Clutch Release Methods

WAGAWAGA

Hi all,
I recently got a Z and this is my first manual car.(Hope i dont get blazed)
I wanted to learn stick using a different car, but there were no oppurtunities so i ended up practicing with the Z. So far i can drive it around without stalling, and theres only 300 miles on this car. Okay let me tell you what i do.

From N to 1st i always plant my heel to the ground and release it by rolling of my foot. It was working well but i noticed i couldnt shift quickly from Reverse to 1st, because when i roll the clutch off my foot with heel planted, the clutch is starting from the arc of my foot after Reversing, and not the toe/ball area. So i have to go into neutral let go of clutch and depress it again.

I have searched some forums and saw that most manual drivers tend to use their whole leg to release the clutch with the heel completely off.

So i tried this method the other day, and reversing is fine but going from N to 1st is really hard to control.

So here is my question for you veteran drivers:
How do you guys release the clutch? and if there are techniques to be more precise with the clutch. I know practice is important but i dont want to practice wrong and learn a bad habit thanks.

-Thomas

m4a1mustang

I don't plant my heel for the clutch pedal.

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shadoquad

I use the whole leg and just ease it off. Not easy to describe the sweet spot, and every manual vehicle you drive will have a different feel.

But I engage/release the clutch with the whole leg and rest my heel on the carpet in front of the clutch when not in use. If I'm cruising for a long time on the highway, I use the dead pedal to the far left for comfort.

Other folks may vary.

kenchan

my left heel is partially pivoted off the floor.

WAGAWAGA

Does that mean the heel touches the floor? Whenever i try using my whole leg the clutch seems to push my leg back at the engagement point which gets my leg tired. its like a spring shoots the clutch backwards

m4a1mustang

It shouldn't really tire your leg out unless your leg is made out of twigs.

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shadoquad

I know you're gonna hate to hear this... "You'll get used to it" tm

Again, you have to get used to the operation. As I said, I use the whole leg to engage/release the clutch, but I rest it right there in a prone position between shifts.

dirTy_shoeZ

i use my whole foot, and its actually more comfortable once u get in the rotation of things..but thats just my opinion.

btw...to the guy with the bc 370z....that color is the ****

shadoquad

Ty ty. What color is your Z?

kjay82

well, this is my first stick shift as well.. i've had it for about 4 months now and have about 4k miles on it..

i know exactly what you mean.. it does get hard and since every car is different, it's hard to explain to others so they could teach you..

From just my experience and trying to learn little stuff here and there from other peeps, this is what i found out..
this car has a lot of torque... A LOT! this with the combination of the accelerator being very sensitive, it's hard to match and get the "sweet spot" while balancing your clutch and gas..

after trying numerous things, i came to a conclusion where more gas = better shifting.. (not too much, just a tad over needed..)

from N to 1st gear, i give it a little more gas and use my clutch to control the speed.. i keep my foot down on the gas at a constant and slowly let go of the clutch.. as you're letting go of the clutch, the car accelerates.. and then, i hit ~ 3,500rpm and shift to 2nd.. from 3rd on out, it should be easier to shift gears since your car has enough momentum..

my biggest problem is or was, i'm so used to driving automatics, i'm always imagining driving my manual car like one... i just got over the fact that the transition from 1st to 2nd will NEVER be as smooth as an automatic.. lolz..
it took me a while to get over this..

if anyone else reads this and i'm wrong about something, please correct me for i am still learning right now.. as i mentioned above, this is my 1st stick shift as well...

hope this helps..


ride on~

spearfish25

Engaging/disengaging the clutch is a whole leg maneuver. The Z has a pretty light clutch. If your leg is getting tired, you must be riding it out a long time and slipping the clutch. You'll prematurely wear the clutch that way, but you'll figure it out in time.

The best way to learn how to drive a manual appropriately is to have a knowledgable person show you first hand. You can read all you want, but you'll still have a good chance of doing it incorrectly. There are some good YouTube videos which you may find useful.

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6spd

dont forget that a good, smooth shift has as much to due with the simultaneous use of the throttle as it does the clutch.

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kenchan

yep, my heel is always touching the floor.

WAGAWAGA

I know what you mean lol, i noticed i cant come close to the smoothness of an automatic in upshifts. ill try out your method

WAGAWAGA

I see people do have different methods, ill just practice both and see which one im more comfortable with. btw what is slipping? i here this a lot but i have no idea what that means.