I love my new 2010 Mazda GS!

[Juny]

Hi! My friend Alan introduced me to this site...

My parents bought me a 2010 Mazda 3 GS sport in Graphite Mica! It's beautiful! I thought I would be bothered by the smile, but it makes me smile when I look at it.

However...I decided that I wanted a standard transmission...but now I'm thinking it may have been a bad idea, as I am terribly inexperienced. I only learned how to get moving in a manual 2 years ago on a civic.

I decided to try uphill starts yesterday ...when my parents brought over the car (there are quite a few hills here so I figured i better learn fast). Boy was that a bad idea...after 15 min of practicing...my car smelled like it was burning...which I was told probably because I was riding the clutch for too long.

Can anyone reassure me that I didn't do any severe damage to my car? :(

Now I'm scared to drive it :S...at least not until I get someone to give me proper lessons.

Anyways, other than that I LOVE THE CAR! I even named it haha.

[JP3]

:welcome smiley

I wish my parents bought me my 2010 GS! Hehe...I was in the exact same boat when I purchased my MT 2010 GS Sport almost 2 months ago. I knew how to drive MT in theory but not really in practice. So for someone new, that burning clutch smell will be fairly standard, I wouldn't really worry about it.

Try to find a parking lot that has a little bit of an incline so you can practice your up-hill/down-hill start ups. Just keep practicing your driving everyday and you'll get the hang of it no problem. You'll be like a pro before you even know it!

Btw, what did you name your car? :)

[goldmember]

Welcome and congrats on the new wheels. Don't worry bout the MT. As long as you don't make a habit of over-revving and riding the clutch, a little shouldn't hurt while you learn. Give it a couple weeks and you'll get the hang of it. Once you do, you won't regret it. It does make the driving experience more fun. It also makes it a lot easier to handle in the snow!

[Juny]

:welcome smiley

I wish my parents bought me my 2010 GS! Hehe...I was in the exact same boat when I purchased my MT 2010 GS Sport almost 2 months ago. I knew how to drive MT in theory but not really in practice. So for someone new, that burning clutch smell will be fairly standard, I wouldn't really worry about it.

Try to find a parking lot that has a little bit of an incline so you can practice your up-hill/down-hill start ups. Just keep practicing your driving everyday and you'll get the hang of it no problem. You'll be like a pro before you even know it!

Btw, what did you name your car? :)


Thanks for the support! I named the car Elma...don't ask my why lol I just thought it was pretty funny. I know it sounds a weird, but it was the first thing that popped in my head.

[2010White]

here is how i did it when driving MT, pull your handbreak, put your car in gear and start releasing cluch giving the car a little bit of acceleration, when you feel that car is pulling forward release the handbrake slowly ( dont drop it) , keep releasing cluch and accelerate. Especially works good in winter when roads are slippery and you have to make a stop in traffic uphill.
Worked for me.

[momoGenki]

here is how i did it when driving MT, pull your handbreak, put your car in gear and start releasing cluch giving the car a little bit of acceleration, when you feel that car is pulling forward release the handbrake slowly ( dont drop it) , keep releasing cluch and accelerate. Especially works good in winter when roads are slippery and you have to make a stop in traffic uphill.
Worked for me.

Just to add to that, the greater the incline, the more acceleration you'll need, otherwise as you start releasing the clutch, the car will have a tendency to roll back. No worries, everyone learns at their own pace, just be gentle and you'll the get the hang of it soon enough

[Go_Habs_Go]

Congrats and welcome to the club!

[NewNugget]

Also a MT novice myself. I learned it with my in-law's Accord (now drive a mx-5).

Another technique I learned for uphill is heel and toe. Left foot on clutch, right toe on brakes, and use your heel to give it some gas, while slowly releasing the clutch. I adapted this better than the handbrake technique.

[Juny]

Congrats and welcome to the club!

Thanks!!!

[Juny]

Also a MT novice myself. I learned it with my in-law's Accord (now drive a mx-5).

Another technique I learned for uphill is heel and toe. Left foot on clutch, right toe on brakes, and use your heel to give it some gas, while slowly releasing the clutch. I adapted this better than the handbrake technique.

Thanks, I shall try that sometime!

I actually did an uphill start today without an E-brake. Same hill that I had so much trouble on over the past few days. I had my right foot on the brake, as I let out the clutch before the friction point and then i quickly moved my right foot on the gas. It seemed to have worked... I'm not sure if its a good method though.

[She_Prime]

Welcome to TM3! And welcome to the TM3 Ladies Group as well!

I've met Alan before and he's a great guy! You from Hamilton as well?

[Juny]

Welcome to TM3! And welcome to the TM3 Ladies Group as well!

I've met Alan before and he's a great guy! You from Hamilton as well?

Thanks for the warm welcome :)

I'm currently in London right now, but I'm from Mississauga. I use to go to Mac and that is how I know Alan. Are you in the Hamilton area?

[Flagrum_3]

Thanks, I shall try that sometime!

I actually did an uphill start today without an E-brake. Same hill that I had so much trouble on over the past few days. I had my right foot on the brake, as I let out the clutch before the friction point and then i quickly moved my right foot on the gas. It seemed to have worked... I'm not sure if its a good method though.

Welcome to TM3! ...nice car!

^That's the only and proper method!, ...Just takes time to master it....It's all in the timing :) ...as you feel the clutch starting to engage move your foot to the gas pedal, once the clutch is engaging you shouldn't role back then release the clutch slowly/fully and give gas in unison.


_3

[She_Prime]

Thanks for the warm welcome :)

I'm currently in London right now, but I'm from Mississauga. I use to go to Mac and that is how I know Alan. Are you in the Hamilton area?

Yes I do, I met him through here realizing he was another Hamilton member.

Anyways, saw you PMed me about the Ladies decal. Message me back soon! I have one or two extra :)

[stevenma188]

Thanks, I shall try that sometime!

I actually did an uphill start today without an E-brake. Same hill that I had so much trouble on over the past few days. I had my right foot on the brake, as I let out the clutch before the friction point and then i quickly moved my right foot on the gas. It seemed to have worked... I'm not sure if its a good method though.


Welcome to TM3! ...nice car!

^That's the only and proper method!, ...Just takes time to master it....It's all in the timing :) ...as you feel the clutch starting to engage move your foot to the gas pedal, once the clutch is engaging you shouldn't role back then release the clutch slowly/fully and give gas in unison.


_3

Hehe. I taught her that. I guess I'll belated welcome you to the forum...?

[Juny]

Hehe. I taught her that. I guess I'll belated welcome you to the forum...?

What??? lol I learned that myself before we met up! :P

[dreadlock]

Welcome to TM3!

Personally I found learning to drive MT on flat ground was MUCH easier than diving right into inclines and such. Once you get the feel for your clutch/gas you'll know how much to give'r for inclines...some other great methods posted here tho! Good luck!