Driving Stick Behind Slow Drivers... Tips?

[iKevin.f]

I just purchased my second car, a 2002 Mazda Protoge5 which has a manual transmission. My first car on the other hand was an automatic, so my experience with standard trans is very low at this point, so I'm looking for a few good tips.

So I'm still playing around with starting in first gear and getting a smooth acceleration, but for the most part I'm ok with it; the odd time however, I have rough start. Now, I've run into a few situations where I'm stopped at a red light with one car ahead of me, and when the light turns green, the driver ahead of me starts moving EXTREMELY slowly and keeping at an incredibly low speed with little to no acceleration, seriously, they only drive at about 10 km/h for a good 30 sec. Now, what I want to know is, what's the best way to drive stick in a situation like this without having the car jerk around a bit? The reason I ask is because I can't seem to get a smooth accel since I'm not able to give it too much gas. Any tips?

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Stick = gears?

Rule of thumb is always pull away in first, then move to second and upwards as the ride demands.

In such a situation, I would generally go to second, but my car has a nice level or torque and can deal with it.

However, you can't get a smooth accelleration in first? Why?

[IceBreakerG]

One thing you can do, which is really dependent on how much torque your car has, is to start in 2nd gear. Another thing you can do, but isn't really good for your clutch, is to "slowly" let off the clutch until you feel it starting to slip, then give it a "little" bit of gas to keep it from stalling. Since you're starting out, I'd go to an empty parking lot or street and practice for a while (not good to stall in traffic). Once you get comfortable with the clutch, and knowing when it starts to grab (this will be different for every car), you'll be able to do this comfortably. Manual transmission cars can go slow too :)

[iKevin.f]

Stick = gears?

Rule of thumb is always pull away in first, then move to second and upwards as the ride demands.

In such a situation, I would generally go to second, but my car has a nice level or torque and can deal with it.

However, you can't get a smooth accelleration in first? Why?

Well I can get a smooth acceleration when I'm starting at what I considder a normal speed. But when I'm going too slow, let's say while behind one of those slow drivers, it feels a bit rough.

One thing you can do, which is really dependent on how much torque your car has, is to start in 2nd gear. Another thing you can do, but isn't really good for your clutch, is to "slowly" let off the clutch until you feel it starting to slip, then give it a "little" bit of gas to keep it from stalling. Since you're starting out, I'd go to an empty parking lot or street and practice for a while (not good to stall in traffic). Once you get comfortable with the clutch, and knowing when it starts to grab (this will be different for every car), you'll be able to do this comfortably. Manual transmission cars can go slow too :)

Yeah I could go in second in situations like that but you sometimes don't know if the driver is a slow one or not, so usually I'm in first. Beyond that, and I don't know if this is good, bad or just the way my type of car is, but the clutch seems to need some good level of precision to get a smooth accel. Other standard cars I've driven have been a bit more... I don't know, forgiving. I guess maybe the "bite point" (as I've heard it's been called) is a bit bigger on the other cars I've driven. Mine, on the other hand, seems to have a smaller bite point, so I'm not used to it fully. A friend of mine took it for a spin when I first got it and mentioned that the clutch is sensitive, and even he made it jerk around a bit.

I dunno, maybe I just need a little more practice. Again, I'm okay for the most part, except when accelerating slower than I'm used to.

[revvo]

Like IceBreakerG said, torque plays a big role here. Civics produce barely any torque, so with my car it's possible to crawl very slowly on 1st gear. If you have something like a TDI with much more torque, just playing with the clutch (although slippage is bad) is more than enough to move in traffic.

Either you use and burn more the clutch, but stick closer to the car in front which I think is bad

or leave some space, burn less clutch, but have more people cutting you over because you're letting them in.

[Sikh]

When im in situations like these, usually I tend to get angry, but being my 2nd year driving a stick everyday, I can tell you give them enough space and then go, as you get to 2500 shift to second and keep your foot close to the clutch.

The jerking your talking about happens in some cars because of the torque and in first you cant just give it gas and slowly let off, youll get rough / jerkiness. I learned that the 2nd day of driving my car and had to figure out what to do. Basically learn your car, its gonna become second nature too you. As soon as that happens your naturally know when to shift, when to put it in neutral and ride, when to keep a slow accelration / foot REALLY close to clutch, etc.

If I can make a video ill show you what I mean. Took me a while to figure it out, but the ONLY person i knwo that drives a stick and does what I did is an employee at my mechanics shop. He told me it was the easiest way to "crawl" in any stick. Only time you shift to second is depending on your car and how fast it reaches 2500 or shifting point.

Me, ive driven a few beamers/vws/mazdas etc. They all basically do good in first till you get to 2200 then if you shift to second, second handles everything in these cars.

DO NOT START IT IN SECOND or Slip it. Or plan on saving up money for a Clutch.

