Should I teach stick-shift with my new yaris? - Page 3 - Toyota Yaris Forums

Rain · 05-28-2009, 02:55 PM

Aside from the risk on your NEW car, you are also risking straining your relationship.
First of all, did she tell you she wants to learn or did you just decide that you want to teach her? I think that right there makes the difference.
If she wants to learn, let her take the initiative.
Personally, I am enrolling in a driving school instead of asking my boyfriend to teach me.

RedStickHam · 05-29-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flex12

I recently got a new yaris hatchback manual and i love it. My girlfriend doesn't know how to drive stick shift and i was thinking about teaching her with my car, but I'm concerned. Will the inexperience/revving/stalling cause my car trouble? I just passed the break-in period but i kinda want to drive like the break-in period forever to keep my car in prime shape. Let me know if there are wear-and-tear issues or if I'm just being a protective wus.

If she really wants to learn, why not? I just got my Yaris 3 months ago, after having driven automatic for 13 years, and once I started doing it, I remembered quickly. I think the salesman got a little nervous during the test drive though.

The first time I tried to drive standard was in my sister-in-law's 1971 VW Beetle, manual everything, plus it pulled because of frame damage from an accident. I only stalled it twice! A couple of years later, I got a used 1988 Ford Escort GT and once I got the loose accelerator down, I did fine with that too.

If she really wants to learn, why not give it a shot? The best thing to do at first is to try driving in neighborhoods with little traffic, that makes it a little less stressful. Good luck!

RedStickHam

aeipee13 · 05-29-2009, 05:39 PM

I think you should do it. Older cars have all types of wacky things that can interfere with her learning properly. I've taught a handful of people using this method, including my then girlfriend (now baby momma and wife) how to drive stick when I ruptured my ACL playing soccer. She had to learn in about 5 minutes to get me to the hospital, and it worked. This was in a 2001 impreza with steel braided everything, all types of bushings and motor mounts, beefier clutch, and Cusco Zero2R cold overs. Not your typical learning car but I had no choice.

I think a good start is to teach her about the clutch and how in engages. Have her press the clutch down and put the car in first while holding down the clutch (obviously). Then have her slowly left her foot and tell her to "feel" for the clutch without pressing the gas. The car will slowly move forward at which time she can lift her foot off the clutch and coast. Once car slows have her press the clutch and stop (as you know). Just do that over and over until she can do it smoothly. Starting is the hardest part and it you teach her how to manage the clutch properly the rest will follow easily.

I think this will be a good relationship test. if she can't take your orders, she doesn't deserve you.

Rain · 05-29-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

I think this will be a good relationship test. if she can't take your orders, she doesn't deserve you.

I agree but only if you are referring to a slave-master relationship in your statement.

twowheels · 05-29-2009, 06:15 PM

Loren has said it twice, but I think it bears repeating...

Start out in an empty parking lot and practice starting from a standstill w/o using the gas pedal over and over. Once she gets the hang of that, the rest will be easy. I've used that method before and have taught two people to drive manual transmissions w/o destroying my cars. I learned the same way on a farm forklift when I was a kid, just 8 years old. Yes, the Yaris is the most difficult one that I've ever driven as it has the vaguest feel, but they'll learn.

Before you teach it... are you sure YOU know how to drive a manual correctly? Many people don't and have bad habits. Do you rest your hand on the stick while you're driving? Do you take a fistfull of the stick and jam it into gear, or do you guide it in? (I tell beginners to shift with their fingertips so that they can feel how much force they're putting on the syncros rather than with their palm) Do you time your shifts such that the engine speed is matched (goes along with guiding it into gear)? Do you hover over the clutch when you're not shifting? (I once drove alongside a girl in doorless jeep and watched her foot riding on the pedal the entire way as she bounced over every bump pressing it 1/4 to 1/2 of the way)

CompanyXPaladin · 05-29-2009, 07:02 PM

I've taught 5 of my friends how to drive stick in my Yaris, which seemed to be no worse for the wear.. they all got the hang of it in about two days - or less.

