Recommendations for stick shift driving lessons in Auckland, preferably westgate / central.

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Recommendations for stick shift driving lessons in Auckland, preferably westgate / central.

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gzt

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#3078737 22-May-2023 18:14

Nikras: It's been so long that when I went to test drive a manual car, I kept stalling. I just got out of the car after 5 minutes and gave up. I felt extremely embarrassed. But I really want to learn to drive a stick shift again.

I'm curious what car this was? Likewise I've been driving auto for years and no problem going back to shift of any kind. As I recollect anything manual and sporty tends to have a stiff and fine clutch action that takes a short time to get used to including a few stalls and skids off the lights. Trucks can be difficult and quirky. A few pointers from an owner can get you going without trouble usually.

gzt

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#3078738 22-May-2023 18:20

Yes, I am looking to get a Civic type R

Aha!

MadEngineer

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#3079751 26-May-2023 09:34

Earbanean:
Technofreak:

You'll know you've got it properly sorted when you can do a hill start without having to use the handbrake and can time the use of the clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals to move away smoothly. 😎

How do you do a hill start without the handbrake?

. Push the button labelled as “HSA”.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

Technofreak

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#3079779 26-May-2023 10:56

MadEngineer:
Earbanean:

How do you do a hill start without the handbrake?

. Push the button labelled as “HSA”.

That function operates automatically on one of my cars. no button required.

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mudguard

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#3079804 26-May-2023 14:15

Technofreak:

That function operates automatically on one of my cars. no button required.

Actually that's a feature in the Civic Type R too, I think it engages the rear brake when you stop. I panicked when I first drove one trying to find (electronic) handbrake, and was told, don't worry, the brake disengages when you start rolling or something.

johno1234

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#3079806 26-May-2023 14:23

dpf81nz:

Given nearly all cars are auto these days, do you need to? unless you are specifically looking at buying a manual? I learned to drive manual 25 years ago, never owned a manual car in that time. I think i've needed to drive one twice and after a few mins of figuring the clutch out on the particular car i got the hang of it

Manual driving is a licence endorsement for under 21's IIRC. It is a requirement for a lot of trades training and the like as service utes and vans are often manual.

Geektastic

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#3082557 30-May-2023 20:18

roobarb:

Find someone with a 1970s LandRover and then you can go through the whole double-clutching experience.

Any car with a non-syncromesh box will let you experience that!

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GV27

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#3082636 31-May-2023 08:49

I can recommend 2007+ era Mini for learning to drive a manual. That Getrag box is the smoothest of any car I have driven, be it economy, performance or otherwise. Bonus marks for the pedals being generously spaced so that even someone with larger feet and inflexible ankles like me can blip the throttle on downshift.

Just a shame about almost every other component of the car 😄

martyyn

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#3086437 8-Jun-2023 10:33

dpf81nz:

Given nearly all cars are auto these days, do you need to? unless you are specifically looking at buying a manual? I learned to drive manual 25 years ago, never owned a manual car in that time. I think i've needed to drive one twice and after a few mins of figuring the clutch out on the particular car i got the hang of it

Just back from three weeks in Argentina. Good luck finding an auto over there. Even the ute's and SUV's (as few of them as there are) are manual.

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