Alright, 1st time 5spd owner and I have some basic question on how to drive/operation
12-04-2003, 11:08 AM
#1
Alright, 1st time 5spd owner and I have some basic question on how to drive/operation
Even thought this is my 6th car, and my 4th maxima, this is the first car i have owend for over a weeks time that is a 5spd. I can drive a 5spd pretty well considering I do not have a lot of time/experiance under my belt. I am no longer deathly scared when i am on a hill, and i am begining to learn how to shift fast. but anyway... a few questions...
1.) how does your STOCK shifter feel going in and out of gears? Some of my gears are very smooth, and require hardly any effort to push, but some i feel resistance, and i can feel it "click" in twice into gear. odd...
2.) Is it bad to do hard shifts? i mean if i shift from 1st to 2nd, and it engages hard, but does not slip, or chirp the tires. Also, is it bad if i get lazy and i do not let off the clutch smootly and it just jerks alittle? sometime after a lot of driving my foot gets tired, and i don't relize where the clutch is.
3.) why is it hard for me to put the car into 1st when i am only going 3-5 mph? when i do, i can feel the gears inside rejecting it, and it is very rough.. i mean i do not want to put it into 2nd, because my rmps will be too low.
Any help will be appreciated... Thanks
Chris
1.) how does your STOCK shifter feel going in and out of gears? Some of my gears are very smooth, and require hardly any effort to push, but some i feel resistance, and i can feel it "click" in twice into gear. odd...
2.) Is it bad to do hard shifts? i mean if i shift from 1st to 2nd, and it engages hard, but does not slip, or chirp the tires. Also, is it bad if i get lazy and i do not let off the clutch smootly and it just jerks alittle? sometime after a lot of driving my foot gets tired, and i don't relize where the clutch is.
3.) why is it hard for me to put the car into 1st when i am only going 3-5 mph? when i do, i can feel the gears inside rejecting it, and it is very rough.. i mean i do not want to put it into 2nd, because my rmps will be too low.
Any help will be appreciated... Thanks
Chris
12-04-2003, 11:19 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 259
First, the transition on my 95 is somewhat clicky into a gear, but nothing abnormal. I can't say what would really become of hard shifting, but I've had my 95 for 4 years, and I'm pretty rough on the stick, but I always get that clutch in and out completely. Shifting to 1st is tough in many cars, and there is a reason, but I'm not sure what it is, but I know someone on here knows.
12-04-2003, 11:20 AM
#3
1) my stock shifter feels the same. Consider upgrading to redline MT-90 gear oil..Its supposed to help
2)of course its bad! Your foot will grow stronger
3)your syncros wont let you into gear until you are a near stop, use second for that, it won't be that bad, the vq has lots of low end torque you wont hurt anything imho DO not EVER force the car into 1st @ 5 mph please! Either come to a complete stop or use second!
4) Don't downshift when coming up to a light, shift into neutral, let off the clutch, and coast to a stop. Do not put the car back in first until the light turns green. it will a)give your foot some rest b) provide less wear on your throw out bearing and think of it this way, would you rather replace your brakes or tranny.. engine braking really isnt good for the car.
4) get an sts, or chop your stock shifter, (see my thread in this forum) it makes driving a 5 speed easier, with faster shifts, and you will enjoy the car more.
5) you should trade cars with me
2)of course its bad! Your foot will grow stronger
3)your syncros wont let you into gear until you are a near stop, use second for that, it won't be that bad, the vq has lots of low end torque you wont hurt anything imho DO not EVER force the car into 1st @ 5 mph please! Either come to a complete stop or use second!
4) Don't downshift when coming up to a light, shift into neutral, let off the clutch, and coast to a stop. Do not put the car back in first until the light turns green. it will a)give your foot some rest b) provide less wear on your throw out bearing and think of it this way, would you rather replace your brakes or tranny.. engine braking really isnt good for the car.
4) get an sts, or chop your stock shifter, (see my thread in this forum) it makes driving a 5 speed easier, with faster shifts, and you will enjoy the car more.
5) you should trade cars with me
12-04-2003, 01:40 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 93
To get it into first.. try putting it in neutral, and release the clutch first. Then try to put it in first again.. it also helps if u tap the gas a little.. it should slide smoothly into first. I would just shift to second @5mph though.
