I know this is stupid, but I now own an 5 speed 1998 Integra GS. I'm not great at 5 speed, actually its pretty much only first gear that is hard. I think most people would agree that 1st gear is the hardest. I can cycle through 2nd - 5th gears no problem, its just first. I usually try to just roll through stop signs in second gear, slowing down only enough to see if there are cops or traffic. Very stupid idea, I know, but its only cause I'm not to great in first. Anybody have any tips? My mom his driven it and she is flawless at it, but I can't drive with her in the car, I drive so much worse, so it never helps having her around. Thanks to anybody who can help me.

 

Take it to a flat parking lot and just let the clutch out slowly at idle to learn the clutch engagement. You should feel, hear, see (tachometer) the engagement.

 

I know the clutch engages at the top. Where could I adjust it to come off lower?

 

Practice,Practice,Practice,Practice,Practice, you get it don't give up.


Modified by spoonfed95 at 11:20 AM 7/26/2004

 

there was a thread just like this on t-i.net. Look for it.

Some good advice on that road.

 

Hmmm... I have a question. Do you guys keep your heel(sp) on the ground while you shift or do you move your whole leg up and down. I've been shifting with just my heal on the ground moving the ball of my foot back and forth. My mom's friend showed me and told me that moving your whole leg is much easier. Now I have to get used to it. I will practice it, this is the car I wanted and I will learn to drive it.... like a bat out of hell.

 

Women have smaller feet than men. I start engaging with the foot on the floor. I don't think I lift, but I never pay attention.

 

also just don't cruise with your foot resting on the clutch, it will screw up your throw out bearings and ****

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dogginator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Women have smaller feet than men. I start engaging with the foot on the floor. I don't think I lift, but I never pay attention.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, I lift the entire foot for the clutch.

 

lift your foot off the floor to shift, i remember i was at your level not too long ago, it's gonna take some practice and a lot of shutters/stalls to get it right, remember that revving higher is a lot better than revving too low in first gear, let your foot off reeeeeal slow too and you can't miss it. then when you get used to it, rev way too high and let your foot off really really fast

 

Don't forget the e-brake trick if you find yourself caught on a hill...

 

everyone says flat parking lot, what I actually did to get a good feel for my clutch was go to a parking lot with a small hill, enough so the car will roll in one direction or another. I just backed down and drove back up, over and over, until I got a feel for the clutch and could start comfortably on small hills. I say it's worth a shot at least. A driveway of decent length with a small hill would work well too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian_TII &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't forget the e-brake trick if you find yourself caught on a hill...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh yeah, another trick it to cut the wheel left or right when starting on a hill. It lessens the initial slope a bit.

 

WHOMG... my mom finally went off and told me I was doing it wrong. I was putting too much of my attention to the tach waiting for the 'right' RPM then just letting off the clutch. Now about the only time I look at the tach is when I hear the RPM curve around 3k. I'm sure I'll be able to do it all by sound soon.

 

two words...mommy owns j/k

just partice driving. My g/f use to be bad at first but it okay now