[rathefeare]

I think it has been well covered already, but the best solution in my book is to let some more room develop between you and the car ahead. The downside there is that you sometimes get a car to cut you off in between, but really so what. That costs you maybe 20 seconds in your travel time. If 20 seconds is worth the stress and the increased use of the clutch then ride that clutch and suck right up to that car in front of you.

I do look at clutches a bit different than most. The clutch is a wear item. It is designed to wear out and be replaced. You don't burn out a clutch anymore than you burn out your brakes. You can use both of those items up faster by abusing them though.

[BGM]

i just hang on the clutch until they get their ass moving, this obviously is not too great for your clutch :D

i don't drive manual any more so it's a bit tricky to remember, but you could also slip it in to neutral?

[spikey_richie]

Just tease the clutch out but keeps the revs up so you don't stall.

[tsutton]

Looks like you just need more practice, that's all.

Soon enough, you'll be able to drive off without the car stalling. :)

[revvo]

If you want to keep the clutch floored the whole time in traffic, I think that wears out the throwout bearing. You're better off just putting it in neutral if you think you won't be moving for a while.

[MR_Candyman]

If you want to keep the clutch floored the whole time in traffic, I think that wears out the throwout bearing. You're better off just putting it in neutral if you think you won't be moving for a while.

Thank you for knowing what you're talking about. A lot of people argue that having it in neutral is hard on the transmission. I have no idea where this argument stems from, but it is nonsense.

[SyntaxError]

With enough practice, you can drive stick at walking speed from a dead stop, without slipping the clutch, no matter how much horsepower or torque your car has.

No one can just tell you how to drive stick, you must practice and develop the coordination and pedal control.

Practice makes perfect.

+1 for the parking lot idea.

[revvo]

Thank you for knowing what you're talking about. A lot of people argue that having it in neutral is hard on the transmission. I have no idea where this argument stems from, but it is nonsense.

Yeah it's because those people mix up automatics with manuals. I forgot why it's bad on an automatic, but they probably assume that it's also stressful on a manual transmission.

[medium_pimpin]

Just don't let off the clutch all the way.

Once you get good at it, you'll never want to go back to an automatic. At least, I never do.

[Growled Member]

Just tease the clutch out but keeps the revs up so you don't stall.

That's the way I use to do it.

[cork1958]

Just don't let off the clutch all the way.

Once you get good at it, you'll never want to go back to an automatic. At least, I never do.

Yeah,

There you go. Ride the clutch all day!!

Might as well try and ride the brakes all day also, once you get it going!

Let's burn 'em all up!!

This is one time where practice does make perfect.

I'll never buy another automatic again, except for maybe a winter beater.

My first car, back in 1976 was a stick, and I've had (at least) one since. Currently have Ford Ranger and Jeep TJ that are sticks.

Love 'em!!

[BGM]

i've recently bought my first automatic..

won't be going back to manual if i can help it :D

[lemonbear]

i've recently bought my first automatic..

won't be going back to manual if i can help it :D

i can see your point, manual can be a pain especially on up/downhill starts. you shouldn't have to ride or 'tease' the clutch if you are competent at driving manual, that's just silly.

[BGM]

i can see your point, manual can be a pain especially on up/downhill starts. you shouldn't have to ride or 'tease' the clutch if you are competent at driving manual, that's just silly.

i have paddles too, so i can still have fun ;)

[peacemf]

i have paddles too, so i can still have fun ;)

congrats on the automatic!

its soooo much more relaxing, all you have to do is accelerate and brake!

best bit is easing up on the brake during traffic!

[Dashel]

You simply need more practice with the throttle, shift earlier, and give the guy ahead of you more room.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

As others have said, you just need to practice more... you'll get used to driving in any situation soon so that you don't even think about what gear you're in and just "do it" naturally. Find yourself an parking lot and just practice low speed driving such as this.

Pulling away slowly from traffic lights should be nothing more than lightly building the revs, letting the clutch out till it's fully engaged and just gently resting your foot on the throttle.. the car should almost pull itself along at the slowest speed without any throttle input from yourself and then as the slow mover up front gets their act together, just gently onto the throttle, build up the revs and into second and off you go :)

[SyntaxError]

Once you get good at it, you'll never want to go back to an automatic. At least, I never do.

Try driving a flatbed truck with $30,000 worth of windows and other building materials on it, where you have to deal with hills that have red lights on top, and traffic.

You will change your tune real quick and learn to avoid certain places.

I learned to drive stick 18 years ago. It's been nearly 6 since I've driven stick and I don't miss it one bit. Though I did enjoy it.

[SimplySchizo]

i've recently bought my first automatic..

won't be going back to manual if i can help it :D

i know, after driving manual/stick for such a longass (10+yrs) time, especially in such congested roads such as the ones i have to deal with, i dont want a damn thing to do with it. automatic ftw. i went from driving a civic lx stick to a magnum rt auto.. im in heaven!

as for being behind some tourist, downshifting and mashing the gas worked well for me.