First gear help / tips ?

evil370z · 12-13-2014, 12:46 AM

ok guys, i got my 2014 Z last night and it has like 250 miles on it. first gear is the only problem. i get the car moving sometimes and sometimes i end up stalling. the engagement point is kinda high. i been reading some forums and it says rev it up to 1.5k - 2k and let off the clutch slowly. every other gear and downshifting i am perfectly comfortable, just first gear.
I'm going to keep practicing around my block.

my friends told me the clutch has to settle in since its a brand new car but still. only thing bothering my is first gear.

any product out there to make the engagement point a bit lower and smoother ?

rjm clutch pedal system ?
or
removing the helper spring ?

Chuck33079 · 12-13-2014, 12:50 AM

You've had it a day. All you need is practice.

evil370z · 12-13-2014, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

You've had it a day. All you need is practice.

yeah you're right, it can be a bit frustrating, going to keep practicing tomorrow.

Trips · 12-13-2014, 01:06 AM

I highly suggest to wait till you feel real comfortable with the car before you start modding it.

I presume this is your first sports car and I highly suggest to take it easy and never for the time being turn off the vdc.

Your safety is important as if you follow directions you will avoid an accident with an innocent person whom might be one our family members.

evil370z · 12-13-2014, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trips

I highly suggest to wait till you feel real comfortable with the car before you start modding it.

I presume this is your first sports car and I highly suggest to take it easy and never for the time being turn off the vdc.

Your safety is important as if you follow directions you will avoid an accident with an innocent person whom might be one our family members.

i never turn vdc off, and i drive normal, not race mode, i want to get the hang of this car / manual transmission. I'm going to keep practicing around my block or empty parking lot till i get used this clutch.

MJB · 12-13-2014, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil370z

ok guys, i got my 2014 Z last night and it has like 250 miles on it. first gear is the only problem. i get the car moving sometimes and sometimes i end up stalling. the engagement point is kinda high. i been reading some forums and it says rev it up to 1.5k - 2k and let off the clutch slowly. every other gear and downshifting i am perfectly comfortable, just first gear.
I'm going to keep practicing around my block.

my friends told me the clutch has to settle in since its a brand new car but still. only thing bothering my is first gear.

any product out there to make the engagement point a bit lower and smoother ?

rjm clutch pedal system ?
or
removing the helper spring ?

Everybody has trouble with 1st gear when first learning manual. That is the only difficult part about it. You need to find the sweet spot, basically the point where the clutch grabs. You should go to an empty parking lot, put it in gear, and without even touching the gas, just slowly let off the clutch pedal till you feel the car moving... do that a bunch of times so you'll learn where the engagement point is on the pedal. Muscle memory my friend... practice makes perfect.

evil370z · 12-13-2014, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

Everybody has trouble with 1st gear when first learning manual. That is the only difficult part about it. You need to find the sweet spot, basically the point where the clutch grabs. You should go to an empty parking lot, put it in gear, and without even touching the gas, just slowly let off the clutch pedal till you feel the car moving... do that a bunch of times so you'll learn the engagement point is on the pedal. Muscle memory my friend... practice makes perfect.

plan on doing that tom, i was doing that, but i just need more practice and ill get it.

DOOMMONKEY777 · 12-13-2014, 01:48 AM

Y r u still posting then? Go and practice, thats what i did and also commute in stop n go traffic, u know how it is, ur from NY.

ajm216 · 12-13-2014, 06:35 AM

I have been driving manual for years and when I got the 370z first gear was taunting me, now its like an old friend.

Try wearing the same shoes when you drive it will help you with finding the engagement point.

You need more seat time to get used to the car.

Enjoy it!!

Driftomodachi · 12-13-2014, 06:52 AM

You have to get used to it. Before I got mine I stalled every 370z I drove lol the dual mass flywheel realy numbs the feel of the engagement point

Zoren 370 · 12-13-2014, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil370z

plan on doing that tom, i was doing that, but i just need more practice and ill get it.

You'll get the hang of it. The Z is not comfortable shifting when new it feels tight and I occasionally miss engage a gear. Thanks for the synchro rev it did not jolt the car that hard and make me look like an amateur.

The beauty about the Z as you go along past 2k miles things getting better and better faster and faster! The next thing you notice is that grin on your face evertime!

lpsscc · 12-13-2014, 07:09 AM

Recommend the spring change at some point... tons better than stock.

