you are listening to a bunch of car guys though, we are used to shifting harder and faster than any truck/suv can. get to know it. dont be afraid to slide the thing in neutral and coast to a stop, or instead of wasting brakes on that beast row gears backwards to slow down. i hate following these big huevo bastads that have huge f-350 that are always riding their brakes. just tap the gas and shift down. it will slow you down, and wont waste brakes or motor. when you know you have to stop put the rig in neutral and coast using the brake when you need to. you will get good at it. i have been trying to teach my little sisters how to drive for months now. dont think of the clutch as an obstical, instead a tool, to help. dont let it get in the way.

 

Assuming you know how to drive an automatic, which I'm pretty sure you do. The thing I would concentrate the most is pedal pressure on the throttle. In an automatic you could let go of the brake and you will move forward, hit the throttle and your on the go. The technique you speak of is very basic (let go of clutch until car moves), but as a beginner you will stall and bog the car very often. You will need to make a concious effort to make sure your right foot does not apply to much gas or too little when letting go of clutch. This will come with experience. Also if you might have noticed, if you let go of the clutch slowly you will have a smoother start, at the expense of the clutch though. But as a beginner strive for smoothness and speed will come

 

In our work truck ( big *** delivery truck) I rev up a little before slowly letting off the clutch and giving about equal gas to clutch release ratio. In the Evo, I just drive and don't really think about it.

 

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it. Just takes practice dude.

 

A good way to get around riding the clutch is befor you start off rev it alittle and let off the clutch that way you have more control over you rpms.

 

Just $0.02 on keeping your foot on the clutch. That's a little on the bad side. It puts a lot of stress on the hydraulics and will wear your clutch out faster.... I don't mean you're cutting the life in half or anything, but the less stress you can put on your tranny components the better. There's no reason to not take it out of gear and just sit there with the brakes on

 

assuming you are accelerating normally.... you shouldnt be on the clutch for more then 2 seconds.... even shorter once you really get it down... but dont worry cuz if your rpms are low, the wear to the clutch is minimal.

 

if you are turning, you want to slow down, yes? then why are you clutching in? in gear, you will slow down via engine braking.... also if you hold in the clutch too long, you can wear out the throwout bearing in the clutch prematurely.... remember all gears are connected, its just the matter of which onces are freely spinning and which ones are engaged. so if you hold down the clutch, the clutch isnt spinning but the ball bearings inside is.... dont be lazy.. at a stop light, go into neutral and if necessary, ebrake

 

thanks for all the advice guys. yea i do need practice. ive only been driving stick for about 2 weeks, so i got a ways to go.

 

If you are worried about hurting your clutch, go practice on another car.

I taught my Girlfriend on cars from a BMW dealership....We went in, looked interested, took one for a spin and traded drivers. BMW trannys are SO forgiving that she picked it up right away.

After some practice, I let her drive My EVO.

 

when you can completely let the clutch go in about 10-15 ft then you are doing great. Actually you can leave from a stop without using the gas. Just knowing your car ...you'll get it. Just remember....you shouldn't still be on the clutch after 15 feet from a stop....GET OFF THE CLUTCH!!! I used to get yelled at all the time by my friends dad ;P.

 

I agree b.e. 7, there is no reason to clutch twice in 1st. You would think that it is just extra wear and tear. As far as double cluthing, it doesn't always need to be done, but it is hard to break the habit if you've had to do it before. Its a car not a boom truck!!=] And with starting in 1st on a hill, I was told basically, " let the clutch out slow, until you can start to feel it grab, then use the gas accordingly." I have never had any problems this way. Another way is to put it in first , use the hand-brake to stop you from rolling. I don't really think it is a good idea thou, 3 things at the same time plus shifting. If you are nice to the clutch and shift smooth, I'm sure feathering it every once in a while can't be that horrible..
I put 62,000 miles on the first clutch I ever drove, so whatever. Good luck!