Driving a manual?

XR6TickfordBoy · 30-11-2006, 05:51 PM

My EL XR6 is my first manual car (ever)! And I am just wondering as I have no experience with manual cars what is normal clutchwise and speed/revs wise in normal driving. As I drive it I change gears at 2750-3000 revs and cruise at anything between 2,000 and 2,6000 revs. As an example when driving down the street I will go first to 3,000, change to second to 2,500-2,750, to third to cruise at 50kmhr! will go from third to fourth after 80kmhr and will use fifth at anything over 110kmhr. Just wondering what are normal cruising and changing revs/gears as i always have doubts, most specifically when a mate who has a VX Commy Manual that said I need a new clutch and different diff gears! My clutch is a real beeeaaatch to push in as u feel as though it is all the way in but theres always a hard spot at the end! Just really would like to know the norm when driving a performance manual!

Ryan · 30-11-2006, 05:55 PM

That sounds about right mate.

I change gears at about 2500-3000rpm aswell.

Usually I'm in 3rd at 50, but can be in 2nd sometimes.

XR6TickfordBoy · 30-11-2006, 06:07 PM

Lately ive tried 50kmhr in second but it sounds like its revving its tits off, so i always go to third!!

Ryan · 30-11-2006, 06:11 PM

Yeah I probably shouldn't do it either. lol

My box feels crap. It's a c*** of a thing, to changes gears sometimes.

XR Martin · 30-11-2006, 06:11 PM

Dont use gears to slow down (unless its an emergency) Gears are for going, not slowing.
Dont sit at the lights with the clutch pedal depressed for extended periods.

Your car should happily motor along at 50-60kmh in 4th, 70-80 in 5th.

Dezza · 30-11-2006, 06:13 PM

I don't usually tend to even look at the tacho when I change gears. I just change when the revs sound high enough. Of course it's harder when I have the windows down and I have a truck beside me. Then I change at about 3000 rpm as well. At 50, I'm usually in 3rd. At 60, I'll usually go 4th, and at around 80, I'll grab 5th.

I know the Falcon clutches are quite heavy, and mine does have to go right in to get smooth gearchanges. I was back at my parent's last weekend so I had a look at the clutch in my parent's EBII and found it interesting how it feels more like an On/Off switch than mine, which feels more linear and controlled. The EBII is a factory manual though, while my EAII has been converted.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:14 PM

If you want better economy though ... I'd change into 5th a bit earlier ... saves your hip pocket when coming time to fill up.

I learnt manual on a vehicle without a tacho ... so i just went on the sound of the vehicle and what felt right. I mainly picked it up after watching both parents drive all of the time and getting used to their shift points.

Time and practice and you will get better and reaslise what is best to suit your driving style.

I wish i had a manual again ... first 10 years of driving was in manual vehicles only ... now the last 2 years have been auto only. I want a manual toy again.

XA Coupsta · 30-11-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Dont use gears to slow down (unless its an emergency) Gears are for going, not slowing.

Id disagree strongly with that statment.

The G6ET Spot · 30-11-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Dont use gears to slow down (unless its an emergency) Gears are for going, not slowing.
D

I've been driving trucks the wrong way for the past 25years then.

Rob · 30-11-2006, 06:16 PM

The VN has no tacho :the_finge

1st - 0 - 15kph
2nd - 15 - 35kph
3rd - 35 - 55kph
4th - 55 - 70kph
5th - 70kph - ....

Dezza · 30-11-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I learnt manual on a vehicle without a tacho ... so i just went on the sound of the vehicle and what felt right.

Same with me. The EBII I mentioned is a GLi so it has the povo dash, with the missing tacho. The Ghia does have a tacho, but I usually ignore it.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Dont use gears to slow down (unless its an emergency) Gears are for going, not slowing.

Gearing down is fine ... nothing wrong with it at all ...if you do it properly and not over-rev and back down too early. ... also saves your brakes too.

On a steep downhill ... i'd prefer to use lower gears to slow myself down ... rather than overcook my brakes by riding them.

MITCHAY · 30-11-2006, 06:17 PM

Usually cruise at 60 in 5th. Gunning it I'd be pretty close to 100 in 2nd although haven't really noticed so can't say with certainty.

Ryan · 30-11-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

If you want better economy though ... I'd change into 5th a bit earlier ... saves your hip pocket when coming time to fill up.

I learnt manual on a vehicle without a tacho ... so i just went on the sound of the vehicle and what felt right. I mainly picked it up after watching both parents drive all of the time and getting used to their shift points.

Time and practice and you will get better and reaslise what is best to suit your driving style.

I wish i had a manual again ... first 10 years of driving was in manual vehicles only ... now the last 2 years have been auto only. I want a manual toy again.

That's the way I learnt too.

The old 4 speed manual Corty didn't have a tacho, nor does my VL (Now has a aftermarket one), so I could only go on sound.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

Same with me. The EBII I mentioned is a GLi so it has the povo dash, with the missing tacho. The Ghia does have a tacho, but I usually ignore it.

