Hello from Ottawa!

[noodles]

Hey all,

My name is Ruby, I'm from Markham but I'm in Ottawa right now for school.

So it's been 3 days since I've gotten my new baby, CWP 2010 Mazda 3 Sport GX. Asides from the fact that I'm a newbie with stick shift, everything is great! I love the colour. I've always wanted my first car to be white and pearl white is a bonus.

Just out of curiousity though, how long did it take most of you (the ones that do) to get the hang of stick shift? Do you guys still stall? I get really nervous when there's a car behind me and they are really close. How did you guys deal with that?

And does anyone know any good places to practice in Ottawa? I've been avoiding driving during the day because I'm scared of stalling in public... haha

Suggestions and Tips are much appreciated!

[n00bMeiSter]

Welcome! Excellent choice on colour and transmission!

For me, when I was first learning long ago I would ride the clutch (until it engaged, or the car was moving enough to not stall) when there was a car behind me that was really close, or if I was on a hill. I don't really recommend doing that though (especially not on a brand new car). Practice in parking lots until you get the hang of it. Stalling happens, don't be embarrassed—you're still learning. If you practice a little every day you'll get the hang of it soon enough. If you know anyone who knows how to drive stick, ask them for pointers, or if they'd be willing to give you a lesson or two.

[poke65]

Welcome aboard

[chan7]

congrats on the new purchase! :welcome smiley

[noodles]

Thanks everyone. Okay, so I have to ask - all my friends have been shocked that I am learning stick on my new car. The most common statement is "You're going to kill your car." That doesn't make me feel great about stalling it AT ALL. Actually, it's very discouraging. I mean... Is it really all that bad? I'm getting the hang of it.. and last night I went to practice in a parking a lot and stalled a few times but for the most part i'm getting a better feel for the car.

Besides, people have to learn on a car either way - new or not. Right....

[Wix]

I have the same car! but mine is auto. I dont know stick so i have no advice for you. Maybe you should put a sign on ur rear window "Learning Manual" or something and others will be more forgiving when you stall, i would

[Jackal]

Welcome to TM3!
Try practicing on a small hill or incline to get used to it when there are cars behind you. Some people recommend using the handbrake if it's really steep. I used to drive manual but now have auto. Won't take you long. Try a local school after dark or just around the block to practice.

[noodles]

Yeah, I've been practicing at a local Canadian Tire parking lot. It's slightly hilly so sometimes I can feel the car roll back. Afterwards, I went for a ride around the area on the main roads...but this happened : I had the car in neutral cause I was approaching a red light.. but it was really far away.. so when I got close I shifted into second and put a little gas in.. but the RPM went really high.. was that because I was at too low of a gear?

And.. in response to Wix - I thought about putting a sign up.. but that would totally fulfill of the asian female who cannot drive.. HAHAHA :( I don't wanna do that. Frig... I love cars and I've always wanted to drive manual.. and now that I have the car, I just wish I had learned earlier on an older car. My heart brakes (no pun intended) everytime I stall.

[STeeLy]

Welcome to TM3!

Stalls are a part of learning how to drive manual, don't be too embarrassed by it, I've driven my manual for a month or so now, I'm still stalling the odd time here and there.

And go and check out OMC (Ottawa Mazda Club).

[Willow]

Welcome,
Congrats on your new car. Go down to Tunney's Pasture. Holland and Scott St. It's all gov buildings with stop signs and it is usually empty on weekends it also has tons of parking spots.

[gabbygenier]

stalling isnt that bad for a car, specially if youre going slow. the worst would be ridding your clutch too much. its something youll pick up and get used to it.

as for where to drive, the parking lots of most of the malls in ottawa are pretty deserted at night, some have security guards driving around but im sure if you tell them what youre doing they wont care too much, as long as you dont crash in any posts or damage the property:P

as for practicing on hills, i think thats the worst idea for someone learning, most new ppl will ride the clutch on a hill cause they get scared and dont want to stall. just get used to the clutch on flat grounds and then start going on hills.

[condor888000]

Stalls are a part of learning how to drive manual, don't be too embarrassed by it, I've driven my manual for a month or so now, I'm still stalling the odd time here and there.

You're still stalling the Rex? FOR SHAME! :chuckle

Like Matt said stalling isn't a bit deal. Basically everytime I hop in a new car I stall it right off the bat, and I've been driving manual for 5 years now. But ya, I've stalled an M3, Schmoo's MSM, 325i, C4 Vette, NB Miata, NA Miata, RSX's, 3's...basically everything I've ever driven with 3 pedals. Just the way it goes, nothing to really get embarrassed about.

The big concern when driving stick isn't riding the clutch IMO. That'll cause premature wear, but won't actually break anything. What you want to be wary of is grinding the gears, basically either trying to shift before the clutch is fully depressed, or stepping off the clutch too fast. When you do it...you'll know. Will be a harsh grinding sound, and you'll feel it through the shifter.

If you really have a hard time getting the hang of it, there's always people around willing to help people out. The OMC crowd is a good one.

[condor888000]

I had the car in neutral cause I was approaching a red light.. but it was really far away.. so when I got close I shifted into second and put a little gas in.. but the RPM went really high.. was that because I was at too low of a gear?

Most likely. However, unless you over revved the car big time (7500+) it won't do any lasting harm, provided the car was properly warmed up.

[STeeLy]

You're still stalling the Rex? FOR SHAME! :chuckle

You bet your ass I am. It's usually when I reversing.

