Clutch Release Methods

rmorrow

Waga Waga,
I have driven MT's for many years. The 370Z is not the easiest car to shift SMOOTHLY, especially with shifts between 1st and 2nd. The short throw shifter and synchro-rev match help some.
If you are just learning, part of the problem with a tired leg/foot or jumpiness is due to being tense. Shifting a car is muscle memory...after awhile it just happens without really thinking. In fact, you reach a point where you shift by feel, without even looking at the tach. Where you rest your foot or heel, ankle manipulation versus entire leg, etc. is going to result in paralysis by analysis. The key is really how smoothly you can release the clutch while simultaneously engaging the throttle. Starting from a stop and shifting between 1 and 2 is what you need to master. The best suggestion I can offer is to go to a wide open parking lot after hours and practice starting from a stop, and 1st to 2nd over and over. You can feather the clutch pedal as long as you do not ride the clutch pedal, until you start feeling more comfortable. Get used to shifting and then dropping your left foot on the floor or on the dead pedal, clear of the clutch. Even the best operators shift poorly (not as smoothly) at times. We all work on perfecting our shifts to get as smooth as possible. With the 370Z, especially 1 to 2...it is always practice to perfect. That is per-FECT.

Trips

Pactice Practice Practice and more Practice.

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WAGAWAGA

ahha thx a lot rmorrow, that is what im doing, but i definitely need more practice

Kyle@STILLEN

In the OP's defense...I see that he lives in Riverside. I don't doubt that his leg gets tired!!! I do everything I can to stay away from the freeways in Riverside because it doesn't matter what time of the day it is or what direction you're traveling, the freeways are just stop and go the whole way!

To the OP- Everyone's driving style is different and there is no right or wrong way. If you have found a method that works for you then stick with it!

rmorrow

Exactly right. Everyone has their own method/style, and stop and go traffic will wear your leg out, regardless of how relaxed you are. I can still remember my tension and anxiety when I was the first car at the stoplight. I hated being honked at, so I was really nervous about getting started in a timely and smooth manner. It is really embarrassing to stall with folks waiting behind you. Just keep practicing and you will get comfortable and proficient.

m4a1mustang

Hey, I sit in traffic for up to two hours one way!

Plus, I though the was referring to only a few clutch operations.

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Kyle@STILLEN

I HATED that feeling when I first started out! I hated sitting at the stop light just waiting and by the time the light turned green I would psych myself out and probably stall because of my own nerves!

And keep in mind, every one stalls every now and then! I learned how to drive manual when I was 13 in one of our supercharged Maxima's and I've driven everything from 150 horsepower cars to 600+ wheel horsepower Ford GT's and I still accidentally stall something as low power as a Kia Soul every now and then...It happens...Don't get frustrated with yourself or hard on yourself...I've even been in the car with Steve when he stalls...No one is perfect!

Whenever I teach any of my friends to drive manual I always take them to an empty parking lot and tell them to simply focus on starting from a dead stop to a full release of the clutch and cruise through first...do that a couple dozen times. Then go from 1st to second a couple dozen times until you get rid of the kangaroo juice, then go from second to third a dozen times...after that you should be fine! I've taught a lot of my friends to drive manual cars this way. Give yourself a couple hours in an empty parking lot.

SkyZ

very good advice on this =]. if i might add its a matter of preference. I used to do what you did (keep my heel on the floor) with the BRAKE pedal. u know pivot between gas and brake, but recently i switched to moving my whole leg on the brake, instead of just pivoting. felt weird at first but got used to it. anyways point of the story, u'll get used to it. nothing feels natural at first. like riding a bike ^^

hdskull

I feel you bro, I'm actually in the exact same situation. My car now has 260 miles on it.

There's actually a thread on this forum that talks about shifting from 1st to 2nd:
Shifting 1st to 2nd

I found this car much harder to drive compared to my friend's MK4 GTI.

I wish there was a 370z owner near me that can give me some tips.

Matt

Haha Kyle @ "kangaroo juice"! +1

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"Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

rmorrow

I wasn't going to admit it...but I have stalled my Z once since I got it...first in line at the stop light...behind a dude on a Harley...ugly picture
That might be an interesting thread...unless it is already posted somewhere...how many have stalled their Z's and how often has it happened...
Did you hear that Waga Waga...it has happened to many of us...maybe all of us.

Matt

I haven't stalled yet, but the 3 different people that I let drive the car have. It's like a curse! They ask to drive it, start it up, and stall when they try to take off. Nerves, I guess.

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"Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

TreeSemdyZee

Sounds like you might have your seat too far back.