girl trying to learn basic stick shift

Me too but i figured that suggestion was out of the question here haha

 

I sure hope this was a typo!!
Un-necessarily wears the transmission synchro's if you don't use the clutch.

 

Welcome to TW!!!

 

hello & welcome to TW!

 

hey thanks for all the help guys. i wanted to ask you a question about your post. you say hit the gas to bring up the RPMS to about 2.5k. do i just hold my foot down so it stays at 2.5 then release the clutch slowing while applying more gas? if i try to take my foot off at 2.5k, it drops so fast. i just wanted to know if i should keep my foot on there to keep it there until i have time to change the lever to 2nd then take out the clutch. also, when i let out the clutch to complete the downshift, do i just do it very slowly? or do i have to do it slowly while applying gas? thanks!

 

hahahahahaha you guys are dumb.
just help the poor girl out!

 

You just have to blip it, hit and and let go... go to youtube and search for rev matching or downshifting.

I wouldn't worry about any of that yet. Forget rev matching for now. Concentrate on using the correct gear at the correct time, focus on the basics and get to know your truck as well as practice your driving. Don't do too much too soon

 

this would be SO much more interesting in the underground

 

I agree... I tried to touch on the rev matching in my example...

I can drive anything from a civic to an 18 wheeler and only have to use the clutch starting from a dead stop... If you are good at rev matching, you don't need the clutch to shift between gears...

I don't recommend it unless you really know what you are doing...

Tune in next week for my lesson on how to "double clutch"...

 

I'm not saying don't us the clutch... I'm saying don't push it to the floor board... Unless you want to replace throw-out bearings all the time...

 

You have to "see-saw" it...you want to take your foot off the clutch w/ the same force/timing as you are using to push down on the gas.

Few things I used to get good at manual:

*Find a church parking lot and just do laps (safely) as practice.
*Never have the radio on when learning. Hearing your engine and being able to match the sound w/ the RPM helps a great deal. The more you hear it the more you get used to the best time to shift...plus I think its kinda dangerous to spend the entire time driving looking down at your gauges.

 

good advice... no radio... listen to your truck... practice...

 

If you have troubles getting it in gear sometimes, ease off the clutch a little bit, or double clutch even, you'll find it easier.

Either way, most of the main points have been covered, you'll be fine, just work on that feel for where the clutch engages, and not to add too much gas. Too much gas and you'll burn your clutch, too little and you stall, but I'm sure you've figured that out already. Your RPM needle should be a smooth transition when you shift, if its jerking, you're too rough with it. Sound good? Theres my tip for the day.. lol

 

while in 3rd gear at 2000K:
1. let off gas
2. step on clutch
3. shift to 2nd
4. tap gas until rpms reach 2500 and remove foot from gas
5. as soon as rpms hit 2500, let off clutch in a normal fashion (if you let off too slow, then rpms will drop, and you will put wear on your clutch you engage it)

Most important thing is practicing and getting used to what RPMs to rev to at different situations. For now, the most important thing to concentrate on is not stalling and not burning your clutch.

One situation that you find yourself in is slowing down from 45mph for that left turn. What you might want to do is let off the gas, step on the clutch, shift to the gear that you will use after turning (2nd gear most likely), and brake to slow down, with the clutch still being stepped on. As you reach the speed you will be turning at, release the clutch semi-slowly as not to make the truck jump.

If the truck slows down too much or makes too much noise as you let off the clutch, then step back on the clutch and shift to 3rd gear and try that.

 

Are you cute, and you drive a stick, sweeet. When stopped and it won't go into first, put it in second really quick then up into first. Start shifting down early, as long as your not reving it really hard your good. You'll save some break wear.
cu

 

Don't worry about the rev matching yet...

One thing you can do, as you coast down to stop lights, keep the truck in gear and shift backwards as you come to a stop. Play around with it until you get the feel for what seems smooth - just go from fourth, to third, to second, etc. You'll get it with practice. Don't worry about breaking anything. Unless your head is snapping back and forth or you're hearing some SERIOUS grinding and groaning you'll be just fine.

Oh, and don't worry if you're as smooth as some other cars you've ridden in. You're in a truck - it won't be as easy as a Civic to shift.

 

Driving a stick takes time to get it right. Once u master it u will enjoy it more than automatic. Always stay on gear but when u stopped. As time goes u learn to listen to your engine as to how it sounds and to use it as a guide to shift. On new 05 and after 6 speed tacomas 2nd gear is known to be not the easiest one of the six. Some times to get it real smooth u need to doublecluctch. Common when sticks had no synchromess. Also the drive by wire accelerator on these tacomas has got a delay that takes time to get used to. Dont worry as time goes by u will master it. Girls who drive a stick in my opinion are always cool. I myself have driven about a million miles with the stick and it surely beats automatic anytime.