{"id":37130,"date":"2018-11-06T06:00:39","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T21:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37130"},"modified":"2019-07-17T09:07:59","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T00:07:59","slug":"how-to-improve-mt-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/how-to-improve-mt-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Driving a Manual Car \u2013 Shift Changes at Start and Hill Starts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Practicing with the Boxster (Manual Transmission)<\/h3>\n

In this blog, I declared that I would \u201clearn to drive the Boxster with a manual transmission\u201d<\/strong> and occasionally write about my practice sessions. But the truth is, unless I drive the Boxster more often, I won\u2019t get better at driving a manual\u2026 That said, driving alone when my husband isn\u2019t around is a bit scary if anything unexpected happens, and since the Boxster is a two-seater, it\u2019s physically impossible to practice with our two kids in the car.<\/p>\n

So lately, I\u2019ve been doing mental training by watching videos. The other day, I asked my husband, \u201cDo you know any good videos?\u201d<\/strong> and he recommended one called \u201cManual Driving Techniques! Shift Changes at Start\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s part of a series where three people\u2014a tough and beautiful MC Kaori Kurita, former Toyota test driver Yoshio Takimoto, and current pro driver Naoya Gamo\u2014explain manual driving tips in an easy-to-understand and cool way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Important When Driving a Manual?<\/h3>\n

For those who can drive manuals without any issues, this might seem like \u201cOf course, that\u2019s obvious!\u201d<\/strong> But as a personal memo, I want to jot down the key points in this blog.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, the most important thing when driving a manual is:<\/p>\n

to listen to the car\u2019s voice (sound) while driving.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to drive well, don\u2019t just rely on the gauges\u2014the golden rule is to operate the car while listening carefully to its \u201cengine sound\u201d and \u201cvibrations.\u201d<\/strong> Yoshio Takimoto, the former Toyota test driver, said, \u201cThe car is actually talking to you.\u201d<\/strong> (laughs)<\/p>\n

Makes perfect sense\u2026!<\/p>\n

Tips for Starting and Shifting Up<\/h3>\n

Next, regarding starting in a manual car:<\/p>\n

Shift up from 1st to 2nd gear as quickly as possible without lugging the engine; this reduces shocks and allows smooth acceleration.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

My husband often tells me, \u201cThe car looks like it\u2019s struggling; you need to shift to 2nd gear faster!\u201d<\/strong> But at driving school, I was never taught to shift to 2nd that quickly\u2014in fact, I spent quite a long time in 1st gear. (Maybe the driving school method is a bit unusual.)<\/span> The key is not to memorize textbook methods but to listen to the car\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

Now, about shifting up in a manual car. At the start of the video, MC Kaori Kurita said, \u201cShifting up in a manual is tricky because it tends to jerk. I thought that was just how manuals are.\u201d<\/strong> (I thought so too.)<\/span> But pro driver Gamo said firmly, \u201cThat\u2019s not true! Once you get the hang of it, you can shift smoothly!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The secret is:<\/p>\n

to focus more on how you release the accelerator than on clutch operation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, people tend to focus on \u201cclutch operation\u201d or \u201cpressing the accelerator,\u201d but \u201cwhen releasing the accelerator, do it slowly and gently\u201d to avoid jerks and shift smoothly.<\/strong> By the way, when skilled manual drivers are behind the wheel, \u201cthe passenger\u2019s head never leaves the headrest.\u201d<\/strong> That means there\u2019s no shift shock at all.<\/p>\n

They said, \u201cYou can tell how good someone is at driving a manual by how comfortable the passenger is.\u201d That really hit home.<\/p>\n

By the way, when my husband rides shotgun while I\u2019m driving, his head bounces around a lot\u2014definitely not comfortable at all (lol).<\/p>\n

Tips for Hill Starts<\/h3>\n

Regarding hill starts, both Takimoto and Gamo were very excited, saying \u201cNailing hill starts is the true joy of driving a manual!\u201d<\/strong> The key points are:<\/p>\n

\u30fbAlways use 1st gear (never start in 2nd)
\n\u30fbConsciously use the clutch\u2019s biting point and operate slowly
\n\u30fbAvoid sudden accelerator inputs<\/p>\n

They said, \u201cIf you prepare by keeping the brake pressed while holding the clutch at the biting point, you can start calmly without rolling back.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alright, mental training is done! Now it\u2019s all about practice. I\u2019d love to hear readers\u2019 tips and tricks for driving manuals too. By the way, here\u2019s the video I mentioned:<\/p>\n