Teaching her to drive 6mt, G37S
#1
Teaching her to drive 6mt, G37S
Boy was it painful. But she got it after a few quick tips. Total stalls: 3 in two hour. Not bad...I guess lol
Anyways, desperately looking for some how to tips. I usually have my HEEL planted to the ground when I engage the clutch to give my foot some stability (pressure from clutch when disengaging/letting out isn't linear). The problem: her freaking HEEL doesn't touch the floor (barely); she can't let the clutch out slowly enough - it'll start and then jolt (obvious reasons) because she doesn't have much of an attachment point. Now, I'm assuming this will take some getting use to for her, so I let it slide, and I made sure that she practiced...for the next darn hour. Thinking about it NOW though, I wonder if she's just TOO SHORT (5'4) to be able to drive stick well? Can you in fact be..."too short"...? Lost cause? We practiced going from a stop, into first, and then into second. We had some police officers come by to give us some tips (hilarious). I'm not looking for a "be patient" tip, but tips on how to teach this darn lady haha. Hm...anything? Much appreciated!
Why am I teaching her with my beloved G? It's inevitable for a 3 and half year couple, I guess...is my best answer lol.
Anyways, desperately looking for some how to tips. I usually have my HEEL planted to the ground when I engage the clutch to give my foot some stability (pressure from clutch when disengaging/letting out isn't linear). The problem: her freaking HEEL doesn't touch the floor (barely); she can't let the clutch out slowly enough - it'll start and then jolt (obvious reasons) because she doesn't have much of an attachment point. Now, I'm assuming this will take some getting use to for her, so I let it slide, and I made sure that she practiced...for the next darn hour. Thinking about it NOW though, I wonder if she's just TOO SHORT (5'4) to be able to drive stick well? Can you in fact be..."too short"...? Lost cause? We practiced going from a stop, into first, and then into second. We had some police officers come by to give us some tips (hilarious). I'm not looking for a "be patient" tip, but tips on how to teach this darn lady haha. Hm...anything? Much appreciated!
Why am I teaching her with my beloved G? It's inevitable for a 3 and half year couple, I guess...is my best answer lol.
#2
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Haha well I'm 5'6 and I drove my 6mt just fine. The driving position might be different from your sedan and my coupe though. Try and make sure she adjusts the seat properly because even I drive a little less smooth when my seating position is off.
When I drive I don't rest my heel on the floor either the pedal is too high (for me?). When driving my friends civic si sedan the clutch pedal is much softer, lower to the ground, and easier to modulate.
Our g37's have that 2nd spring in the clutch so it takes some getting used to. Only 3 stalls in 2 hours is pretty good though!
When I drive I don't rest my heel on the floor either the pedal is too high (for me?). When driving my friends civic si sedan the clutch pedal is much softer, lower to the ground, and easier to modulate.
Our g37's have that 2nd spring in the clutch so it takes some getting used to. Only 3 stalls in 2 hours is pretty good though!
#3
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I think the G37S 6MT is more difficult to drive than most MT cars. Engagement of the clutch is abrupt, gear ratios are closer together than they need to be (no real overdrive ), & the car is overpowered for routine street driving in traffic. Takes getting used to if you want to drive smoothly & get reasonable fuel economy. My wife hasn't driven the car yet, and I suspect it will be an interesting challenge for her to learn.
Last edited by BillPaul; 06-14-2010 at 06:44 AM.
#5
If I were learning to drive stick for the first time, I certainly wouldn't want to learn on a G37. There are far easier cars to learn on (any Honda, for example) than a G. These cars just aren't very forgiving....and they have a really high clutch engagement that makes it even harder for beginners.
If you have no other choice than to teach her on your G, then make sure she understand that she's learning on a difficult car and that if she drives another stick shift car, it will probably be a breeze.
BTW, how can you keep your heel planted while engaging the clutch? I'm 6 feet tall and have big feet and I can't possibly keep my heel on the floor while engaging the clutch because it doesn't start grabbing until the pedal is about 3/4 of the way up.
If you have no other choice than to teach her on your G, then make sure she understand that she's learning on a difficult car and that if she drives another stick shift car, it will probably be a breeze.
BTW, how can you keep your heel planted while engaging the clutch? I'm 6 feet tall and have big feet and I can't possibly keep my heel on the floor while engaging the clutch because it doesn't start grabbing until the pedal is about 3/4 of the way up.
#6
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Was she wearing shoes, flipflops, or sneakers? Make her wear something with a decent soul on it. It will make it easier for her to control the clutch.
I taught my wife on my G, I made her practice taking off with no gas. Just learning the engagement point and helping her build some muscle memory.
I taught my wife on my G, I made her practice taking off with no gas. Just learning the engagement point and helping her build some muscle memory.
#7
my gf drives my 6 mt pretty good... the only thing is she doesnt apply the gas when going from 0 so the car bogs sometimes.. Shes also 5'2 ...
on a side note, i spend more time in the passengers seat because she loves driving my car..
on a side note, i spend more time in the passengers seat because she loves driving my car..
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#8
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Anyways, desperately looking for some how to tips. I usually have my HEEL planted to the ground when I engage the clutch to give my foot some stability (pressure from clutch when disengaging/letting out isn't linear). The problem: her freaking HEEL doesn't touch the floor (barely); she can't let the clutch out slowly enough - it'll start and then jolt (obvious reasons) because she doesn't have much of an attachment point.
