I just got my nhbp si yesturday but ive never driven stick so my uncle was giving me lessons. I have 1st gear down okay i am still working on reverse but i def smell my clutch burning here and there. Is it bad for the car to keep stalling out how does it effect any type of internal. I also hit vtec with only 45 miles on the car i had too it was calling me but the car feels really smooth and sounds great so i dont think i have damage anything. I know these cars are built really strong so i am sure it can take a little beginer's abuse any feedback would be great i am new to this and need all the help i can get.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WILD_WILL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just got my nhbp si yesturday but ive never driven stick so my uncle was giving me lessons. I have 1st gear down okay i am still working on reverse but i def smell my clutch burning here and there. Is it bad for the car to keep stalling out how does it effect any type of internal. I also hit vtec with only 45 miles on the car i had too it was calling me but the car feels really smooth and sounds great so i dont think i have damage anything. I know these cars are built really strong so i am sure it can take a little beginer's abuse any feedback would be great i am new to this and need all the help i can get.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not going to make an elitest post about how "OMG you don't know how to drive a MANUAL?!?!?!".

But I will state that you probably want to do most of your manual transmission learning in a car that doesn't have much get-up and go. If you can find a friend/relative with a beater, that would be the best.

If you can't, then I guess the suggestion to "take it easy" on your new car while it breaks in and you learn would suffice.

Also save up for a new clutch assembly for after a year of driving

 

It can take some beginner's abuse, but as you are learning, you are probably teaching yourself bad habits that will eventually smoke that clutch.

If you smell it burning, you aren't getting off the clutch fast enough, and you are holding it too long on the way out. If you keep driving like that, you won't be very happy with the repair bill.

Lastly, a manual car should never be something you learn to drive in, unless you specifically take lessons in one, or are taught in safe conditions. It won't be long before you are placed on a hill, or in some panic situation that requires experience with a clutch, and you might end up in some deep trouble.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MonkeyConQueso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also save up for a new clutch assembly for after a year of driving </TD></TR></TABLE>

Good call, he will need one.

Wild Will, it is important to remember that after first gear you do not need as much clutch action as in First. As long as you car is rolling, you do not need to hold or press in the clutch. Only when you are starting or shifting is when you press it in. Not necesary to push it to the floor either. Take much time and practice to learn to drive manual. Keep driving and keep leanring about your car to understand how it works.

 

Yep, you will need a new clutch in a year without a doubt. Words of advice:

1. The car can operate at 4mph without stalling out (it'll start to buck at 3). So in other words, DONT PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE CLUTCH UNTIL IT DROPS BELOW 4mph. When taking off, you can remove your foot as soon as the car moves forward.

2. Don't keep your foot on the clutch any longer than necessary. This will burn it out quick. I expect you'll have the most problems in reverse.

3. Practice makes perfect. So don't get discouraged.

 

PRATICE on a diffrent / lower price car!!! why would you want to pratice on a brand new car? lol pratice pratice pratice just like anyone would say it

a friends car or familys car someone else has to have it ????


Modified by gus738 at 7:47 PM 9/21/2006

 

I dont have another car to pratice on at all other wize i would its just not an option so i have no choice.

 

don't worry.. take it easy.. I drive stick for like 3 yrs, and i still do stupid stuff (sometimes)..

 

**** on lower cars... i learned on my SI didnt take me long at all... id say within a week i was 95% stall proof. About the only thing im not GREAT at, is steep *** hills... egh...

Also, VTEC at 75miles? Wow... I duno if that was good but i hope for you it didnt hurt. I waited until 700 before I hit it hard.

Edit: also, haha the last time i smoked my clutch was doing something dumb infront of a friend... other than that... no probs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WILD_WILL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont have another car to pratice on at all other wize i would its just not an option so i have no choice.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Try to rent one.

 

vtec at 45 miles is fine.... how many of you people bought your Si's with over 30 miles on it? Anyone who test drove it has hit vtec... hell probably even the person who drove it to the gas station to fill it up! Are all your cars damaged... i dont think so.

Again, you shouldnt be taking it to redline every shift...but you arent hurting anything...

 

I only hit vtec like twice other then that i shift around 2500,3500, or 4500 rpm i wont hit vtec again until after 700 miles i guess. I was curious what is the worst thing for the tranny in a manual car i havent grinded any gears is that the only thing that would mess it up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blue rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">vtec at 45 miles is fine.... how many of you people bought your Si's with over 30 miles on it? Anyone who test drove it has hit vtec... hell probably even the person who drove it to the gas station to fill it up! Are all your cars damaged... i dont think so.

Again, you shouldnt be taking it to redline every shift...but you arent hurting anything...</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2 - I don't have any issues with mine, and I hit VTEC with 10 miles on it. Made sure to properly breakin the car after the first weekend, which I hit 700 miles the first 2 days in the car.

 

proper break-in is just not full redline and low rpm shifts ?

 

Are you asking something or making a statement?

 

Oh sorry i am asking thats why i put the question mark lol.

 

Okay.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WILD_WILL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">proper break-in is just not full redline and low rpm shifts ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You want a variety of shift points throughout the break in process. This information is in your manual. Often times, people will just tell you to drive the car as you normally would. Since you are inexperienced to dirving manual, you will want to follow the manual to a "T". Make sense?

It will also help your comfort level when to shift or how the car should feel when driving.

 

just a quick funny story, ive been driving stick since my first car, and yes there is always that one stupid STall that i just laugh at every now and then, the other day, i was in front of the mall, mad kids outside, i was just chillin and i stalled by accident and when i stalled my elbow hit the horn and everyone looked at me, it was quite funny.

 

Nice. I have had a few of those in my time as well. Always comes at a bad moment. lol

 

Hmmmm