Hey everyone! Simple question, what is the best way to drive a manual without having a mile gap between you and the car in front?
I don't understand the question. I don't do anything different whether the transmission is manual or automatic, aside from using the gearshift and clutch of course.
@chucktobias So, what is the best way to drive so that the clutch doesn't get worn out as bad? My idea of leaving a big gap is so i don't have to be downshifting or upshift and using the clutch ask much. I would just keep it in 3rd going 20 mph consistently.
why do you leave big gaps?
Hey everyone! Simple question, what is the best way to drive a manual without having a mile gap between you and the car in front?
You should be a little more worried about the cars behind you if you get stopped by a red light and the car is facing uphill. Some cars are "pushy", and when you're letting off the clutch and you're inexperienced, your car could roll backwards, into the guy who was pushy's car. The pushy driver would be sighted for assured clear distance if you roll into them.
@justin-shepherd Unless you're driving a Studebaker with the "hill holder" feature! 😝
I've never driven a stick with the hill hold feature, haha. Studebaker was was quite ahead of their time, though!
So, what is the best way to drive so that the clutch doesn't get worn out as bad?
just learn to shift smoothly. The less you ride the clutch the less it wears. It just comes with practice. If you get good enough, the clutch will last a very long time.
My idea of leaving a big gap is so i don't have to be downshifting or upshift and using the clutch ask much. I would just keep it in 3rd going 20 mph consistently.
That doesn't sound safe. Learn to shift. Maybe hire an instructer to give you a few lessons.
So, what is the best way to drive so that the clutch doesn't get worn out as bad? My idea of leaving a big gap is so i don't have to be downshifting or upshift and using the clutch ask much. I would just keep it in 3rd going 20 mph consistently.
I'm having a hard time understanding your concern and I've been driving manual transmission cars for over 50 years. Unless you're slipping the clutch when shifting you're not going to wear it out prematurely in normal driving. I've had my current manual transmission car for over 20 years on the same clutch and it's still fine without doing anything special. Leaving a big gap as you describe is just not necessary, I've never heard of such a thing.
@chucktobias So why should you have your foot off the clutch at red lights and stop signs?
@chucktobias Because keeping the clutch pedal depressed needlessly puts more wear on the throwout bearing. It's a judgement call based on how long you expect to be stopped. Driving a manual transmission effectively requires that you understand how it works and you know what you are doing and why.
@chucktobias We lived near a 4-way stop when my mom was driving that '91 Escort station wagon. It was always congested at rush hour and traffic would back up a quarter mile at times. She'd get on at off the clutch constantly. She learned quickly to not go that particular direction when there's heavy traffic, haha.
City driving, highway driving, off-road driving....?
@g-t stop and go highway
When you stop, put it in neutral. When you drive, try to predict how fast traffic will move and for how long. I adjust speed that way. Sometimes I just accelerate to a certain speed and then coast until the next stop if possible