OTOH, my girlfriend just can't seem to get it. She can't seem to do anything without lurching, grinding, stalling, or squealing tires. We've just about given up on getting her driving my car. She can't get it in her sister's 5-speed truck, either.

Anyway, if the person you're trying to teach is like my girlfriend, where its just the car screaming in pain every time she sits in the driver's seat, hour after hour and day after day, I'd definitely move to something on it's way to the junk yard.

My dad taught me to drive stick - his method was this: I'd already bought the car - a '80 320i, which he drove home for me. He drove me (in the 320) to an empty parking lot about 2 miles away from the house, helped me tool around the parking lot for a little while, and then bet me $50 he could beat me home - walking. Unfortunately, our house was at the top of a steep hill, so he beat me home.

aeipee13 · 05-29-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain

I agree but only if you are referring to a slave-master relationship in your statement.

what type of slave?

CtrlAltDefeat · 05-29-2009, 10:44 PM

I learned shift points from driving video games, and my friend told me the secret of "as the gas gets pushed in, the clutch gets let up." He then let me drive his 300Z solo to the gas station. Did pretty well but took off like a drag race at every stop light. I squealed the tires pretty pretty good when starting on a slight incline out of the gas station parking lot. Someone pulled right up to my bumper, and I kinda freaked out about it. All in all not too bad. When I got my own manual, I pretty much squealed the tires every where I went until I got used to it (though I did stall it a few times too)

Zaphod · 06-02-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twowheels

Before you teach it... are you sure YOU know how to drive a manual correctly? Many people don't and have bad habits. Do you rest your hand on the stick while you're driving? Do you take a fistfull of the stick and jam it into gear, or do you guide it in? (I tell beginners to shift with their fingertips so that they can feel how much force they're putting on the syncros rather than with their palm) Do you time your shifts such that the engine speed is matched (goes along with guiding it into gear)? Do you hover over the clutch when you're not shifting? (I once drove alongside a girl in doorless jeep and watched her foot riding on the pedal the entire way as she bounced over every bump pressing it 1/4 to 1/2 of the way)

Those are all excellent points. I was taught by an officer and so learned those things correctly, but it amazes me the number of people who've acquired some/all of those bad habits.

If you've got a place, practice starting on a hill with and without the cable brake to get a feel. In teaching various people, I've found that really stresses some people out in traffic, to the point that they're prone to make a mistake they otherwise wouldn't have.

I'm also an advocate of teaching compression braking early, with an emphasis on not wearing out the clutch while engaging on the downshift. This teaches them to more efficiently engage/disengage the clutch, and emphasizes looking ahead and acting more proactively, which of course has safety implications regardless of the transmission being used.

*tomato* · 06-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDefeat

I think the yaris is not a very good car to learn on. ... seems like a more forgiving, lower revving car would be more appropriate.

I agree with that. I don't think the Yaris clutch is all that user friendly, so I don't let anyone drive it. I never had second thoughts about letting anyone drive my old Honda 5 sp. because it was easier to shift gears so I didn't worry about anyone having a hard time with it. The Yaris takes a little getting used to. My 2 c, though.

prelude · 06-18-2009, 03:16 AM

check out preludepower.com and it actually gives you step by step on learning how to drive stick without making any damage besides burning the clutch if not then just make sure she gets used to using the clutch before she actually does any real driving. tell her its easier to explain than right it out on words but check out the forum website and it should help.

05-29-2009, 10:44 PM	#44
CtrlAltDefeat I ♥ Yaris View User's Garage Drives: Black 08 LB MT & red 97 Miata Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 1,313	I learned shift points from driving video games, and my friend told me the secret of "as the gas gets pushed in, the clutch gets let up." He then let me drive his 300Z solo to the gas station. Did pretty well but took off like a drag race at every stop light. I squealed the tires pretty pretty good when starting on a slight incline out of the gas station parking lot. Someone pulled right up to my bumper, and I kinda freaked out about it. All in all not too bad. When I got my own manual, I pretty much squealed the tires every where I went until I got used to it (though I did stall it a few times too) __________________ The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. - Bertrand Russell

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05-28-2009, 02:55 PM	#37
Rain help! my Yaris shrunk! Drives: 12 Hot Lava iQ/07 Jade Vios Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,748	Aside from the risk on your NEW car, you are also risking straining your relationship. First of all, did she tell you she wants to learn or did you just decide that you want to teach her? I think that right there makes the difference. If she wants to learn, let her take the initiative. Personally, I am enrolling in a driving school instead of asking my boyfriend to teach me.

