OK, I’ll take a stab at this - and vent on some of my pet peeves!
* Learn proper clutching technique - see perfect clutching from Misha below.
https://youtu.be/qdFsadNm7pU?si=IbIN3Be6H4Vg6mzF
* Don’t leave your foot on the clutch if you are not actively shifting - “riding the clutch”.
* Downshifting is OK, with rev matching, but note your brakes are purpose built to slow/stop your car, not your tranny.
* Don’t downshift into 1st gear - save your synchros, it's very hard to rev match. Use 2nd as your lowest gear while still moving. Just use your brakes.
* Go relatively slow and easy on the 1 to 2 upshift - it’s the hardest on synchros.
* Try not to “slip the clutch” too much on 1st gear takeoff from a stop and never slip on any other gear change. Note: Camaros have such a tall first gear (fuel economy play?) so it’s not easy - I still occasionally stall my ZL1. Chevy gave us the Hill Hold feature: after coming to a stop on an uphill incline, “pump” the brake pedal briefly, and it will hold the car from rolling back for a few seconds when you go to take off again.
* Change tranny and differential fluid at some reasonable interval. I changed at about 1K or 2K miles and plan to again maybe at 75K miles. (Too lazy to look up in GM manual right now. Some cars might say “lifetime fill” - that’s a little suspicious, and if they put drain/fill plugs in, why not use them.)
I hope this is helpful and I’m glad you are helping keep the manual transmission alive!
