t necessarily wear out your clutch more, especially if you’re so slow on the release that you’re engine braking (this sounds like the case, you shouldn’t lose more that 1-2 mph on the 1 to 2 shift.) I’m usually coming out of first between 3000-3500rpm at 10+mph. Releasing the clutch without sufficient throttle will brake the vehicle and wear our the clutch more than giving it more gas to “rev match”.

Find a friend to give you some tips from the passenger seat! I came to this truck from a Subaru Impreza, and had an old 90s Pathfinder before that. All three were unique, all three shifted smoothly after a couple days finding my shift points. Have fun, focus, and make small corrections!

 

Things will smooth out with miles. Take your time and have fun with it.

A big change for me is always the MT fluid. If things don't smooth out, consider swapping in Redline MT-90. Plus, a massive vote for the ADM. That thing is doing nothing but adding confusion when you are trying to work on pedal feel.

That's a bit harsh, don't you think? Everyone starts somewhere.

I got the opportunity on extended fam's and friend's MTs. My wife learned on her first new car by the sales guy, much like the OP.

I found that the syncros took a bit of time to break in on mine, esp 1st and 2nd.

 

Sorry. I (and probably you too) didn't learn to ride a motorcycle by jumping on a brand new bike right? I started with a dumpster bike held together with duct tape. Ilearned then got a slightly better bike. I learned and kept progressing. That was my point. Even when I started riding mtn bikes and could afford top bikes I started with a Walmart bike to learn.

 

Manual driver since 1974..my gawd. Three on the tree '64 Fairlane. Except for company vehicles I always had a manual. The '21 Taco seemed very odd to me at first. He (the truck Nacho) and I are getting broke into each other. The first week I was very concerned that something was very wrong. My conclusion: it's a learning curve, timing, RPMs, speed, sound feel etc. In low gears in traffic it's nothing to brag about but will get along just fine. Good luck, take it easy drive like and old man for a while and you will be fine.

 

Well said..

For both M/T 3rd gens I've owned, rev and 2-3 were the "chunkiest".

Like butter now.

 

Right... but she already bought the Taco. Why "scold" now?

 

Bingo. Find someone with experience and go for a drive.

 

Also...

Proud of you for learning something new outside your comfort zone. And asking for help. Good job. You will get the hang of it.

No one was ever born knowing how to drive a manual transmission.

 

I recommend you find a road with minimal traffic where you can practice getting your truck moving through the gears from a standing start. A place where you don’t worry about other traffic and focus on the technique of driving a MT.

Make sure seat is adjusted so you can reach clutch and push to the floor. You want to be able to operate the clutch, using left leg/foot, without having to move or strain the rest of your body. When starting, the clutch should be released gradually and fully once you feel the vehicle moving. Allow the truck to gain speed (at least 10mph) and then depress clutch fully and go to 2nd. Then repeat through upper gears until you are at highway speed. It just takes practice until you are in synch with the truck. Try not to stress out. Relax and enjoy an awesome vehicle.

Do not ride the clutch. It should either be fully depressed (foot to floor) or engaged (pedal up). On a hill, stop and leave truck in first with clutch to floor. You can use emergency brake to keep from rolling backwards. When ready, gradually release clutch, engage accelerator, and release brake so vehicle moves forward. You need to practice this and get comfortable.

When slowing from highway speeds, learn to “downshift” meaning to move to the gear that is appropriate for the speed you are reaching. Again, change gears by fully engaging clutch. Practice Practice Practice

Be careful not to lug your truck by operating with a higher gear than appropriate for speed. Example don’t drive at 20mph when in 4th. Always use a gear that allows the engine to accelerate without hesitation or shaking.

Congratulations on owning a Tacoma. Don’t be shy! Get out there and enjoy the MT. You can do it!!

 

My first bike was a used machine, but it was like new. An air cooled 750 that seemed to top out at about 120 by either drag or speed wobbles. It didn't stay like new for long.

Still though. The Taco is robust enough for someone to learn on.


In general, I buy what I can afford so that there are no regrets just over the horizon. For most of my life, I was only able to afford vehicles if I did my own work on them. It was a stark realization that we would typically be driving some really low rent stuff if a shop was involved.

If it feels odd to you in comparison to other MTs, consider the ADM. The accumulator is just messing with you.