Ok, this is a pure n00b question, but I've never driven standard until a few days ago. I can start off pretty well and change gears well too, the problem is reversing.....

help, before i wreck something...or look like a fool in front of my friends at an up coming meet.

 

What trouble are you having exactly?

Since reverse is typically used to travel very short distances, it's usually OK to reverse while slipping the clutch, i.e., not letting the pedal all the way out.

If you try to release the clutch completely, you will usually have some bucking or you will stall.

If you have trouble putting the car in reverse, make sure you are at a full stop, press the clutch to the foor, place the gear in neutral and release the clutch. Then press the clutch again and try to engage reverse. It will usually take some effort, and it will be stubborn, so you don't stick it in R without really wanting to.

If you hear the gears grind, slow down and take your time. Make sure you depress the clutch fully.

Reverse is hard, but these cars handle it pretty well. A little practice should do the trick.

 

Thanks....its just backing into parking spaces and the driveway....i alway back into where im parking so its easier to get out....and i guess i have just let the clutch out too much, didn;t know i could slip it...THANKS

 

Just make sure you don't rev up too high, because slipping will wear out the clutch surfaces.

You shouldn't need more than 2500 on the tach, and that's probably a bit excessive.

 

wow just take your time i seem to need a few more rpms to get it going soo yea !!! good luck

 

Just went out and bought a car cover....backed the car into the driveway when I got home....no stalling at all....THANKS.


now if I could only get going forward perfectly w/o stalling 1 out of every 5 times.....lol...im letting off the clutch too fast

 

yup jus take your time. it will eventually come to you and will be like second nature.

 

I know how you feel,I learned how to drive a 5spd when I got into car sales,imagin that test drive

 

You know what? I took driving lessons on a manual tranny. The lady kept telling: "Release the cluth and then give it some gas"

Well, that's freakin bullsh*t. When I baught my Lancer, my cousin sat beside me and told me to do it this way...

Rev up between 1000 and 2500 Rpm and then let the cluth slowly go. Never stalled since then.

 

Thats why my cousin told me, and it worked for me too

 

do the same thing when you're in 1st gear, whats so hard bout that

 

I don't know about others, but I rarely use the gas when backing into or out of a parking space. I just feather the clutch until it's where I want it.