12-04-2003, 02:10 PM
#10
hills are easy... Just Hold the brake with your right foot, and slowly release the clutch with your left until you see the rpms just start to move, then let your foot off the brake, give her some gas and let the clutch out simultaneously! 
and the better thing to say would have been
I still fear hills
and the better thing to say would have been I still fear hills
12-04-2003, 02:31 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,158
I have had my 5spd for a year now, and I love it. I have the notchy feeling gear change mainly when its cold out, but my clutch is starting to go on me I think, at least I think its slipping.
Hills are cake. Do what I did. Go find a deserted road on a hill and practice a little. Hills are a peice of cake now and there is nothing to fear!
Hills are cake. Do what I did. Go find a deserted road on a hill and practice a little. Hills are a peice of cake now and there is nothing to fear!
12-04-2003, 02:47 PM
#12
Well, i think i fried my clutch between yesterday and today.
Last night i was out with a few friends, and i was going about 40mph. i was on a main 4 lane street when a minivan pulls out of wendeys really fast and i was just in awe. i slammed on the brakes, and since i do NOT have ABS, my tires just locked up for about 10 feet and the smoke was flowing. i came within inches of the guys bumper. i was so ripsh!t! so obviously since i was made i dropped first, did a burnout, slammed it into second, and was starting to catch up with him. i finally did, and i looked over and put my window down and started to go apesh!t on them. the van was full of asian weomen. (i do not mean to offend anyone.) she simply shruged here shoulders and made a "i don't give a **** face." i felt like jumping out of my car and wrapping my hands around her neck. (but i am not a violent person.) 
but anyway, the point of the story is... when i slammed it into 2nd, the engine just revved really high for a long time. (5-6 seconds.) and then it finally grabbed and i took off. after that the clutch was slipping like mad. it was hard to take off, and it was weird changing gears... felt like nothing was there.
then again today, i was going up this big busy stop and go hill, and i was slipping the clutch alot because i didn't want to hit the person behind me the was continualy on my A$$. after that, once again the clutch was slipping alot.
bah... this bites. i think i should drive my car easyier...
Last night i was out with a few friends, and i was going about 40mph. i was on a main 4 lane street when a minivan pulls out of wendeys really fast and i was just in awe. i slammed on the brakes, and since i do NOT have ABS, my tires just locked up for about 10 feet and the smoke was flowing. i came within inches of the guys bumper. i was so ripsh!t! so obviously since i was made i dropped first, did a burnout, slammed it into second, and was starting to catch up with him. i finally did, and i looked over and put my window down and started to go apesh!t on them. the van was full of asian weomen. (i do not mean to offend anyone.
) she simply shruged here shoulders and made a "i don't give a **** face." i felt like jumping out of my car and wrapping my hands around her neck. (but i am not a violent person.) but anyway, the point of the story is... when i slammed it into 2nd, the engine just revved really high for a long time. (5-6 seconds.) and then it finally grabbed and i took off. after that the clutch was slipping like mad. it was hard to take off, and it was weird changing gears... felt like nothing was there.
then again today, i was going up this big busy stop and go hill, and i was slipping the clutch alot because i didn't want to hit the person behind me the was continualy on my A$$. after that, once again the clutch was slipping alot.
bah... this bites. i think i should drive my car easyier...
12-04-2003, 02:54 PM
#13
Originally Posted by 97blackSE
1) my stock shifter feels the same. Consider upgrading to redline MT-90 gear oil..Its supposed to help
2)of course its bad! Your foot will grow stronger
3)your syncros wont let you into gear until you are a near stop, use second for that, it won't be that bad, the vq has lots of low end torque you wont hurt anything imho DO not EVER force the car into 1st @ 5 mph please! Either come to a complete stop or use second!
4) Don't downshift when coming up to a light, shift into neutral, let off the clutch, and coast to a stop. Do not put the car back in first until the light turns green. it will a)give your foot some rest b) provide less wear on your throw out bearing and think of it this way, would you rather replace your brakes or tranny.. engine braking really isnt good for the car.
4) get an sts, or chop your stock shifter, (see my thread in this forum) it makes driving a 5 speed easier, with faster shifts, and you will enjoy the car more.
5) you should trade cars with me
2)of course its bad! Your foot will grow stronger
3)your syncros wont let you into gear until you are a near stop, use second for that, it won't be that bad, the vq has lots of low end torque you wont hurt anything imho DO not EVER force the car into 1st @ 5 mph please! Either come to a complete stop or use second!
4) Don't downshift when coming up to a light, shift into neutral, let off the clutch, and coast to a stop. Do not put the car back in first until the light turns green. it will a)give your foot some rest b) provide less wear on your throw out bearing and think of it this way, would you rather replace your brakes or tranny.. engine braking really isnt good for the car.
