Hey everyone, I have 2 questions about driving manuals. For the past year I have driven my 2017 Miata almost everyday, and with that I have noticed an issue about my driving. When I go to shift gears I kind of whiplash my passenger and was wondering how to drive more smoothly. I'm pretty good about not doing it when downshifting, but I don't know why up-shifting is a bit harder for me. The second question I have is about the clutch master cylinder. How do you drive a manual without a clutch master cylinder? From my LIMITED knowledge of manuals the clutch master cylinder allows the transmission to engage and disengage from the engine, allowing you to change gears, so I'm not sure how you would be able to drive without a master cylinder. As always thanks ahead of time!
One question per post please. It's in the forum rules. You've been here since the beginning and you should know them by now.
Q1 - Driving smoothly (if that's what you want to do) takes practice, lots of it, in adjusting to less throttle as you change out of a gear and less abruptly opening the throttle as you start pulling in the next gear.
Q2- A manufacturer can use a cable to connect your pedal to your clutch. I understand some Miata owners convert from hydraulic to cable operation.
A lot of early manual transmission vehicles used a system of rods and levers, then cables, then hydraulics. These systems do the same thing; disengage the clutch disc from the flywheel by compressing the pressure plate with a throw out bearing and engaging the engine to the transmission by relaxing the pressure plate thereby compressing the clutch disc between the flywheel and the pressure plate and driving the splined input shaft to the transmission.
It sounds like you need a little practice on your clutch release technique. Either that or carry a neck brace in you glove box for your passenger.
When I go to shift gears I kind of whiplash my passenger
Learn how to properly shift a manual.
Depress the clutch quickly, release gas pedal a bit, move the gearshift, and release quickly.
I'm not in the car with you so I am unsure what's the exact issue - I guess you let the RPM drop or powershift.
Obviously harsh shifting is not good for the health of the gearbox, so if possible, replace the gearbox oil.
Looking online, if you're shifting at 2,500 RPM on the Miata 6MT:
1st -> 2nd: 2,500 should drop to 1,400
2nd -> 3rd: 2,500 should drop to 1,700
3rd -> 4th: 2,500 should drop to 1,900
4th -> 5th: 2,500 should drop to 2,250
5th -> 6th: 2,500 should drop to 2,000
https://www.blocklayer.com/rpm-gear
How do you drive a manual without a clutch master cylinder?
If your car should have it, and like 99% of manuals should, you don't.
Your clutch just becomes spongy or sinks to the floor.
