Teaching someone to drive 6MT on the Z

Matt · 07-02-2010, 08:30 PM

I'm teaching my woman how to drive a stick shift, and obviously I started teaching her on my 1972 VW Bug. The problem? She was doing horribly so I tried her out in the Z....and of course she does 10000% better.

While she isn't riding the clutch at all, she is stalling quite a bit still and letting the clutch out VERY quick after shifts.

What kind of damage can this do? Now I'm all paranoid when I'm driving alone because I think I hear it making sounds I didn't hear before.

frost · 07-02-2010, 08:34 PM

At low speeds, you don't have to worry about letting the clutch out too quickly and stalling. At high speeds like racing, this could cause glazing on the clutch/flywheel, which would shorten the life. But again, you don't have to worry about that.

frost · 07-02-2010, 08:36 PM

PS, a 1972 VW Bug? Pics?

Trips · 07-02-2010, 08:37 PM

Its cheaper to have her learn in the vw. Once she get the hang of it she can move over to a more expensive clutch replacement car.

Matt · 07-02-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

Its cheaper to have her learn in the vw. Once she get the hang of it she can move over to a more expensive clutch replacement car.

That was my original idea, but she was doing things in the Beetle that I couldn't do on purpose if I tried. It was not going well at all.

@Frost: She still needs a lot of work, including new floor pans and a paint job, but she runs beautifully!

Cmike2780 · 07-02-2010, 08:43 PM

Obviously better if she doesn't do that, but as long as it's at low speed, you won't do too much to the car. It's not good for your motor mounts and transmission so limit it where possible. The clutch come up rather fast on this car, she needs to learn at which point it catches. Try letting her get the feel first, without the engine running. Then off to an open parking lot where all she focus on clutch feel and not hit anything. Practice with the bug. If she gets it right there, the Z will be a breeze,

Trips · 07-02-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

That was my original idea, but she was doing things in the Beetle that I couldn't do on purpose if I tried. It was not going well at all.

@Frost: I'll pull up some pics

But in the end when she's done. I would much rather burn up a older less expensive clutch than a newer one when it's obviously going to be out of pocket expense. That's your decision and money.

I hope she learns. practice practice practice.

frost · 07-02-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

But in the end when she's done. I would much rather burn up a older less expensive clutch than a newer one when it's obviously going to be out of pocket expense. That's your decision and money.

I hope she learns. practice practice practice.

I'm just not convinced that stalling out will really burn up the clutch. Again, as long as it's at normal speeds.

Matt · 07-02-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

But in the end when she's done. I would much rather burn up a older less expensive clutch than a newer one when it's obviously going to be out of pocket expense. That's your decision and money.

I hope she learns. practice practice practice.

She's definitely gotten better already, just by switching to the Z. I may have her go back to the Bug for a bit, as it may have been practice and not the Z's clutch that helped her improve.

She made it out onto a real road yesterday (instead of my subdivision's road around 10pm) and did well. No hills, but traffic lights and stop signs.

frost · 07-02-2010, 08:53 PM

I taught someone to drive stick, and it was not going well. One thing I did that really made a difference was not letting them shift, only working the clutch. So we went to a huge parking lot, and all he had to do was concentrate on proper operation of the clutch while I worked the shifter. That enabled him to learn the basics of the clutch without getting overwhelmed by adding in the shifting.

Matt · 07-02-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

I taught someone to drive stick, and it was not going well. One thing I did that really made a difference was not letting them shift, only working the clutch. So we went to a huge parking lot, and all he had to do was concentrate on proper operation of the clutch while I worked the shifter. That enabled him to learn the basics of the clutch without getting overwhelmed by adding in the shifting.

I didn't let her leave 1st gear for the first few nights. I've had her stop and go a few hundred times, getting used to just engaging and disengaging the clutch. It appears she may be done stalling in 1st, but now shes "popping the clutch" out really fast after going into 2nd or 3rd and it's jerking the car.

She'll get it soon enough, from what I can tell, I just wanted to get rid of any concerns that some damage may have been caused from the numerous, early stalls.

frost · 07-02-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

She'll get it soon enough, from what I can tell, I just wanted to get rid of any concerns that some damage may have been caused from the numerous, early stalls.

Is stalling bad for the car? - Yahoo! Answers

Does stalling a car damage the transmission? | Answerbag

How muhc can you stall before it does real damage? - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum

Can letting off the clutch too fast ruin your car? - Yahoo! Answers

You can read these, but they pretty much confirm my answer. Someone did make a good point that it's far better to let the clutch out too quick than too slowly.

Matt · 07-02-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

You can read these, but they pretty much confirm my answer. Someone did make a good point that it's far better to let the clutch out too quick than too slowly.

Thanks for the links. I'll check them all out.

That's what I told her too, at least to make her feel better, haha. I think that's the problem too. She's so afraid of "riding the clutch" that she's letting it out way too soon.

I'm trying to find the right way to tell her it's ok to "ride the clutch" while the engine engages, and that you have to keep the clutch halfway depressed for a second or two until the engine "takes over".

Good info, thanks!

LinPark · 07-02-2010, 10:39 PM

Well, I'm guessing the clutch in the Z is still under warranty so I'd go with that.

frost · 07-02-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinPark

Well, I'm guessing the clutch in the Z is still under warranty so I'd go with that.

"Wear" parts are not covered by warranty

07-02-2010, 08:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	Teaching someone to drive 6MT on the Z I'm teaching my woman how to drive a stick shift, and obviously I started teaching her on my 1972 VW Bug. The problem? She was doing horribly so I tried her out in the Z....and of course she does 10000% better. While she isn't riding the clutch at all, she is stalling quite a bit still and letting the clutch out VERY quick after shifts. What kind of damage can this do? Now I'm all paranoid when I'm driving alone because I think I hear it making sounds I didn't hear before. __________________ "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.

07-02-2010, 08:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Its cheaper to have her learn in the vw. Once she get the hang of it she can move over to a more expensive clutch replacement car. __________________

07-02-2010, 08:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	Obviously better if she doesn't do that, but as long as it's at low speed, you won't do too much to the car. It's not good for your motor mounts and transmission so limit it where possible. The clutch come up rather fast on this car, she needs to learn at which point it catches. Try letting her get the feel first, without the engine running. Then off to an open parking lot where all she focus on clutch feel and not hit anything. Practice with the bug. If she gets it right there, the Z will be a breeze, __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

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07-02-2010, 10:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
LinPark A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,077 Drives: '17 Camaro 2SS A8 Rep Power: 23	Well, I'm guessing the clutch in the Z is still under warranty so I'd go with that.