[drradin]

I love this forum, everyone is great.

I am still learning to get better at driving a manual.

When I shift between 1st and 2nd, I am not the smoothest, I think I let the clutch up too quickly and don't gas enough, and it is a little rough. I don't have this problem between other gears.

Does this cause damage?

 

[kaotic504]

no it doesn't. try to get used to the friction point. do this by practicing on a flat surface, and SLOWLY letting off the clutch. the car will begin to move, that's your friction point, now give it gas. practice that a bit. you can give it gas earlier, and ease off the clutch too. just take your time, i'm not expert either.

 

[P987]

Practice, practice and practice.
btw, at what speed are you changing from 1st to 2nd? You might be shifting too early.
:drivingskid:

 

[ronaldvetteron]

Good point about the speed. I find about 2800 rpm is a nice, relaxed point to shift for a nice continued acceleration in the ensuing gears.

 

[pointnumber1]

you could also try double clutching.

in 1st, let off the gas, depress clutch
move gear lever into neutral
release clutch
depress clutch
move gear lever into 2nd
release clutch, press gas

With practice you're get really fast with it (you wont have to move the lever over into neutral, you'll just leave the clutch out between 1st and 2nd). I don't double clutch when driving around town, but if I need to get on up through the gears quickly I will.

Also RPMs have everything to do with it. Normally, I tend to shift around 4000 rpm in my CS and 3000 rpm in my Honda. Getting out of first as soon as the car has forward momentum will usually make the process smoother, but also a lot slower.

Good move learning to drive stick. I find it makes me more aware when driving, as you need to take a lot more into account, so you're in the right gear at the right time. When ever I drive an automatic, I tend to zone out.

 

[guod]

took me awhile to figure this out but I think I'm pretty smooth now.

normally i'll shift around 3500 and seesaw gas/clutch smoothly

I find if I shift lower RPM, I gas a bit earlier and clutch slower

if I shift higher, I gas later and clutch quicker

 

[extanker]

have someone that knows take a ride with you...they can advise