#9
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She should be able to leave the heel on the floor. Sounds like she's sitting too far back. Make sure when she leans back in the seat, the top of her wrist can touch the top of the steering wheel so she's not too far back VIP style.
Consumer Reports Cars Blog: How to adjust your car seat for comfort, safety
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#10
Haha well I'm 5'6 and I drove my 6mt just fine. The driving position might be different from your sedan and my coupe though. Try and make sure she adjusts the seat properly because even I drive a little less smooth when my seating position is off.
When I drive I don't rest my heel on the floor either the pedal is too high (for me?). When driving my friends civic si sedan the clutch pedal is much softer, lower to the ground, and easier to modulate.
Our g37's have that 2nd spring in the clutch so it takes some getting used to. Only 3 stalls in 2 hours is pretty good though!
When I drive I don't rest my heel on the floor either the pedal is too high (for me?). When driving my friends civic si sedan the clutch pedal is much softer, lower to the ground, and easier to modulate.
Our g37's have that 2nd spring in the clutch so it takes some getting used to. Only 3 stalls in 2 hours is pretty good though!
I think the G37S 6MT is more difficult to drive than most MT cars. Engagement of the clutch is abrupt, gear ratios are closer together than they need to be (no real overdrive ), & the car is overpowered for routine street driving in traffic. Takes getting used to if you want to drive smoothly & get reasonable fuel economy. My wife hasn't driven the car yet, and I suspect it will be an interesting challenge for her to learn.
If I were learning to drive stick for the first time, I certainly wouldn't want to learn on a G37. There are far easier cars to learn on (any Honda, for example) than a G. These cars just aren't very forgiving....and they have a really high clutch engagement that makes it even harder for beginners.
If you have no other choice than to teach her on your G, then make sure she understand that she's learning on a difficult car and that if she drives another stick shift car, it will probably be a breeze.
BTW, how can you keep your heel planted while engaging the clutch? I'm 6 feet tall and have big feet and I can't possibly keep my heel on the floor while engaging the clutch because it doesn't start grabbing until the pedal is about 3/4 of the way up.
If you have no other choice than to teach her on your G, then make sure she understand that she's learning on a difficult car and that if she drives another stick shift car, it will probably be a breeze.
BTW, how can you keep your heel planted while engaging the clutch? I'm 6 feet tall and have big feet and I can't possibly keep my heel on the floor while engaging the clutch because it doesn't start grabbing until the pedal is about 3/4 of the way up.
I'm 6'2. I use my heel as the pivot point (point of attachment to the floor), and I engage the clutch (3/4) of the way immediately after I shift to engage/catch the rpms when they drop. More times than not, as I mentioned previously in another post up top, it yields smooth transactions. I wonder why if that's the reason why I can't shift quickly...I'm rather new to the manual world as well. The blind leading the blind, if you will . Your advice?
Was she wearing shoes, flipflops, or sneakers? Make her wear something with a decent soul on it. It will make it easier for her to control the clutch.
I taught my wife on my G, I made her practice taking off with no gas. Just learning the engagement point and helping her build some muscle memory.
I taught my wife on my G, I made her practice taking off with no gas. Just learning the engagement point and helping her build some muscle memory.
In all honesty, I considered letting her race it. I've heard that's another way to teach novices to drive. FLOOR + dump clutch. I opted not to though, for sake of my own sanity...lol and my heart.
#11
She should be able to leave the heel on the floor. Sounds like she's sitting too far back. Make sure when she leans back in the seat, the top of her wrist can touch the top of the steering wheel so she's not too far back VIP style.
Consumer Reports Cars Blog: How to adjust your car seat for comfort, safety
Consumer Reports Cars Blog: How to adjust your car seat for comfort, safety
#12
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Definitely DO NOT to wear flip-flops when learning stick, haha. Would have to ask her to wear sneakers next time. It is harder to get the engagement with thin soles or even pivot with your heel because you don't have much support
I pivot with my heel every shift until the point of engagement (around 800-900rpm), then I let off. If I'm shifting quickly, I don't pivot, since pivoting is slower but smoother. Don't think you're doing anything wrong, wouldn't worry about it.
Nice of you to teach her on your 6MT though. I know with 5+ years in a relationship, it wouldn't happen with me, haha
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I pivot with my heel every shift until the point of engagement (around 800-900rpm), then I let off. If I'm shifting quickly, I don't pivot, since pivoting is slower but smoother. Don't think you're doing anything wrong, wouldn't worry about it.
Nice of you to teach her on your 6MT though. I know with 5+ years in a relationship, it wouldn't happen with me, haha
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#13
Registered User
In all honesty, I considered letting her race it. I've heard that's another way to teach novices to drive. FLOOR + dump clutch. I opted not to though, for sake of my own sanity...lol and my heart.
And definitely ditch the flip-flops. Ive been driving manuals for a good while now and still drive like **** with flipflops, so i don't do it. Get a good pair of pumas....they make for nice driving shoes with thin soles (at least the ones I have do).....
#14
I have to give props to you. No many guys try and teach their woman how to drive manual. Nor do many guys want to teach them in their own nice car. I know that I personally wouldn't teach them in my very own nice car, nor would I let them drive my car.... then again, that will probably change the day I get engaged or married..
#15
I don't see how ANY of you guys can possibly pivot your clutch foot on its heel. Of all the G37s I've driven, all of them have clutch pedals that engage way up in the air at the top of the clutch pedal travel. No part of my foot is anywhere near the floor when shifting!!