Hi guys, I recently moved out and bought an 08 Civic SI. It does not come in for another month or so and I was wondering, how do I efficiently drive stick with it? I've only been used to driving auto's (tercel, IS250 awd) so I am very very clueless/bad at driving standard. My buddy took me out the other night to learn on his Cavalier and I stalled the car and few times So what I'm asking is, what are the rpm's I should shift at to the next gear? How do I get it going from a dead stop?

Can you guys provide me with some tips on how to drive the SI? I got a month to learn and figured I'll get as much info as possible. Thanks guys!

Oh ya, I'm not looking to F&F the car, I just need it to get me from point A to B and back, so hopefully I don't come off and some ignorant jerk to you guys, much thanks in advance :D

Edit - It's the coupe SI

 

I think you should have bought a LX 5 speed. Sounds like it would have fitted you better, but it could be me.

 

From a dead stop put it in first and slowly let out the clutch, the car will start inching forward and then press the gas..eventually you will be able to get it down..as far as shifting you can hear the engine make almost like a whistling sound..but basically it doesnt really matter too much when u shift..usually between 2500 and 3000rpms. Make sure the car is completely stopped before putting it into Reverse..Make sure the e-brake is down before trying to move..Make sure it is in gear all the way before letting out the clutch or you will hear an ear-piercing grinding sound that..i dunno what else im just trying to give you some pointers..

 

It's kinda hard to explain. It's something you basically have to get better at with time and practice. We could tell you the basics.....but it seems like you already know that part. It's just a matter of coordination with the clutch and gas and getting it right so you don't over-rev or stall. You have the basics down.....the rest just comes with practice.

Just know that the Si is not a hard car to stall out. And it also revs very easily so burning your clutch won't be too difficult if you're not careful.

Here's a tip....if you find yourself on a steep upward incline, use the e-brake so that you wont find yourself coasting backwards a little too fast. As you get better you won't need to use the e-brake anymore on inclines.

Don't get mad if you stall out alot.....it will probably happen. And don't panic if you over-rev a few times. That will probably happen to. Just try to minimize it as much as possible. If anything try to learn on another car if you can before getting your Si in. Nothing more embarrasing than stalling out as you wave goodbye to your salesperson.

Good luck!

 

welcome...as for any advise, the "feeling" of your left foot on the clutch is the point of matter...just start from a stand still and let go the clutch slowly and youll feel whe it starts to grab and the car starts to move, then apply some throttle and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...you will master the clutch in no time...good luck!

 

first off, congrats on the 08 si. the si is a very fun car to drive

as 07sicpe kinda mentioned, use your ears. you can hear when to shift rather than having to depend on the tachometer.

also, i suggest learning to rev match for a smoother ride in your si.

 

Step 1: Learn the Gears

Learn the location of and feel of passing through the gears. First learn to shift the gears without the car running (pushing the clutch in each time). Then, from the passenger seat, try it with someone else driving the car and operating the clutch. Be sure to place the stick all the way into gear--until it won't go any more--but don't force it. If you stop halfway, you will hear an incredibly unpleasant grinding sound which means your car is not in gear.

Eventually, you will know when to shift by feel, but early on you'll have to act deliberately. Even if you've never been in a car before, you can tell when a car is in the appropriate gear: the car's not making a coughing and chugging sound (gear too high) but it's not making a high-revving sound either (gear too low).


Step 2: Start it up

Put the car in neutral before starting, or you will jump ahead. Leave the shifter into neutral while the car warms up. Alternately, start the car in gear with the clutch pedal pushed to the floor, then shift into neutral, release the clutch pedal, and let the car warm up.


Step 3: Protect the clutch, yourself and the car

The clutch is the mechanism that allows the gears to transition back and forth smoothly. If you pull the car in or out of gear without using the clutch, or release the clutch only halfway into gear, you will hear an amazingly unpleasant sound. Avoid this.

It's difficult to avoid some sort of wear and tear on the clutch when learning how to drive a stick shift. If you go slowly at first and pay close attention, you can feel (in your feet) where the clutch engages and disengages. If you learn that well, you'll put less strain on your car. You'll also be able to drive any stick shift more smoothly from the get-go.

Avoid needless acceleration when the clutch is partially engaged. When at a stoplight, don't get in the habit of holding the clutch in for more than a few seconds or you will have other problems down the line. Instead, put the car in neutral while stopped for any period of time.

