Newby advice
 

Hi all,

New to the Z (2 wks old w/ 400 miles) and the forum. I need some advice from you all.

When launching in first gear from stop, do you recommend revving till 1.5 - 2K before taking the foot off the clutch? I am finding that if I take the foot off the clutch w/o revving it to 2K-3K, the car does not launch smoothly.

Other than burning a bit more gas, am I burning my clutch if I rev till 2K-3K before taking the foot off the clutch?

I have driven other "smaller" MT cars (scion, Mazda3) before and have not had this issue before.

Much thanks for your advice!

I blip the throttle and start releasing and just let it catch. IT takes a bit to learn the Z clutch. 1.5-2k is about right though.

Over time constantly dropping the clutch will increase wear but 1.5-2k isn't really that severe.

Wow, clutch control and starting off just isn't really taught in the states, is it? :(


I see so many people trying to keep the revs down low and not pick them up to set off, this is wrong! - Clutch movement should be smooth and revs should be raised in unison with how fast you're trying to set off.

Learning to drive a clutch isn't taught at all in the states... I really wish it was.

neither are round-abouts...

you mean a manual gearbox

I suppose I did :bowrofl:

First of all, your condescending tone in the first line is very refreshing!

If you read other posts on the forum, you will find that Z's clutch and release point have been an issue for a lot of people. As I stated, I HAVE driven other cars with manual gear box. I find that the engagement point is relatively high on the clutch in comparison to other cars. There is a narrow window on the Z to smoothly pick up the car. I am sure I will get better with time - it's only been a couple of weeks with the car. I wanted to know what people rev starting off in first gear before there clutch engages.

Please don't take it personally, it's a general reference that i've observed over the last 8 years.

I do know about people having problems with the Z clutches, but i have to say, i don't notice the same thing others do, i don't have a problem. I have the advantage of coming from the land of constant corners, speed up, slow down, hills, and gear changes on manual transmission being the norm. Automatics are rare, fact, it's about the inverse of auto/manual here compared to there.

You could do better on the 370 by having a look for the thread with the lower tension spring for the pedal, it improves feel greatly by all feedback. I suggested the teaching reference as there is no set 'start off revs' it's something you feel for with the weight of the car and the way the engine/clutch combine for the whole package.

Thanks!

Yes, i agree that's a good place to start.