4) get an sts, or chop your stock shifter, (see my thread in this forum) it makes driving a 5 speed easier, with faster shifts, and you will enjoy the car more.
5) you should trade cars with me
i want to saw my stick, but i do not like messing with stuff like that... i am scared i will cut it to short, or i will mess up something..
sure! i'll tade car with you... you just tell me the time/place and i'll be there! Chris
12-04-2003, 02:58 PM
#14
at the meet this december
And there is really no reason to downshift up to a light.... when you are coming to a stop...downshifting to a lower gear to whoop some @ss or gain more speed etc...but when coming to a light pop it into neutral and love it!
And get an exedy clutch now...and prepare to faint when you see the bill for install
And there is really no reason to downshift up to a light.... when you are coming to a stop...downshifting to a lower gear to whoop some @ss or gain more speed etc...but when coming to a light pop it into neutral and love it!
And get an exedy clutch now...and prepare to faint when you see the bill for install
12-04-2003, 03:24 PM
#15
Originally Posted by 97blackSE
at the meet this december
And there is really no reason to downshift up to a light.... when you are coming to a stop...downshifting to a lower gear to whoop some @ss or gain more speed etc...but when coming to a light pop it into neutral and love it!
And get an exedy clutch now...and prepare to faint when you see the bill for install
And there is really no reason to downshift up to a light.... when you are coming to a stop...downshifting to a lower gear to whoop some @ss or gain more speed etc...but when coming to a light pop it into neutral and love it!
And get an exedy clutch now...and prepare to faint when you see the bill for install
i have been reading a few threads about aftermarket clutches, and they say that if you are not running FI, then do not bother, because the aftermarket clutch will kill the tranny faster. i really do not want to do that if it is true what they say.
and it will only cost me for the clutch because my car need to go to the tranny shop to get fixed, so they will have it open anyway. (2nd gear grinds... but it is under warrenty.)
i also need to find out if the can adjust my clutch so it does not catch all the way at the top... i dislike it. also need to figure out if they can adjust the tension of the clutch pedal so it feels smoother like emax02's 2002 max... i love his car.
Chris
12-04-2003, 04:04 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Blkmax95c
i have been reading a few threads about aftermarket clutches, and they say that if you are not running FI, then do not bother, because the aftermarket clutch will kill the tranny faster. i really do not want to do that if it is true what they say.
Chris
Chris
Ive read many posts regarding clutches killing trannies. I ve spoken to many as well, many seem to say ACT clutches are the culprit. Some say they are just too much for the Maximas' tranny. However ive known people to go quite a while with them and have no problems. I personally dont feel its the clutch killing the tranny but the way they drive the car thats killing them.
I havent heard anything bad about Exedy Clutches. I have an Exedy Stage 1 and luv it.
to flavors post
12-04-2003, 04:19 PM
#19
Originally Posted by FLAVOR247
Ive read many posts regarding clutches killing trannies. I ve spoken to many as well, many seem to say ACT clutches are the culprit. Some say they are just too much for the Maximas' tranny. However ive known people to go quite a while with them and have no problems. I personally dont feel its the clutch killing the tranny but the way they drive the car thats killing them.
I havent heard anything bad about Exedy Clutches. I have an Exedy Stage 1 and luv it.
I havent heard anything bad about Exedy Clutches. I have an Exedy Stage 1 and luv it.
hmmm... so how is the exedy changed from the stock? what is diffrent about it? how does it feel? does it last as long as the stock clutch?
12-04-2003, 04:46 PM
#21
Originally Posted by 97blackSE
it has a better disk, provides more friction. The clutch grabs 2x% harder and better, feels great and it should last longer!
damn, maybe i will give it a try then... where can i get one... how much?
12-04-2003, 04:57 PM
#22
hey chris,
1) my car shifts very nice and to be honest it took a while to get used to how close together some of the gears are, and also im 6'2" and im used to sitting a certain way so it took me a while to learn how to drive stick.
2) im not to sure about the hard shifts since this is my first car that is stick. but im sure hat the car can handle it and once you get better at stick the jerky ness will lessen. trust me when i got behind the wheel of my maxima and learned how to drive stick as i went along, the jerkyness was so bad that people stopped ridding wit me, but as i got better i learned how to work it better and its almost gone.
