6 Speed Tips
6 Speed Tips Hey guys, I just got my new 2001 black/black WS6 M6 yesterday! This is my first stick shift, so i'm kind of learning and slow right now, but I should get better. Do you guys have any tips to make it easier, such as starting from a stop, or especially starting on a hill (this seems kind of scary!) Anyways, it is all new to me, but I really wanted a manual in this car, so I knew I would have to take the time and learn! So any tips on those things or any other things would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
P.S. How long on average did it take you guys to learn it and be pretty good with it? Just trying to get some confidence! Thanks again, you guys are awesome!
P.S. How long on average did it take you guys to learn it and be pretty good with it? Just trying to get some confidence! Thanks again, you guys are awesome!
Re: 6 Speed Tips Just drive around and practice, practice, practice. Although I kinda knew how to drive a manual, my Z28 was the first stick I owned. I just remember being totally confused by the "skip shift" at first (you'll want to get rid of that) as well as missing third gear like it was my job when shifting aggressively. In a couple days you will notice a vast improvement in your smoothness, and in time you will get the hang of it better and get pretty good. IMO it takes years and years of driving a stick to become a true professional at it. The LS1s are really easy to drive, and the gobs and gobs of torque make the car virtually impossible to stall. Just remember though, any damage you do to the clutch during your learning experience, is just an excuse to buy a better clutch. Good luck!!
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
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From: McKinney, TX
Re: 6 Speed Tips a little help on starting on hills....while keeping your foot on the brake, let the clutch out as slow as you can. you will start to see the rpm's fall. at that point the clutch is trying to engage. when that happens, let off of the brake and give it some gas and take off normal. try this somewhere where there is little to no traffic, and just get the feel for where the clutch starts to engage. get to the point where you can sit still on a hill without putting your foot on the brake and without rolling forward. dont do this a lot though because it isnt good for the clutch, it is just a way to get a feel for where the clutch engages. and remember, let the clutch out slow. ive let my mom drive my car before, and i thought i was going to throw up everytime she shifted into second, because she would let the clutch out too fast and shake my head back and forth. i hope all of that made sense. practice, practice, practice. good luck. 
Re: 6 Speed Tips And look at your thumb when your shifting, thumb placement on the shift **** plays a big part too. You will notice the when the position on you thumb changes on the shifter **** that it automaticly changes the position of your elbow, and that can mean the difference in shifting into 4th gear, or missing and going back to 2nd. To show you what im talking about sit in the car with it off, place the shifter in 3rd gear, and put your hand on top with all your fingers facing down. The closer your thumb is to your leg, the more its gona want to go back to 2nd gear. The rotate it away from your leg, and have your thumb towards the back of the ****. You will notice the change. Rotate your thumb too much and it will want to throw you in 6th. Hope this helps
Re: 6 Speed Tips i have an idea! dump the M6 and get a A4 with a TC !! no really i think there was a link some where that showed proper shifting techniques. Just try to shift before it hits around 6k rpm. Personally I like A4 better even though it had a lot more hp loss in drivetrain
7 Second Club
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Grove City Ohio/Port Washington L.I sometimes
Re: 6 Speed Tips When starting on a hill you can pull the E-brake as you let the clutch out slowly release the brake.This is the way my dad taught me,it will save you from rolling back into the Lexus behind you 
.Keep your foot off clutch pedal when not using it also,will save clutch wear.Happy 
.Keep your foot off clutch pedal when not using it also,will save clutch wear.Happy Re: 6 Speed Tips My Firehawk was my first manual transmission as well. I went out late at night to the steepest hills in our area (not easy to do in Illinois) and practiced taking off. I'd stop on a hill, get going, then brake and then go to neutral and roll back down and start again until I got smooth.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: I-L-L-I-N-O-I-S
Re: 6 Speed Tips Hey...I bought my '02 M6 Z28 brand-new last July without EVER having even driven a manual transmission powered car before(the salesman had to drive it 45 minutes home for me!).
It's all about practice, practice, practice. Like the last guy said, go out late at night(after midnight) and just drive around while working on your takeoffs, shifting of gears, and hills. That's what I did and sometimes didn't come back until nearly 3AM in the morning. 
Most importantly, you have to develop the correct "feel" for driving a stick-shift(especially the proper timing of both the gas/clutch). Once you do, it will all just become natural(or very smooth).
Anyway, the first three weeks were he!! for me. But over the course of a couple months, I finally got "comfortable" with it to the point that everything just flows and I don't really think about it anymore. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of my old A4(especially in heavy traffic or parking lots), but it's all good.
Launching is a major PITA(still haven't got it down), but you'll quickly find that the LS1/M6 combo was made for the open road. Nothing beats ripping through the gears. Just beware of cops...
Mike
It's all about practice, practice, practice.
Like the last guy said, go out late at night(after midnight) and just drive around while working on your takeoffs, shifting of gears, and hills. That's what I did and sometimes didn't come back until nearly 3AM in the morning. Most importantly, you have to develop the correct "feel" for driving a stick-shift(especially the proper timing of both the gas/clutch). Once you do, it will all just become natural(or very smooth).Anyway, the first three weeks were he!! for me. But over the course of a couple months, I finally got "comfortable" with it to the point that everything just flows and I don't really think about it anymore. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of my old A4(especially in heavy traffic or parking lots), but it's all good.
Launching is a major PITA(still haven't got it down), but you'll quickly find that the LS1/M6 combo was made for the open road. Nothing beats ripping through the gears. Just beware of cops...
Mike
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Illinois
Re: 6 Speed Tips I got an even better idea...Pop the clutch out and while doing so...mash the gas down as far as it can go. Be careful though, lots of fishtailing involved. 
No but everyone has some awesome tips. I have been driving manual for three years now and am really impressed with those tips. Thanks
Mike
No but everyone has some awesome tips. I have been driving manual for three years now and am really impressed with those tips. Thanks
Mike
Re: 6 Speed Tips Just go into any good sized empty parking lot. Learn to feather he clutch. Without using the gas or the brake pedals, let the cluth out slowly until the car starts to move. As your letting out the clutch, slowly push down the gas pedal. It should be an equal give/take between the clutch and gas. Most importantly have patience and practice, practice, practice. You'll get the hang of it and wonder why you ever had to ask us.
Re: 6 Speed Tips You will find out pretty quick if you should have a stick. Takes a little practice and a clutch....
The LS-1 is pretty easy to drive compared to some. If you are cut out for it, you will be dropping 5-2 at 60mph soon enough.
The LS-1 is pretty easy to drive compared to some. If you are cut out for it, you will be dropping 5-2 at 60mph soon enough.
Re: 6 Speed Tips Congratulations on picking up a manual... you'll soon learn that your arm and left leg will never get bored again. 
I dunno if this was just me or not, but I learned how to drive stick in a hilly area. When you learn there, you HAVE to learn fast. Just a suggestion, try it, you might master the clutch a lot faster.
I dunno if this was just me or not, but I learned how to drive stick in a hilly area. When you learn there, you HAVE to learn fast. Just a suggestion, try it, you might master the clutch a lot faster. 