First gear help / tips ?

JARblue · 12-13-2014, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

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.

tnav · 12-13-2014, 10:30 AM

Practice taking off without gas, yes clutch only, 1-2-3 gear
Also, when driving, press the clutch only 1/2 way, rather than until you hit the floor

MJB · 12-13-2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnav

Also, when driving, press the clutch only 1/2 way, rather than until you hit the floor

Why? A beginner should always be taught to push the pedal all the way to the floor. His syncros will thank him later.

Chuck33079 · 12-13-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

Why? A beginner should always be taught to push the pedal all the way to the floor. His syncros will thank him later.

That's always what I thought too. Get to where it's second nature, and then figure out how little clutch pedal travel you can use and still shift smoothly.

tnav · 12-13-2014, 10:38 AM

Clutch is fully engaged 1/2 way, but mainly - the Z engages extremely high. Try it in your car and you will thank me. On my M Car, it is the complete opposite, if you don't press it all the way down, you will leave the transmission behind you. I tend the stall the BMW at times, since the Z is my DD

MJB · 12-13-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnav

Clutch is fully engaged 1/2 way, since it's hydraulic, you're right for old school cars. Try it in your car and you will thank me

I've been driving manuals for a little while now, thanks. For a beginner, he should be going to the floor with the pedal. I understand that the engagment point is about half way, but if he isn't in the sweet spot, he is going to be putting stress on the syncros. "Can't find it, grind it".

*OP, I forgot to mention, always keep your left foot on the dead pedal until you are ready to shift.

Merv · 12-13-2014, 11:06 AM

For me,I rest my heel on the floor and use the top of my foot to feather the clutch out. Probably helps that I have size 13 feet!

Just lots of practice man. Enjoy your new whip.

MJB · 12-13-2014, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merv

For me,I rest my heel on the floor and use the top of my foot to feather the clutch out. Probably helps that I have size 13 feet!

Just lots of practice man. Enjoy your new whip.

Dead pedal or resting your foot on the floor is fine. Just trying to emphasize to OP that you don't want to rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. You can wear out the clutch real quick that way.

mishuko · 12-13-2014, 11:59 AM

I usually let off the clutch until I feel the vibration/grab point in first then start gassing. It's a slower launch but atleast you get familiar with the engage point. Take it to a small incline and practice using the clutch and gas to practice standing still without braking once you are comfortable.

As others mentioned just take your time.

Spooler · 12-13-2014, 03:46 PM

Go out and practice without using the fuel pedal. 1-2-3, then stop and do over. After you get the hang of that, then add the fuel peddle into it. Don't cheat.

Yes, mash the clutch pedal to the floor being a newbie.

DavidZ370 · 12-13-2014, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOMMONKEY777

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.

LMFAOOO you've been hosting a roast session these couple of days

I like it

DOOMMONKEY777 · 12-13-2014, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

LMFAOOO you've been hosting a roast session these couple of days

I like it

Yeah i know i tried too keep it in, cuz Trips the moderator has deleted quite a few of my posts, that did have some heavy sarcasm in it, but hey as long as we have fun right.

jaedub · 12-13-2014, 05:45 PM

Get the RPM at about 7.5k and dump the clutch

Benibiker · 12-13-2014, 06:35 PM

The 350Z had an adjustment located up under the dash on the clutch pedal that would allow you to adjust the catch point higher or lower. I don't know if the 370Z is set up the same but considering your car is so new I wouldn't go messing with that just yet, see if you can get used to it first. If it stays the same do a search for 350Z clutch pedal adjustment and see if the set up is the same on the 370Z and try it.

mag_black · 12-13-2014, 07:29 PM

You'll get use to the clutch. When I first got the car, I thought it had a low engagement point, but when I took the advice of another forum member and practiced w/o using the gas and only using clutch, I've found where the engagement point is. It takes time to get use to, but it will eventually come. This car is not easy to drive.

12-13-2014, 10:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
tnav Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 316 Drives: 2012 370z Silver 6sp Rep Power: 12	Clutch is fully engaged 1/2 way, but mainly - the Z engages extremely high. Try it in your car and you will thank me. On my M Car, it is the complete opposite, if you don't press it all the way down, you will leave the transmission behind you. I tend the stall the BMW at times, since the Z is my DD Last edited by tnav; 12-13-2014 at 10:42 AM.

12-13-2014, 03:46 PM	#25 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,803 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Go out and practice without using the fuel pedal. 1-2-3, then stop and do over. After you get the hang of that, then add the fuel peddle into it. Don't cheat. Yes, mash the clutch pedal to the floor being a newbie. mayday813 and MJB like this.

12-13-2014, 05:45 PM	#28 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 305	Get the RPM at about 7.5k and dump the clutch MJB, Zteven and DavidZ370 like this.

12-13-2014, 06:35 PM	#29 (permalink)
Benibiker Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Honolulu Hawaii Posts: 235 Drives: Red 17 370Z Touring Rep Power: 16	The 350Z had an adjustment located up under the dash on the clutch pedal that would allow you to adjust the catch point higher or lower. I don't know if the 370Z is set up the same but considering your car is so new I wouldn't go messing with that just yet, see if you can get used to it first. If it stays the same do a search for 350Z clutch pedal adjustment and see if the set up is the same on the 370Z and try it. __________________ 2017 Pure Red 6MT 370Z Touring

12-13-2014, 07:29 PM	#30 (permalink)
mag_black A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,400 Drives: 09 370Z MT6 Rep Power: 666	You'll get use to the clutch. When I first got the car, I thought it had a low engagement point, but when I took the advice of another forum member and practiced w/o using the gas and only using clutch, I've found where the engagement point is. It takes time to get use to, but it will eventually come. This car is not easy to drive. ajm216 likes this. __________________ fujimura ≠ abbeyRoadCompany ≠ fastIntentions ≠ motordyne ≠ avantGarde ≠ ecutek ≠ nismo ≠ stillen ≠ stoptech ≠ gtm ≠ spl ≠ carbonfiberelement ≠ stance™

12-13-2014, 10:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
tnav Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 316 Drives: 2012 370z Silver 6sp Rep Power: 12	Practice taking off without gas, yes clutch only, 1-2-3 gear Also, when driving, press the clutch only 1/2 way, rather than until you hit the floor

12-13-2014, 11:06 AM	#22 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 14	For me,I rest my heel on the floor and use the top of my foot to feather the clutch out. Probably helps that I have size 13 feet! Just lots of practice man. Enjoy your new whip.

12-13-2014, 11:59 AM	#24 (permalink)
mishuko A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bouncin on tigga Posts: 8,062 Drives: '12 Z Rep Power: 9435	I usually let off the clutch until I feel the vibration/grab point in first then start gassing. It's a slower launch but atleast you get familiar with the engage point. Take it to a small incline and practice using the clutch and gas to practice standing still without braking once you are comfortable. As others mentioned just take your time.

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