Question about launching
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- Junior Standardshifter
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:28 pm
Question about launching
Is it bad for the engine to be bogging slightly while launching? I've been driving a standard for about a month now and am pretty proficient, but I'm still having trouble giving the right amount of gas with how fast I'm letting out the clutch, and it usually ends up in the engine bogging slightly. Is this something I should try to fix or is it not much of a problem? (I drive a 2001 VW Golf with a 2.0L, if that helps.)
Re: Question about launching
Try varying the speed that you let the clutch pedal up.
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- Senior Standardshifter
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- Cars: 2011 BMW 335i Coupe, 6MT
- Location: Philly, PA
Re: Question about launching
I think this is good advice. Go in a parking lot and try it. Repetition helps.Shadow wrote:Try varying the speed that you let the clutch pedal up.
Suggestion: while in the parking lot, take off your shoes and try launching the car with just the clutch. This will tell you the exact point where the clutch grabs.
2011 BMW E92 335i: Le Mans Blue, M Sport, 6MT w/ CDV Mod, BMW Performance Exhaust + Style 269 19" Wheels
Re: Question about launching
I think the taking off the shoes part actually can make a huge difference when first learning a car. Feeling the mechanical bits with your feet gives you a much better indication of where the clutch needs to be released to exactly. I find it fun every now and then to drive someplace shoeless just to feel the pedals differently.
'15 Mazda 3 iSport Hatch 6MT
'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi
For Pony!
'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi
For Pony!
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- Master Standardshifter
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Re: Question about launching
Yeah, what he said, except apply it to learning to ride a bike no-handedly by practicing w/o pants.Squint wrote:I think the taking off the shoes part actually can make a huge difference when first learning a car. Feeling the mechanical bits with your feet gives you a much better indication of where the clutch needs to be released to exactly. I find it fun every now and then to drive someplace shoeless just to feel the pedals differently.
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
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- Master Standardshifter
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Re: Question about launching
Unless I have to be wearing closed shoes (boots to work, anything in winter), I wear flip-flops. I always kick them off before I drive. Barefoot is my prefered method, especially when driving more spiritedly.
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- Master Standardshifter
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- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:44 pm
- Cars: '08 Jeep Liberty
- Location: Greater Detroit Area
Re: Question about launching
watkins wrote:Barefoot is my prefered method, especially when driving more spiritedly.
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"