God-Speed · 12-13-2014, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

You've had it a day. All you need is practice.

Just give it some time and be patient. Oh and like Chuck said, practice, practice and practice!!!

sunkist350z · 12-13-2014, 10:13 AM

When I first was learning manual I practiced on a small inclined hill to get the feel of the clutch...1st gear is the hardest, after that its a piece of cake. Practice makes perfect

Chuck33079 · 12-13-2014, 10:21 AM

Go to an empty parking lot. One with no poles or parking blocks. Park in a space with another one behind it on the next row. Reverse into it. Stop. Drive forward into the original spot. Stop. Repeat until you get a feel for first and reverse.

12-13-2014, 12:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
evil370z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: New York Posts: 365 Drives: 14 touring/sport/6MT Rep Power: 12	First gear help / tips ? ok guys, i got my 2014 Z last night and it has like 250 miles on it. first gear is the only problem. i get the car moving sometimes and sometimes i end up stalling. the engagement point is kinda high. i been reading some forums and it says rev it up to 1.5k - 2k and let off the clutch slowly. every other gear and downshifting i am perfectly comfortable, just first gear. I'm going to keep practicing around my block. my friends told me the clutch has to settle in since its a brand new car but still. only thing bothering my is first gear. any product out there to make the engagement point a bit lower and smoother ? rjm clutch pedal system ? or removing the helper spring ? __________________ 2014 White Tour/Sports Package 6MT , RJM Adjustable Clutch Pedal, GT-R Start, Stillen CAI, Z1 25 Row Oil Cooler, Motordyne E370, Swifts, 20mm/25mm, SPL Rear Camber TOTALED 10/24/14 2013 Black Tour/Sports Package

12-13-2014, 12:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	You've had it a day. All you need is practice. onzedge, Footloose301, JARblue and 4 others like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

12-13-2014, 01:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I highly suggest to wait till you feel real comfortable with the car before you start modding it. I presume this is your first sports car and I highly suggest to take it easy and never for the time being turn off the vdc. Your safety is important as if you follow directions you will avoid an accident with an innocent person whom might be one our family members. kidkotic2001, JARblue and DEpointfive0 like this. __________________

12-13-2014, 01:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 21	Y r u still posting then? Go and practice, thats what i did and also commute in stop n go traffic, u know how it is, ur from NY. carlitos_370z, DavidZ370 and NoLaKrewe like this. __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

12-13-2014, 06:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
ajm216 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: MD Age: 57 Posts: 76 Drives: 2014 370z Silver 6MT Rep Power: 16	I have been driving manual for years and when I got the 370z first gear was taunting me, now its like an old friend. Try wearing the same shoes when you drive it will help you with finding the engagement point. You need more seat time to get used to the car. Enjoy it!! mishuko likes this. __________________ 2014 370z with Sport Package Brilliant Sliver 2006 Brilliant Silver G35 6MT Coupe Sport / The infamous Oil Consumption defect ended our love affair

12-13-2014, 06:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
Driftomodachi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Cerritos, CA Posts: 482 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 13	You have to get used to it. Before I got mine I stalled every 370z I drove lol the dual mass flywheel realy numbs the feel of the engagement point cooltoy likes this. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary ll GT-R start button ll GT-R map lenses ll Plastidipped fangs and rear valence ll OEM foglight & switch ll Motordyne E370 Cat back ll Motordyne ART Pipes ll Takeda aFe Attack CAI ll Sprint Booster ll Z1 34 row Setrab oil cooler ll Z1 Motorsports M-Spec Shift Knob

12-13-2014, 07:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
lpsscc Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 75 Drives: 40th, Altima SE-R Rep Power: 13	Recommend the spring change at some point... tons better than stock. onzedge likes this.

12-13-2014, 10:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
sunkist350z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Z-land Posts: 1,009 Drives: 2012 370z sport 6-sp Rep Power: 55341	When I first was learning manual I practiced on a small inclined hill to get the feel of the clutch...1st gear is the hardest, after that its a piece of cake. Practice makes perfect

12-13-2014, 10:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Go to an empty parking lot. One with no poles or parking blocks. Park in a space with another one behind it on the next row. Reverse into it. Stop. Drive forward into the original spot. Stop. Repeat until you get a feel for first and reverse. onzedge and JARblue like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

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