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**forreal** · 08-13-2005, 03:05 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

alrighty thanks guys i will try everyones suggestions/tips..i really apperciate all the help. thanks guys

**kuhli** · 08-13-2005, 05:14 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Practice revving the engine to about 1500 or 1800 rpm, the idea is to bump the rpm's up a bit(you don't want to hold it there, just give the gas a tap), and develop some momentum in the engine. You don't ever want to release the clutch while the rev's are coming up, while the revs are dropping let the clutch out somewhat quickly, but not so fast the car lurches.

You can practice this in a parking lot. You will want to be cautious with how much you do this until you get the hang of it(catch 22) because it can be hard on the clutch if done too aggresively. However once you get the hang of it, you'll be driving like everyone else out there. It's the only method to get the get the car moving quickly or on a hill.

**aussiefishy** · 08-14-2005, 03:12 AM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

slipping clutches? i have never had that happened before... how does it feel? is it because the clutch are worn? i am not an experienced driver so i have no idea about slipping...

what i suggeted is that you rev it up and as other said, you do not want to release clutch when the rev is going up. (that is one really good point!)

anywaz... my method might not be the most correct... but it gets me around

**forreal** · 08-14-2005, 08:39 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

hey guys i tried everyones suggestions but i still cant seem to get down the whole first gear/uphill thing. im getting a lilttle better at the first gear thing but uphill is not happening for me....i tried everyone im running out of possibilities, i even tried calling every single driving school in calgary they said they all booked for a month-2 straight..i apperciate the help though guys
im lost i dont know what to do now

**bart** · 08-15-2005, 03:03 AM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

LOL, well, 2 things then:

-avoid hills
-maybe "hire" someone from here at the next meet, the BP has a big one driving in from heritage drive, good practice on that

**VAG_Tech** · 08-15-2005, 07:39 AM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Originally posted by aussiefishy

slipping clutches? i have never had that happened before... how does it feel? is it because the clutch are worn? i am not an experienced driver so i have no idea about slipping...

You will know your clutch is slipping when your driving and hit the throttle. If the rpm's go up but the car doesn't move then your clutch is either worn or oil contaminated from a worn rear main seal or transaxle seal.

**Bora_4_Me** · 08-15-2005, 07:49 AM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Try finding a dirt road with a small hill on it as the dirt will be more forgiving and if you mess up it will spin a little easier rather than stall. When you master the dirt with out spinning your wheels try pavement again.

**James** · 08-15-2005, 07:58 AM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Practice on someones driveway? Most are on a bit of a hill...just watch for garage doors!

**Tuna** · 08-15-2005, 01:25 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Honestly, don't stress yourself out too much about it. It will just take practice. You will find that once you start to figure it out it will get progresively easier.

Everyone's had to learn so don't get stressed or embarased. Most the people that laugh are probably driving automatics.

As the other have suggested, find a hill somewhere where there's not much traffic and just practice, that way you're not afraid to roll back a bit and you won't be nervous because there won't be anyone around looking at you.

**Kor** · 08-15-2005, 01:41 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Yeah it takes time, don't get discouraged. Its a skill that once you learn lasts a lifetime, if it was super easy they wouldn't make automatics! Trust us when we say you can get the hang of it and if you put in the effort soon you'll be heel-toe shifting, double clutching or whatever you want to do.

You could definitely get someone with more experience to ride along with you and make some suggestions. Its hard to know what to suggest, everyone struggles with different things. For me it was just learning to let the clutch out slower and to not be nervous.

If you drive a 1.8T and know anyone who would let you borrow a TDI, the TDI is about 3x easier to launch.

**James** · 08-15-2005, 02:46 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Ya, dont feel bad first and foremost haha...In the last month ive seen a corvette, a porsche (boxter, but still) and even a ferarri stall!

**forreal** · 08-15-2005, 03:38 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Originally posted by Kor

Yeah it takes time, don't get discouraged. Its a skill that once you learn lasts a lifetime, if it was super easy they wouldn't make automatics! Trust us when we say you can get the hang of it and if you put in the effort soon you'll be heel-toe shifting, double clutching or whatever you want to do.

You could definitely get someone with more experience to ride along with you and make some suggestions. Its hard to know what to suggest, everyone struggles with different things. For me it was just learning to let the clutch out slower and to not be nervous.

If you drive a 1.8T and know anyone who would let you borrow a TDI, the TDI is about 3x easier to launch.

i hope you guys are right, about "you will get the hang of it".. the main things im struggling with is that im holding the clutch down too long im proably holding it down for like 5seconds but if i try letting go of it eariler my car just jerks and stalls..like if i hold it down for like 5 seconds i can get it to smoothly take off but thats not the proper way to do it and its bad for your clutch...and the other thing is; uphill without the handbrake thing its pretty much impossible for me....yeah so pretty much i have to learn to let go off the clutch more quicker, and learn the uphill thing...other then those 2 things i can drive once i get the car rolling...i never knew the tdi is easier to launch, but oh well i dont know anyone witha tdi so thats out of the picture...the thing is i dont wanna give up i really like this car and im sorta lost...again i really aperciate the replies
thanks guys

**forreal** · 08-16-2005, 01:52 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

would any of u guys know someone that could like help me out with uphill please? like im willing to pay him/her.. thanks

**Tuna** · 08-16-2005, 02:02 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Originally posted by forreal

would any of u guys know someone that could like help me out with uphill please? like im willing to pay him/her.. thanks

Maybe come out to our mini meet and watch someone more experienced do it. Perhaps seeing some one do it first hand may help.

**forreal** · 08-16-2005, 02:13 PM

Re: newbie 5 speed driver

Originally posted by Tuna

Maybe come out to our mini meet and watch someone more experienced do it. Perhaps seeing some one do it first hand may help.

that would kinda be embarrasing i was thinking more of like a one on one type lesson or soemthing.

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