I know this sounds really stupid, but I find myself being consistently behind caravans and corollas when starting from a stop, unless I mash the throttle. How do you accelerate more quickly during casual driving? I shift out of first at around 3k RPM... is this too late?

 

Hmm.... so you want to accelerate as fast or faster than average traffic around you? That's easy....give it more gas and let the clutch out faster. And there's no set rule where you shift. You can wind it out to redline in first gear if you wanted. If anything, 3K rpm is too early if you're looking for a fast getway from a stop.

Is this your first stick shift car?

 

Yes
I think it may be taking me too long to shift also... at least the 1-2 shift... I feel like it's too jerky if I don't wait a split second before letting out the clutch in the 1-2 shift

 

So whatever this guy is doing, do it faster..



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if it's you're first M/T just give it time. you'll get better at down shifting + rev matching and accelerating nice and quick. 99% of the time I can down shift+rev match and other than the sound you would never know I changed gears...it'll come, don't worry

 

I mean everything else is fine right now... It's just that I feel like I'm usually behind the average car when starting from a stop.... like the car doesn't have as much "go" in first... perhaps I should just change into second right when the car starts moving

 

the G responds completely differently off the line if you stomp it in 1st or just casually run up the RPM's...seriously, just go to a track and play around with it some, you'll get a good feel for it in no time

 

well its alot easier for an auto to start moving from a stop. They just step on the gas. You gotta engage gears so it takes a second longer.


To clear up the jerkiness from 1-2 you gotta ease off the clutch like you do for 1st. You cant just let go all at once.

 

I am normally out of 1st gear around 2k-2500. There is lots of acceleration in 2nd, 3rd gear.. and 1st gear is kinda too torquey to be smooth.

 

rev to 3k rpm and drop the clutch while slamming the throttle

 

You'll be ahead of other cars in no time. lol

 

Just give it some more gas. Im sure you're just used to holding the pedal and not moving your foot like it is in an automatic. Push the pedal some more and listen to the great exhaust note.

 

first gear is too short in these cars. I normally start in second. If I do start in first I get out as soon as its rolling. Second has plenty of power to accelerate strong from low low speed.