I've read through the archived threads on this topic and am aware that this is probably just asking to get flamed, but here goes anyway...

I picked up a '02 S2000 about a month ago, and it's my first stick. So, for the past month, I've been driving it as much as possible to practice, and can currently drive it reasonably functionably - i.e. I can get where I'm going, I don't stall, and on hills I roll back some but haven't destroyed anything yet (and hopefully won't). I'm also a little bit slower than I'd like getting going in first, but it's not too noticeable.

What I'm curious about is whether or not I'm driving the car correctly. Currently, what I do from a complete stop is rev up to about 2.5-3k rpms with the clutch pedal all the way down. Then, I let the clutch up continuously until it starts to grab - at that grabbing point, when the rpms dip, I hold the clutch there briefly while I give some more gas. Then I ease out on the clutch until I'm fully in gear.

I get the feeling that this is something of a gimpy beginner's way to drive - is it? What's the consensus as far as the best way to drive this (and other) sticks? Instead of doing what I'm doing, should I perhaps first let the clutch out to near the grabbing point, and then give gas? It seems that this would be a smoother and more "linear" way to do it, but it's harder for me to do.

Any tips you guys can provide on how to drive the S2000 properly are much appreciated. Now that I'm at least functional with the car, albeit using a possibly less-than-ideal method, I'd like to fine-tune it so that I can drive it better.

Thanks a lot!

 

If you're worried about rolling back into something on a hill, you can use the emergency brake to hold the car while you get your foot on the gas. As soon as the clutch starts to engage (in your method, the rpm's start to drop), release the hand brake and continue to accelerate up the hill.

 

You're off to a good start. Ultimately without thinking you will release the clutch as you give it gas, feathering both slightly to get the desired start. It's probably a tactile memory that allows you to feel/predict when the clutch has started to engage and how much gas is appropriate.

The hand brake is the best way to deal with steep hills. It will save clutch wear and you won't roll backwards.

 

I would dare say there is no one technique that is more correct than another when driving a manual trans. Some stick drivers I've been with lurch abruptly into each successive gear, with no apparent attempt at smoothness. I, on the other hand, try to minimize the motion of my passengers head when I shift by doing so as smoothly as possible.

As far as getting into first gear, the hardest thing to do when a beginner, what you're doing sounds fine for now. As you become more and more competent (and I mean years from now) you will notice that you don't even think about what your feet are doing, and that the clutch pedal comes up as the gas is going down in such a way that you smoothly move away from a stop.

A good training technique for "teaching" your left foot to let off the clutch smoothly, is to go to some flat, paved area where there are no other vehicles, and work on getting the car rolling into first gear without using the gas pedal. Sounds strange, I know, but if you do it correctly it is possible. Most of the drivers I've trained on a stick had the most difficulty learning to release the clutch gradually; this gas-less gear engagement will teach good smooth clutching.

 

i also learned to drive manual transmission at the same time i bought my s. i found learning stick quite easy since i was enrolled in a motorcycle safety program course at the time. i personally would recommend enrolling in a msp course not only to acquire a motorcycle license but to also hone manual transmission skills. go to msf-usa.org for more info.

 

Actually seems like you're doing pretty well... What I do is similar, in fact, but I don't (consciouslyat least) rev the engine up before engaging the clutch. This is just something that you will get with practice. As you get the feel for the car and tranny (every one is different), driving them will become second nature. You won't likely damage the car either as long as you don't slip the clutch to much or drop it, which it doesn't sound like you're doing. Also, to minimize wear on the car, start at the lowest possible rpm and engage the clutch fully as quickly as possible. Truthfully though, you have to expect to use up clutches, just as you use up tires and brakes...they're wear items and should be treated as such.

Enjoy your car and newfound skill!

The next thing you'll want to know is how to double-clutch and heal-toe downshift

 

Thanks for the quick replies, guys...

As far as the hills, I figure it's just a matter of time, practice, and experience before I get those down. Right now, I don't have any significant problems with hills as long as I have some time to find the clutch's engagement point. I do have minor problems when I need to get going on a hill quickly (for example in stop-and-go traffic), but in those instances, I just gas it a little more to compensate. In other words, hills do give me some trouble, but I think I'm conceptually sound and will get it with time.

My question mostly pertains to starting from a complete stop on flat land. I can do it without problems, but am curious if the method I described (in my original post) is considered "normal". Is it normal to rev up the engine to 2.5-3k before letting the clutch out?

 

Wow, looks like a lot of folks replied while I was typing up my last post - thanks again for the insanely quick responses!

Based on what you guys have said, I think I'm ok then, at least for the time being. I was a bit concerned because the first two weeks I had the car, I improved by leaps and bounds and that felt great. But after that, the improvements kind of tapered off and came more slowly, which was a bit discouraging.

Currently, I can drive the car around with no major problems (I bog a little here and there and am still working on honing my rev-matching), and my first gear starts and upshifts are mostly smooth, but I don't feel my skill level increasing as quickly...it's much more gradual. But thanks a million for the feedback, it sounds like I'm not too abnormal after all. =)

 

Frankly I think it's best to look out the window in front and not worry about the RPM meter. If you launch without squealing the tires, jerking the car, creating that revving in neutral sound, or stalling, I'd say your fine. I know the tendency early on is to use the RPM gauge as your primary source for when to shift. However, you will develop and ear and soon find yourself not using RPM that much.

 

Like djohnston said. It takes years until you perfect your launch without even thinking about it. the launch RPM doesn't really matter. It's what ever you are comfortable and smooth with.