I don't even look at the tacho anymore ... seeing as it is auto ... hee hee.
My last manual car I had ... the tacho came in handy ... especially when changing up just before the rev-limiter.

RUQ1KA · 30-11-2006, 06:21 PM

i just go by the sound of the engine aswell

i use 2 upto 40km/h
3 upto about 50-60
4th from 60-80
and 5th for anything above 80

but my car could have different ratios (being a vx commodore) that change the times that i shift at compared to ford gearboxes

Dezza · 30-11-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I don't even look at the tacho anymore ... seeing as it is auto ... hee hee.
My last manual car I had ... the tacho came in handy ... especially when changing up just before the rev-limiter.

That is the main time that I do use the tacho, but for cruising, I just go by sound

MITCHAY · 30-11-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I don't even look at the tacho anymore ... seeing as it is auto ... hee hee.

Bit hard for me not to look at the tacho. It's the biggest gauge right in front of me. Good for the track but not so friendly for the streets.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

I've been driving trucks the wrong way for the past 25years then.

Ahahahahaha ... awwww c'mon ... using the emergency sand traps are fun on steep hills.

MITCHAY · 30-11-2006, 06:27 PM

I use my brakes and gears to slow down. It's called engine braking.

Speaking of slowing down how bout the heel-toer's out there. Do you heel and toe with the brake and accelerator or the clutch and brake?

I use brake and and accelerator, too hard for me to do it the other way.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:30 PM

Took me a while to get used to it ... I used to use brake and accelerator in "extreme" cases where I wanted to match revs on back-changing while still braking firmly.

Then I'd have my toes firm on the brake pedal and blip the accelerator with my heels.

But it was rare for me to do it.

XR Martin · 30-11-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

I've been driving trucks the wrong way for the past 25years then.

Truck are obviously different.

_

Brakes are cheaper than clutches and gearboxes.
Might also explain why my XR6 has had the same clutch since I bought it 5 years ago!

MITCHAY · 30-11-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Then I'd have my toes firm on the brake pedal and blip the accelerator with my heels.

Lol I can't remember if I do it with toe on brake or toe on accelerator. But it's one of the two. I've only started to do it but I seem to be matching the revs pretty good. Only about 100 or 200 rpm off.

XA Coupsta · 30-11-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Truck are obviously different.

_

Brakes are cheaper than clutches and gearboxes.
Might also explain my my XR6 has had the same clutch for 5 years!

I dont think it matters if its a truck or car - as Mitchay said its called engine braking and is the right technique.

I cant see how it is a wear and tear issue?

You probably have had the same clutch for 5 years coz you drive like miss daisy. Who knows. Thats not enough of a key point to validate riding your brakes and clutch at every stop.

So can I ask - how do you brake coming into a corner? Your in 4th gear doing 60kmh an hour for a standard left hand 90 degree turn from the street you are travelling on. Do tell.

Dezza · 30-11-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Truck are obviously different.

_

Brakes are cheaper than clutches and gearboxes.
Might also explain why my XR6 has had the same clutch since I bought it 5 years ago!

and why my parent's EBII, which they bought brand new in 93' and use engine braking all the time is on it's original clutch

Ford_Boy · 30-11-2006, 06:38 PM

both my folks cars are manual so i never drive auto. i thought its better to gear down? its good when i can see the lights hundred or so metres ahead and you gradually slow down to a safer speed. if you didnt gear down then what do you do? hard brake or hold the brake? either way its going to wear the brake pads quicker. if you can gear down then why not. and change gears at earlier revs to save fuel. but theres nothing worse then being in the car with somone and they are in fourth doing 50km.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Truck are obviously different.

_

Brakes are cheaper than clutches and gearboxes.
Might also explain why my XR6 has had the same clutch since I bought it 5 years ago!

Never had to replace a gearbox in my previous vehicles.
My last car I had from new ... and did 2 clutches in it ... and that was over a 5 year period as well ... mind you though .... the car had done 350,000km of decent driving (metro deliveries and some country work).

a lot of my braking was engine braking and gearing down ... but nothing harsh to do damage to it. I used my brakes as well ... but used the engine to aid in braking too.

If done properly engine braking is an effective aid that isn't really all that damaging.

**Mechan1k** · 30-11-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Lol I can't remember if I do it with toe on brake or toe on accelerator. But it's one of the two. I've only started to do it but I seem to be matching the revs pretty good. Only about 100 or 200 rpm off.

I just found it easier to regular braking pressure with my toes than it was with my heel ... so i did it that way :1syellow1

gozza · 30-11-2006, 06:43 PM

i'll double clutch for corners using the engine compression to brake...if im slowing for lights i'll just use the pedal

if im going down a big hill i'll use a combination of both lol

MITCHAY · 30-11-2006, 06:43 PM

My manual for my car says to use engine braking but I have always used it.