[noodles]

Thanks for all the input! I think I sometimes hear the gears grinding when I'm starting.. but that's about it.

[condor888000]

Hum, really shouldn't hear anything when starting out. Must be something else, especially if it's a brand new car.

[Jackal]

Thanks for all the input! I think I sometimes hear the gears grinding when I'm starting.. but that's about it.

Make sure you are pressing the clutch all the way down changing gears. You may want to push your seat more forward.

[noodles]

Make sure you are pressing the clutch all the way down changing gears. You may want to push your seat more forward.

Yeah, I think that was it. Haha my seat is soooo far up already (I'm 5') ... BLAHhhHhhh...

[kckev99]

As most people have said a good place to practice is an empty lot at night.

1. Make sure you have proper seating position. Ensure you can depress clutch all the way.
2. With the car off. Gently grasp the shifter and practice going through the gears Upshifting and Downshifting. I notice some struggle to shift because they are man handling the shifter when you need to be gentle with it.

- from Neutral, slide shifter to the Left and gently push up
- From 1st, slide shifter down (don't push left) to 2nd (do it in one swift motion of sliding down)
- From 2nd, slide shifter forward to 3rd (when you gently push the shifter forward it will naturally center go to 3rd)
- From 3rd, slide shifter down to 4th
- From 4th, gently push up to center (neutral) and slide shifter to the right and forward to 5th
- From 5th, slide down (shifter will naturally center itself, 5 Spd tranny is a bit stiff coming out of 5th so may require a bit of force) and continue sliding the shifter down in to 4th
- From 4th, gently slide the shifter UP to 3rd.
- From 3rd, gently slide shifter down to center, move to the left and slide down again to 2nd.
- From 2nd, gently in one swift motion slide up to 1st

3. Practice releasing the clutch from 1st gear on a flat surface. You do no need to use the accelerator to get the car moving. You should practice moving the car with only the clutch alone in 1st gear. Once you get used to the friction point you should have no issues driving a standard.


I would suggest doing a transmission oil flush in the next few months after you've become more proficient with driving a standard. Some of the gear grinding may put metal shavings into the transmission fluid which will cause additional wear on transmission. It's just a pre-caution.

Although you may be tempted do not attempt any "burn-outs" you should be slowly breaking in to your new clutch since it is a brand new car.

The Mazda3 is a very forgiving car to learn on since the clutch is very light and easy to engage. German cars like BMW and VW seem to have very heavy clutches. Exception of the newer VW which are just as light as Mazda but only just a few years ago in early to mid-2K models still had very heavy clutches.

[TokyoKiller]

Welcome to TM3!

I just moved to Ottawa too from Mississauga...its pretty nice here.

Sent you a PM!

[kckev99]

As most people have said a good place to practice is an empty lot at night.


3. Practice releasing the clutch from 1st gear on a flat surface. You do no need to use the accelerator to get the car moving. You should practice moving the car with only the clutch alone in 1st gear. Once you get used to the friction point you should have no issues driving a standard.


Remember you are trying to move the car from a dead stop. Continue practicing it this way you will get the hang of it very quickly.

Also when you actually start driving... remember not to "man handle" the shifter. Be gentle and smooth.

[condor888000]

Welcome to TM3!

I just moved to Ottawa too from Mississauga...its pretty nice here.

Sent you a PM!

Really? Join OMC, we're mostly good peoples.

[mazdabetty]

as for where to drive, the parking lots of most of the malls in ottawa are pretty deserted at night, some have security guards driving around but im sure if you tell them what youre doing they wont care too much, as long as you dont crash in any posts or damage the property:P

:chuckle

"Guys, you can't be doing that here."

[TokyoKiller]

Really? Join OMC, we're mostly good peoples.

I would, but I don't have the 3 with me in Ottawa. Its a family car, and seeing that the transit takes your ass anywhere here and Carleton supplied everyone with a U-Pass this year, it wasn't necessary to have a car.

[condor888000]

Ah, still good people...mostly. :chuckle

****ing UPass. :flaming

[STeeLy]

Ah, still good people...mostly. :chuckle

****ing UPass. :flaming

I wish they were more like other universities where they give you an option to decline the U-pass

[condor888000]

Exactly. I opt out of insurance, why the **** can't I opt out of the UPass? The answer, OC Transpo and City council is ****ED.

[DualSoul]

:welcome smiley
Learned manual on my new Mazda 3 as well. You'll do fine. :)

[Fuyuzora]

*high five for being in Ottawa* :)

Like you, I recently picked up a 2010 Mazda3, without having had any previous experience on a manual transmission... That was the first week of October or so. I'm mostly pretty competent now (although hills are still a bit of a headache) - so that should give you an idea of the timeframe... Give it a month or so (with regular driving excursions) and you should be doing fine.

While it's probably too late for you now, a great place in the Ottawa area to practice manual is the Asticou Centre in Gatineau (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Asticou+Centre,+241+Boulevard+De+la+Cit%C3%A9-des-Jeunes,+QC&sll=45.467354,-75.703354&sspn=0.273041,0.571289&ie=UTF8&hq=Asticou+Centre,&hnear=241+Boulevard+de+la+Cit%C3%A9+des+Jeunes,+Hu ll,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-l'Outaouais,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Canada&ll=45.450407,-75.757384&spn=0.008911,0.017853&z=16). It's an old government complex in the middle of nowhere. On the weekends nobody is around, and it has a nice big ring-road you can drive laps around, plus a few stops signs along the way to force you to practice stopping and starting.