StandardShift.com

Back after a long hiatus.

As to what got me interested in driving a manual car, it was one of those life skills I decided I needed to learn to do. I got an 08 Civic Si last year and am enjoying driving, learning the skills, and being very connected to the car. I had driven a 98 Buick Regal (automatic) for twelve years, and a...

AHTOXA wrote:Launching in 1st, my heel is on the floor until the clutch starts engaging. After that I lift the heel. For all other gear changes my heel is off the floor.

This.

Thanks, Potownrob and FDSpirit.

Hi Mel. Nice pictures. I like your instruments--black/white, industrial and German look. I also like the set-up in my 2008 Si, with the digital speedometer on top of the large tach--easy to take in both at a glance. I thought it was strange at first. About the AEM air intake in the picture--does it ...

Once you have engaged the next gear, you need to get on the gas instantaneously, (but only slightly) or the engine will decelerate the vehicle and your head will bob forward. The trick is that for smooth driving at this point is that you want to open the throttle just enough to eliminate engine bra...

Rev hang is normal for late model foreign vehicles only. Domestic and older foreign vehicles do not have it. It can be removed by getting your engine electronically tuned. thc, do you mean electronic tuning such as the Hondata Flashpro, which I've seen on line? I didn't know you could program away ...

For me, at 10 weeks and 1200 mi., I see gradual improvement in my clutch control, pedal/shifter coordination, and ability to anticipate the car's response and behavior in different situations. Along with that it is getting to be more fun and less anxiety provoking all the time. But I doubt I will be...

I've "rev-matched" (really just blipped the accelerator) before a few down-shifts and it was nice. Did one double clutched and a heel and toe. Granted I took perhaps a longish time to do them and traffic was light. It was fun to be able to "drive" the car to that extent. Have to ...

Yes, I can certainly vouch for the need to rev match. Tried it today without rev matching and my head was jerked forward. One of the most unsmooth shifts I've made, not to be repeated, I hope.

I don't remember seeing this topic addressed. What's the technique for downshifting when you want to accelerate immediately, as opposed to the downshift when entering a curve in order to be ready to accelerate out of the curve? Thanks, all.

My wife drove stick for thirty years until about ten years ago. When I decided I wanted a manual car, never having driven stick myself, she at first came with me to participate in the test drives. She never thought much about technique, just drove. This site has contributed enormously to my knowledg...

I've had my 2008 Si bought with 19.4k miles about a month. I am doing better each day but still am not consistent. I also sense two clicks when moving the shifter into third. A couple of times I thought it had popped out of third, as I found myself revving the engine in neutral. But I think maybe I ...

thc, thanks for that explanation, which thoroughly answered my question. Thanks to you and FDSpirit for taking the time to be so helpful.

Yes.