Popping the clutch: Invariably, you will miss your gear (or release the clutch too quickly) and the car will lurch ahead. Often at the outset, you will pop the clutch too quickly and stall the car. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. Just get those exercises out of the way before you find yourself in bumper-to-bumper traffic. .


Step 4: Find the G spot

Here we are at the most important junction of the stick shift world: the door to acceleration. Driving a stick shift is all about that magical place where the clutch comes up and the gas pedal goes down. It's that seamless place where the gears are shifted and the car accelerates. Let's take first to second on a flat road as an example: First gear going steady, clutch in as you come off the gas quickly, then off the clutch slowly while pressing in the gas.

That place in the middle where the clutch pedal is to the floor and you're off the gas is where you take the shifter from first to second. Get those feet and hands used to working together.

Here we go once more:

* Revving high (around 3000 rpms or at 15 mph).
* Clutch in and gas off.
* Move the shifter smoothly from first to second.
* Slowly off the clutch while pushing on the gas.
* Completely let your foot off the clutch and gas it up.
* Same time next gear!

Step 5: Now try downshifting

Downshifting is the act of moving appropriately to lower gears while slowing down. This is the essential difference between the operation of an automatic transmission and one of manual persuasion: downshifting not only helps you slow the car, but it also puts you in the right gear for the speed. Downshifting is your friend - especially in bad weather or on hills, where immediate braking can be dangerous.

Keep in mind that you may shift down only one gear or simply apply the brakes. Again, knowing your range in each gear will help determine what's needed.

While downshifting, move from clutch to brake while in gear. This will help you slow down without revving too high between gears.

If you are driving 45 mph in fourth gear and come upon a stop sign ahead:

* Push in the clutch and shift down to third while using the brake.
* Let the clutch out slowly to avoid high revs.
* Next, do it again into second before you stop.
* Don't downshift into first!

Step 6: Learn the subtleties of reverse

Be very careful in backing up. The reverse gear is very quick and can jump out at you. To get into reverse, sometimes you need to run the shifter through the other gears first with the clutch in.

The clutch is key while going in reverse. Since reverse is so quick, let out the clutch slowly and push it back in while using the brake if necessary; you will likely be able to back out of any spot with this simple measure.


Step 7: Win the hill challenge

Find a hill with little traffic. Use your emergency brake when coming to a stop. When the light turns green to go, shift into first, start to accelerate slowly as you release the clutch pedal, then release the emergency brake just as you feel the car engage the gear. This way you are using the brake to keep you from rolling back. If you stall, put on your brake and start again.


Step 8: Remember the parking brake

It is important to note that the emergency brake is very important when parking a stick shift car, because there exists no "park" gear to keep the car from rolling. Some rely only on the pull-up emergency brake, usually sufficient in most situations. But for extra safety, leave the car in gear AND use the emergency brake.


Step 9: Practice these scenarios

In the neighborhood, 25 mph: Start, 1st gear, change to second gear, run either high rpm in second gear or low rpm in third. Sometimes run high to low second gear depending on speed.

On the highway: High rpm in fourth and fifth onto the highway at the appropriate speed, then sixth.

Going down a steep hill: Keep the car in a gear that will aid the braking process, the engine sounds like it's working but not screeching. You may press the clutch in and out to further complement your braking.

 

hear is a cool vid i found on you tube


hope it helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqtctkznYjk

 

My 06 Si was the first stick I ever had, and upon picking her up from the dealer, I learned (to drive, not drive well) it enough to take her home alone. I don't care what anyone says. The hardest thing is taking off. So many people explained it to me wrong.

Here is the easiest way to learn without stalling at all the redlights. (this isnt as good for the clutch but you will learn to handle it better.)

Most people say "slowly let the clutch out and give it gas as you let out" and yes this is how you shold do it, but when learning stick your feet arent exactly that coordinated and you stall. So instead, give it some gas (about 2k rpm) and then slowly let out the clutch. The car will run down to around 600rpm before stalling so if you get below 1k just give it some more gas.

As noted before, this is not the way you want to continue to drive your car. This will just keep you from stalling.

Eventually you will get to where you know how much gas you need to give it and how much clutch to let out where you launch smoothly. Good luck, hope I helped.

 

It's not technical, just get in and try, you'll get it down in an hour.