05-29-2009, 05:39 PM	#39
aeipee13 DKDC Drives: Yarlet Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: los angeles Posts: 200	I think you should do it. Older cars have all types of wacky things that can interfere with her learning properly. I've taught a handful of people using this method, including my then girlfriend (now baby momma and wife) how to drive stick when I ruptured my ACL playing soccer. She had to learn in about 5 minutes to get me to the hospital, and it worked. This was in a 2001 impreza with steel braided everything, all types of bushings and motor mounts, beefier clutch, and Cusco Zero2R cold overs. Not your typical learning car but I had no choice. I think a good start is to teach her about the clutch and how in engages. Have her press the clutch down and put the car in first while holding down the clutch (obviously). Then have her slowly left her foot and tell her to "feel" for the clutch without pressing the gas. The car will slowly move forward at which time she can lift her foot off the clutch and coast. Once car slows have her press the clutch and stop (as you know). Just do that over and over until she can do it smoothly. Starting is the hardest part and it you teach her how to manage the clutch properly the rest will follow easily. I think this will be a good relationship test. if she can't take your orders, she doesn't deserve you.

05-29-2009, 06:15 PM	#41
twowheels Drives: '09 Meteorite Metallic 3 dr MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 127	Loren has said it twice, but I think it bears repeating... Start out in an empty parking lot and practice starting from a standstill w/o using the gas pedal over and over. Once she gets the hang of that, the rest will be easy. I've used that method before and have taught two people to drive manual transmissions w/o destroying my cars. I learned the same way on a farm forklift when I was a kid, just 8 years old. Yes, the Yaris is the most difficult one that I've ever driven as it has the vaguest feel, but they'll learn. Before you teach it... are you sure YOU know how to drive a manual correctly? Many people don't and have bad habits. Do you rest your hand on the stick while you're driving? Do you take a fistfull of the stick and jam it into gear, or do you guide it in? (I tell beginners to shift with their fingertips so that they can feel how much force they're putting on the syncros rather than with their palm) Do you time your shifts such that the engine speed is matched (goes along with guiding it into gear)? Do you hover over the clutch when you're not shifting? (I once drove alongside a girl in doorless jeep and watched her foot riding on the pedal the entire way as she bounced over every bump pressing it 1/4 to 1/2 of the way)

05-29-2009, 07:02 PM	#42
CompanyXPaladin Drives: 08 Yaris 5-speed Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 212	I've taught 5 of my friends how to drive stick in my Yaris, which seemed to be no worse for the wear.. they all got the hang of it in about two days - or less. OTOH, my girlfriend just can't seem to get it. She can't seem to do anything without lurching, grinding, stalling, or squealing tires. We've just about given up on getting her driving my car. She can't get it in her sister's 5-speed truck, either. Anyway, if the person you're trying to teach is like my girlfriend, where its just the car screaming in pain every time she sits in the driver's seat, hour after hour and day after day, I'd definitely move to something on it's way to the junk yard. My dad taught me to drive stick - his method was this: I'd already bought the car - a '80 320i, which he drove home for me. He drove me (in the 320) to an empty parking lot about 2 miles away from the house, helped me tool around the parking lot for a little while, and then bet me $50 he could beat me home - walking. Unfortunately, our house was at the top of a steep hill, so he beat me home.

06-18-2009, 03:16 AM	#47
prelude Drives: blue yaris Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: escotown Posts: 9	check out preludepower.com and it actually gives you step by step on learning how to drive stick without making any damage besides burning the clutch if not then just make sure she gets used to using the clutch before she actually does any real driving. tell her its easier to explain than right it out on words but check out the forum website and it should help.