ant13

I just bought my first stick shift car and have been a bit concerned on how I've been using the clutch. I've been looking around online but haven't found an answer to a question that I have which is, will I wear out or burn my clutch if I hold it at the friction point while reversing and getting the car moving in first gear? My main problem in first is getting down the transition from clutch to gas without making the car shake/jolting or stalling the car. With reverse I typically just hold my clutch at the friction point while giving it no gas. Also another thing I've found myself doing is when shifting from second and up I do the following:
clutch-->shift-->quickly release clutch all the way-->gas

Should I try this instead?
clutch-->shift-->slowly depress clutch and transition to gas

Also when downshifting I do this:
clutch-->4th,3rd,2nd,1st

Or should I try this:
clutch-->4th-->clutch-->3rd-->clutch-->2nd-->clutch-->1st

Im not sure if what Im doing is ok or not so I figured I'll see if you guys had any input on it. All help will be appreciated!

uncl3j0n

Sort of on the same page as you but Im pretty sure when downshifting you can just shift to neutral and then go into whatever gear you need. Also I dont think it really matters how fast you release the clutch after 2nd, going slower may even be more harmful.

redbull-1

When I drove manual transmissions, I would do the following:

Clutch-->fast or slow release of clutch while pressing the gas pedal (kind of a balancing act) depending on the type of driving I was doing. Pressing the gas pedal in sync with the release of the clutch will prevent any shake/jolt or stalling.

Generally for downshifting, my sequence was like clutch-->4th-->clutch-->3rd-->clutch-->2nd-->clutch-->1st

But if I was trying to come to a fast stop, I don't go through the whole sequence of 4-3-2-1, just downshift a few gears quickly while braking then shift into neutral before fully stopping.

hatchdrvr

Ease on the gas while letting off of the clutch.
You don't have to downshift in sequence. Just take the car out of gear and select whatever new gear you wish.
Pressing the clutch doesn't matter as much, you can either let off the gas and press the clutch in or press the clutch in while letting off the gas.

ant13

Thats another thing I was kinda wondering about. So it its cool to drop into neutral and just skip gears when down shifting? I was kinda afraid to do lol.

poorman212

And to help with "finding" the right spot/balance. On a level road/parking lot, you should be able to slowly release the clutch without having to give it gas......I did this with the kids and it seemed to help them find that balance.