So I recently bought a 96 Accord LX 5 speed. This is also my first time ever driving a manual transmission. Ive been driving alone for a few days now and quickly getting the hang of it. But I do have a few questions.

1. What should the RPM's reach before I switch gears, especially in first ? Ive been waiting until the RPM's reach about 3000 and switching then, but it seems to switch better and smoother at 2500. Next time Im on the road Im going to try to switch at 2000 and see if it does even better.
2. I go through several stop lights during my drive to work. When I see the light turn red I just put it in neutral and coast to a stop. If I have to speed up again I just put it in whatever gear I should be in from neutral. I haven't really had that much experience down shifting yet, so this is what Ive been doing.
3. I calculated the last time I filled my tank up that Ive been getting 23 MPG. It doesn't seem like much. But being a new manual driver I tend to rev up the engine alot, especially in first gear. So I'm hoping that's the reason for the low gas mileage, and will get more once I'm more experienced and smooth.
4. I seem to take off a little slow. Alot more slow than the other drivers, which causes people to get angry with me. Lol. Is this normal for a 5 speed, or will I get quicker with experience ?

Any more tips or advice ?

 

Welcome!

1 - No solid rule. Try 2500 or 2200 when you're driving in a relaxed manner. For maximum acceleration shift at redline. For best MPG shift at 2000 or so. It's not supposed to ALWAYS be done at the same RPM.

2 - Coming up to a redlight, leave it in gear & don't press the clutch. Just lift the gas pedal & coast like that until it slows down to say 1500 then press in the clutch. Probably before that happens the light turns green; then shift into some appropriate gear & go.

3 - It should get better when you're smoother with shifting & deciding what gear to be in. Best MPG is when you're in the highest gear that doesn't bog down & lose power. But you'll have to downshift when you want to accelerate. If you're always in a lower gear (higher RPM) then you're ready to mash the gas pedal instantly, but MPG suffers.

4 - Practice. Then practice some more.

It's easier to give tips in person when I can watch your actual habits. Got any friends who are real good with manual-trans? Ask them to ride along & watch you. Ask em not to laugh too much...

 

23 does seem low even for a first time manual driver, I'd keep an eye on that. I was getting 30+ in my 95 Accord, and it had a bad o2 sensor.

Jim pretty covered the questions well so I will just wish you luck in your expertise of manual transmission. I love manual cars, they are a lot of fun.

 

One final tip, when you're on an upslope the car will drift back as you attempt to start w/ one foot on clutch and other on accelerator. On sufficiently steep hills this can cause stalling or other embarrasing situations (like rolling back into someone behind you).

Use the emergency brake to hold the car as you apply throttle pedal and engage clutch, and release emergency brake as you fully engage the clutch.

good luck

 

The hill thing reminded me of how I taught my daughters. We've got a parking lot with a slope nearby. Just enough slope for the car to roll gently backwards.

I made them practice on that hill by balancing gas & clutch to hold the car in one place without the brakes. Balance it at 2000 rpm. That'll teach you fine control over the 2 pedals at the same time.

The little bit of wear on the clutch was worth it to develop their skills. Still, those clutches lasted until I sold the cars, so no big harm was done.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Stay connected...

 

Welcome

 

You will know when you have it down by being able to guess the exact rmp needed to downshift without the car lunging as you let off the clutch. Practice on a hill using the E-brake a little gas then a little clutch just until the RPM's drop. let off the e-brake and give it somemore gas while slowly letting out the clutch. Good luck.

 

Hey your doing just fine. I replaced a clutch on a 07 accord with 4200 miles on it. She tried learning to use a clutch in San Francisco.