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I'm having some problems with clutch control in traffic. Basically I'm releasing the clutch too slow, sometimes when I'm at a traffic light it turns red right as I start moving so it's pretty bad. If I have understood correctely there are several different ways to start moving, (either you rev the engine first and then release the clutch or get to the biting point first and then rev the engine). I'm using the technique where you get to the biting point first and then rev the engine, problem is that it takes me a very long time to reach the biting point. The other technique sounds pretty ineffective because then you have to use the hand brake in hills and small elevations.
This is how I do it in a situation when I'm approaching a red traffic light and move off when it's green: I press the clutch fully in and apply the brakes, I hold the brakes and clutch fully in. When it turns green I start releasing the clutch very slowly, when I feel like I'm at the biting point I release the brakes and start to apply gas and then I fully release the clutch.
The thing is that it feels like it takes me an eternity to reach the biting point. Are you supposed to release the clutch fast until you reach the biting point and then start releasing it slowly? I've watched some Youtube vidoes and they're like "Just release the clutch super slow and you will never stall yada yada yada", but when I do that I miss the green lights.
If the light has time to turn red, then you are releasing clutch waaaaaay too slow. By now you should have a good idea where the "biting" point is, and you want to get there as quick as possible, then slow down to avoid stall, and be pushing gas as you reach "biting" point.
If this proves too much of a challenge, trade car for an automatic.
I'm having some problems with clutch control in traffic. Basically I'm releasing the clutch too slow, sometimes when I'm at a traffic light it turns red right as I start moving so it's pretty bad. If I have understood correctely there are several different ways to start moving, (either you rev the engine first and then release the clutch or get to the biting point first and then rev the engine). I'm using the technique where you get to the biting point first and then rev the engine, problem is that it takes me a very long time to reach the biting point. The other technique sounds pretty ineffective because then you have to use the hand brake in hills and small elevations.
This is how I do it in a situation when I'm approaching a red traffic light and move off when it's green: I press the clutch fully in and apply the brakes, I hold the brakes and clutch fully in. When it turns green I start releasing the clutch very slowly, when I feel like I'm at the biting point I release the brakes and start to apply gas and then I fully release the clutch.
The thing is that it feels like it takes me an eternity to reach the biting point. Are you supposed to release the clutch fast until you reach the biting point and then start releasing it slowly? I've watched some Youtube vidoes and they're like "Just release the clutch super slow and you will never stall yada yada yada", but when I do that I miss the green lights.
If the light has time to turn red, then you are releasing clutch waaaaaay too slow. By now you should have a good idea where the "biting" point is, and you want to get there as quick as possible, then slow down to avoid stall, and be pushing gas as you reach "biting" point.
If this proves too much of a challenge, trade car for an automatic.
Practice makes perfect. You just have to keep at it. This was a problem when I was learning on a manual. Plus, my father made me nervous (probably because he was nervous too.) He couldn't figure out how to tell me to get to the biting point and then slow down. He just kept yelling at me to let the clutch out, and I'd often wind up flooding the engine. The take-off is the hardest part in driving a manual. Once you master that, the rest isn't so bad. I mean, when I finally got the car going, I could shift gears pretty easily. Don't give up on it yet. I'd suggest finding an empty parking lot and practicing the take off there.
... I'd suggest finding an empty parking lot and practicing the take off there.
Ditto. You're making this more difficult than it really is. Get yourself to an empty parking lot (school, church, Walmart after closing). Relax and just let it happen. If you're not on an incline (headed uphill), you don't need to keep the brake on after the light turns green, and after you get a handle on this, you won't need it unless you're on a pretty steep uphill incline.
I don't know how long you've been practicing, but it does take awhile. I've taught several people to drive sticks -- ex-wife, son, daughter, girlfriend and more. They were all about the same -- a few stalls, some not-so-smooth shifting, trouble on uphill starts, lots of laughter. After 5-10 hours of practice it'll start becoming second nature, especially if it's all done in the same vehicle. Others on the road won't know if you're driving a stick or an automatic.
For my kids, after they were fairly competent with the stick, I'd set a partially filled drink cup on the dash over their laps. It taught them to knock off the herky-jerky starts and shifts. Smoooooooth is the goal. Neither of them ever spilled the drink, and both of them became very adept at smoothly operating a manual tranny. (In reflection, the drink idea probably was NOT the best idea I've ever had, but since it never spilled, it served its purpose well.)
However, if it takes the complete light cycle for you to get moving from a traffic light, get off the road and into a parking lot for some more practice -- hopefully a parking lot with a little bit of a hill.
Also, if your car has a hand-operated parking brake, don't be afraid to use it on steep inclines. With enough experience you may not need it, but there's always the pinhead who'll pull within inches of your rear bumper on a very steep incline, and it's nice to have a hand brake to use -- if you're lucky enough to have one. If you don't have one, practice some steep hill starts, then practice some more. Rolling backwards only a few inches could cause damage to your car and the one behind you, so practice until there's consistently zero rolling backwards, even from the steepest start-up.
I'm having some problems with clutch control in traffic. Basically I'm releasing the clutch too slow, sometimes when I'm at a traffic light it turns red right as I start moving so it's pretty bad. If I have understood correctely there are several different ways to start moving, (either you rev the engine first and then release the clutch or get to the biting point first and then rev the engine). I'm using the technique where you get to the biting point first and then rev the engine, problem is that it takes me a very long time to reach the biting point. The other technique sounds pretty ineffective because then you have to use the hand brake in hills and small elevations.
This is how I do it in a situation when I'm approaching a red traffic light and move off when it's green: I press the clutch fully in and apply the brakes, I hold the brakes and clutch fully in. When it turns green I start releasing the clutch very slowly, when I feel like I'm at the biting point I release the brakes and start to apply gas and then I fully release the clutch.
The thing is that it feels like it takes me an eternity to reach the biting point. Are you supposed to release the clutch fast until you reach the biting point and then start releasing it slowly? I've watched some Youtube vidoes and they're like "Just release the clutch super slow and you will never stall yada yada yada", but when I do that I miss the green lights.
Why did you buy a stick if you don't know how to drive one? You are seriously at risk of a road rage event if you can't even depart when the light turns green. How do you get anywhere?
1. Learn how to drive a stick, as per above suggestions in a parking lot, etc. Or find a friend or hire an instructor to teach you. There's no excuse for what you do at stop lights.
You have to balance gas and clutch, the car moves when the clutch let's go.
If you do give too much gas, press the clutch lightly to control speed. Same for too little gas, give just a touch of the clutch, until it balances out.
Build confidence in a parking lot, safe place to figure it out.
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