First of all stand-still to 1st gear is always the "hardest" to get right in any manual transmission car.

I just do like everyone else and pull the clutch out while I slowly press the gas down. I guess the only other thing to add is that I general start bringing the clutch out first before I start pressing the gas because the "catch" point of the clutch is sorta high and I dont want to be revving too much when it finally catches.

On another note, the S is much easier to drive smoothly than my Integra. Not sure why this is but 1st gear in the integra is really hard to do smoothly.

and as always, practice makes perfect.

 

In my MY02 the clutch release is very short (only an inch or two). This makes it very difficult to let the clutch help you rev match. I figured that the clutch was made to be used so I just used it. Now, I'm much better at rev matching without relying so much on the clutch. It just takes time and practice.

Regarding the short engagement, I don't know if my car was tweaked since I bought it used. Heck, I don't even know if it has the factory clutch plate or an aftermarket! Regardless, it is much easier to drive today than when I bought it.

Cheers

 

you don't really have to "let the clutch help you rev match" (aka let synchros match the revs) when you shift so that you are at the exact RPM in the next gear...well maybe a hundred or so higher so by the time you release the clutch the RPM's will drop to the needed speed..you can even just side step the clutch if it's at the exact RPM for the next gear.

i agree, just takes time to get acquainted with the car so you know what RPM the car will be in each gear at every mph (also good to know this so you don't shift to a gear that is too low for the speed aka overrev)

 

It's all about feel...

I can let my clutch out without ever touching the gas and get the car rolling...smoothly.

This is really basic, learn to drive, type stuff. Just practice and get used to the feel of your clutch and like someone said earlier you should be able to make the car feel as though it had an automatic transmission...if you wanted to.

 

when im bored i take off just by letting off the clutch slowly ....

 

It IS a tricky clutch compared to typical manuals. Very narrow window for engagment. It just takes practice to find the right blend of left foot/ right foot interplay.....

 

A smooth 1-2 shift (and all others) comes from rev matching...aka as you're releasing the clutch, you're already beginning to push the gas; that way they both will be half way down at the same time....i doubt that makes sense at anyone but me unfortunately lol

 

You don't need to rev match to make the car goes smoothly. All you need to do is get to know/feed your clutch. So you know exactly when it engage. Once you do that, you should know when to let go of the clutch or when to step on the gas to make the car sail off smooth. Someone said you don't even need to step on the gas, that's true. Even though you will get off a stop slow but you can basicly let go of your clutch slowly until it engage and when it does you can let go of your clutch cause the car is already moving. Putting it in first gear is like putting the car on D on automatic. Even though in you're not stepping on the gas, but once it's on D, the car will move. Manual is the same, just have a clutch and shifting involve.