First of all, don't judge but I'm a noob and don't know how to drive manual BUT I REALLY WANT A S2K. Therefore, I am determined to learn. I've tried once on a s2k and was successful in getting it into gear but I tried later on a tsx and was scared and was not pleasant. Any tips or tricks for learning to drive manual (and building my confidence!! ) would be much appreciated.

Hoping to learn quickly and pick one up soon

 

Practice on a beater. Thats the only way!

Learn to use the clutch pedal gradually when appropriate.

 

Or buy your s2k and learn on it. That's what I did, but then again I've been riding bikes all my life so I'm use to engaging clutches. It's really not hard though, and its not going to be something you do once and be like "Ohh okay I can do it now" you'll learn with time and experience. I would say that I felt comfortable after driving my s for 2 months (daily driven) not an expert, but comfortable, like a regular routine without thinking about it. Goodluck

 

If you feel the car is going to stall, hit the clutch.

 

@lopez14, ahah, that was actually my plan. If i get an s2k and I have nothing else to drive. I'll have to figure it out. But sometimes I think about that plan and its stupid.
@alspeek2k Hitting the clutch is easier said than done when I'm in a panic. I think on the tsx i was supposed to hit the clutch but hit the gas and it screeched really loudly...

besides practicing on a beater any specific tips?? probably factor in that i'm a girl and over-analyze everything..

Thanks everyone!

 

My method of teaching friends to drive stick has always been this:

Go to a flat parking lot, or somewhere with a good amount of room and where you won't feel pressured.

Keep your right foot planted on the floor. Don't touch the gas pedal at all.

Put the clutch in, go into first gear, and ease off of the clutch until the RPMs drop slightly, and FREEZE(this is the friction zone of the clutch). If you freeze, the car is going to start moving very slowly, and after a few seconds you'll be rolling at a few MPH. You can then let the clutch all the way out.

Repeat this over and over, until you know the point where the clutch starts to grab(friction zone). Once you're comfortable with getting rolling without the gas pedal, try it with the gas pedal. You can give a little bit of gas to be able to let the clutch out faster. Keep practicing until you can get rolling pretty quickly, with the clutch fully out, with minimal RPMs.

Practice makes perfect.

 

Learning to drive a manual consists of much more than just getting it rolling. When I was little, I would always concentrate on the way my dad drove a stick. When I got the opportunity to try it out myself (10 years old), I picked it up pretty quickly.

Also Chugs gave some pretty good advice. I would practice the way he mentioned.

 

just practice in something other than an S that can take a little abuse so that you can get comfortable with it. all cars are different but once you got the basics and a good etiquette about driving a manual you should be good!

 

When I was in high school I was in your scenario. I played a lot of Gran Tourismo to learn the proper gears to be in at certain situations, and mentally thought about what I would have to do with my feet in real life, when I pushed the button to shift. I would also do a lot of role play in my automatic while I drove, pushing an imaginary clutch pedal with my left foot while changing gear with my hand. By the time I got my beater car, I drove straight to my buddies house without a problem.

Also, +1 on Chugs. That is the very first thing I did with anyone I've taught to drive manual. Good luck.

 

Buy a cheap 88-91 civic for under $1000. And slowly teach yourself. You can really get a feel for the clutch with the cable clutch in the older civics. Thats what i did, i taught myself while driving it home after i bought one for $600. Lol