3) 1st gear and alot of times going into reverse can be very hard. im not sure but i think that it may take a while for the tranny to stop spinning and thus lockin out reverse. and going into first has been hit or miss since ive owned my car. sometimes the car goes into first easily and other times it wont go at all. even worse there would be times that it would go into first and the car would go ape **** and spin the tires.
and how do i go about joining the 5-speed club?????
hope i helped,
Will
1) my car shifts very nice and to be honest it took a while to get used to how close together some of the gears are, and also im 6'2" and im used to sitting a certain way so it took me a while to learn how to drive stick.
2) im not to sure about the hard shifts since this is my first car that is stick. but im sure hat the car can handle it and once you get better at stick the jerky ness will lessen. trust me when i got behind the wheel of my maxima and learned how to drive stick as i went along, the jerkyness was so bad that people stopped ridding wit me, but as i got better i learned how to work it better and its almost gone.
3) 1st gear and alot of times going into reverse can be very hard. im not sure but i think that it may take a while for the tranny to stop spinning and thus lockin out reverse. and going into first has been hit or miss since ive owned my car. sometimes the car goes into first easily and other times it wont go at all. even worse there would be times that it would go into first and the car would go ape **** and spin the tires.
and how do i go about joining the 5-speed club?????
hope i helped,
Will
12-04-2003, 06:25 PM
#24
Originally Posted by liqidvenom
hey chris,
1) my car shifts very nice and to be honest it took a while to get used to how close together some of the gears are, and also im 6'2" and im used to sitting a certain way so it took me a while to learn how to drive stick.
2) im not to sure about the hard shifts since this is my first car that is stick. but im sure hat the car can handle it and once you get better at stick the jerky ness will lessen. trust me when i got behind the wheel of my maxima and learned how to drive stick as i went along, the jerkyness was so bad that people stopped ridding wit me, but as i got better i learned how to work it better and its almost gone.
3) 1st gear and alot of times going into reverse can be very hard. im not sure but i think that it may take a while for the tranny to stop spinning and thus lockin out reverse. and going into first has been hit or miss since ive owned my car. sometimes the car goes into first easily and other times it wont go at all. even worse there would be times that it would go into first and the car would go ape **** and spin the tires.
and how do i go about joining the 5-speed club?????
hope i helped,
Will
1) my car shifts very nice and to be honest it took a while to get used to how close together some of the gears are, and also im 6'2" and im used to sitting a certain way so it took me a while to learn how to drive stick.
2) im not to sure about the hard shifts since this is my first car that is stick. but im sure hat the car can handle it and once you get better at stick the jerky ness will lessen. trust me when i got behind the wheel of my maxima and learned how to drive stick as i went along, the jerkyness was so bad that people stopped ridding wit me, but as i got better i learned how to work it better and its almost gone.
3) 1st gear and alot of times going into reverse can be very hard. im not sure but i think that it may take a while for the tranny to stop spinning and thus lockin out reverse. and going into first has been hit or miss since ive owned my car. sometimes the car goes into first easily and other times it wont go at all. even worse there would be times that it would go into first and the car would go ape **** and spin the tires.
and how do i go about joining the 5-speed club?????
hope i helped,
Will
Thanks will. i am 6'2 -6'3 as well, and it is also hard for me too find a good setting for the seat... thats why i get so ****ed off when i rarely let someone else drive my car.
lol... oh well i am a much better driver now, but there were just some things i didn't understand.Chris
12-04-2003, 06:27 PM
#25
Originally Posted by erty67
Chris, told ya we should've swapped trannies
thats enough out of you Ed! LOL... stop posting in my threads!
J/K... just remember... i can do this -->
heheheh hey did you decide if you are going to the next meet or not? i am still undecided, but i am def. not going if we are going to be having snow like we are having tomorrow... 8 inches stinks... bah.
Chris
12-04-2003, 11:07 PM
#26
Originally Posted by Blkmax95c
thats enough out of you Ed! LOL... stop posting in my threads! J/K...
just remember... i can do this --> heheheh
hey did you decide if you are going to the next meet or not? i am still undecided, but i am def. not going if we are going to be having snow like we are having tomorrow... 8 inches stinks... bah.
Chris
J/K... just remember... i can do this -->
heheheh hey did you decide if you are going to the next meet or not? i am still undecided, but i am def. not going if we are going to be having snow like we are having tomorrow... 8 inches stinks... bah.
Chris
12-05-2003, 03:38 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 103
Accually this is the first car that fits me. My 240 was cramped and the ebrake always would rub on my leg driving and drifting. I would have a hard time setting the ebrake down. It would always go down the last 2 clicks because it would get caught on my leg. I'm 6'2 also. This car feels comfortable. I might have a hard time adjusting to the 240. Nick
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