[oldguy0130]

When you're at the track ask one of your racing buddies to ride (off the track) with you and give you pointers. Maybe they can help. Usually those guys are insanely skilled.

[kurmaro]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

As others have said, it takes some practice.

Every manual car has a different bite point on the clutch. Find that first. From a stop, you can practice slowly letting out the clutch while easing on to the throttle. Once you start moving, smoothly let the clutch all the way out while increasing the pressure on the throttle pedal.

Once you're moving, you don't want to ride the clutch while upshifting -- it's a different motion than from a stop. Clutch in > Shift to next gear > let the clutch out smoothly, but quickly. If you ride the clutch while upshifting, you're going to burn it.

When downshifting, it's similar to upshifting, but you can let the clutch out a bit more quickly. You're using the engine to slow you down. Since you're using auto rev match, you don't need to blip the throttle or worry about matching RPMs. Although once you get better at driving your manual car, I'd recommend turning the auto rev match off and learning how to do it blipping the throttle with your right foot before you let the clutch out with your left foot.

When "racing", if you smell your clutch, you're not releasing it quickly enough -- you're riding it. WOT runs aren't about smoothness, you want to bang gears and release the clutch fast for quick shifts and quick clutch engagement.

Thinking about your questions, one thing you may need to focus on is work on the timing of your right hand and and left foot. With repetition, it becomes second nature -- I don't even think about it. But it sounds like you may be trying to shift gears before the clutch is depressed past the bite point or something else in your clucth / gear change timing is off.

Thank you and everyone else for the advice!

When you mentioned letting out the clutch smoothly but quickly when upshifting, am I supposed to give any gas at all during that procedure or wait till the clutch is all the way out first?

Also, you mentioned letting out the clutch quickly when downshifting but I find that whenever I do that the car jerks a little because I'm guessing it grabs too hard. This is with ARM on, so how can I make it smooth or is that normal?

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by kurmaro

Thank you and everyone else for the advice!

When you mentioned letting out the clutch smoothly but quickly when upshifting, am I supposed to give any gas at all during that procedure or wait till the clutch is all the way out first?

Also, you mentioned letting out the clutch quickly when downshifting but I find that whenever I do that the car jerks a little because I'm guessing it grabs too hard. This is with ARM on, so how can I make it smooth or is that normal?

Wait until the clutch is fully released before getting on the throttle when upshifting or downshifting. It's not like from a stop where you need to slip the clutch a bit and finesse with the throttle.

With your downshifts, just keep practicing. If it's jerky, let the clutch out a bit more slowly. You're shooting for smooth as possible for normal daily driving. And don't downshift at too high of an RPM while you're learning.

[Lupine 1LE]

I was just having this discussion. I have a C5 Corvette and a Jeep Wrangler and my 2022 1LE needs a little more focus of the line.

[Alan47717]

The easiest manuals to drive are little four cylinders with no power. I had a 1981 Chevette that was incredibly easy to drive with it's rousing 74 hp, however, it did have a lovely shifter and clutch.

Launching my 2.0t is quite different. Between the turbo spooling up, the knock sensor doing it's thing and the shape of the torque curve it is a delicate balancing act to both drive away smoothly and shift to second smoothly. 1,000 miles in and making good progress.

Interesting thing is I have the same engine in my 2019 Equinox with a 9 spd auto and the same drive away characteristics are there, even with the auto trans, just not so noticeable.

[mariojas]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Think it's "dual mass flywheel".



Indeed it's a fine motor skill that takes some time to hone to near perfection, you just need to practice some more, slightly adjusting your pedal timing and speed until you're satisfied with your shifts.

Skill acquisition also gets slower with age, I recall the 16-17 year olds in driving school who learned clutch operation in a day or two, while it took me weeks.

Makes sense - flywheel made from two plates coupled with springs to smooth out engagement or something. Or just cost more.

[armycop71]

I learned to drive a stick in high school in the late 80's on a beat up Toyota Celica. I've driven everything manual from a UPS truck to an Army deuce-and-a-half, various Jeep Wranglers, and a massive 98 HP 2020 Chevy Spark. This 6-speed with the V-8 is very difficult to manage, the tires will go up in smoke or you'll stall if you screw up. I've gotten better since I've put on over 1,000 miles and the clutch is breaking in nicely. Just patience and practice. I do find it annoying that you have to press the brake and clutch to restart the car, I wish it was clutch only. Plus the skip shift sucks when you're not paying attention.

[RamAir02]

So funny that some of y'all consider the Camaro manuals somewhat difficult to adjust to. I was quite comfortable with it from the get-go, but I've only ever owned GM Tremec 6-speed cars my whole life (2 trans ams, cts-v, '10 ss, '19 ZLE). I guess any specific quirks with GM 6-speed cars are just normal traits of a manual trans to me. I would probably struggle with a Civic or Jetta stick shift

[lt4camaro]

I know the hard truth hurts, but it takes years and many miles to get real good with a manual. It also requires one to have the right knack.. if ya got it your skills will improve fast. Be patient and its something only you can teach yourself.

[Casper the friendly G]

Originally Posted by kurmaro

I've had my '22 SS for 6 months now. I haven't stalled in a few months, so I got that down, but when I'm up-shifting they're just not smooth. I keep rev-match on all the time. Am I getting off the clutch too slow/fast? Am I giving it gas too soon/late? Am I not matching the clutch and gas at the right time? It's especially bad going from 1 to 2, but sometimes I'll row through the gears smooth as butter.


Also, when down-shifting, how slow or fast am I supposed to come off the clutch? Am I supposed to hold it for a second at the biting point or just gradually come off of it? I'm asking because when I downshift sometimes I can feel the clutch grab hard and sometimes I can just hear it smacking.


Last thing, when racing, how am I supposed to come off the clutch and gas? I feel as though I'm doing it wrong because I'll smell my clutch after banging through the gears.



I appreciate any tips and information!

Do a video. Don't have clue what you are doing wrong. These cars are so easy to shift smooth as silk and also easy to bang the gears depending your style.

[Casper the friendly G]

Originally Posted by kurmaro

Thank you and everyone else for the advice!

When you mentioned letting out the clutch smoothly but quickly when upshifting, am I supposed to give any gas at all during that procedure or wait till the clutch is all the way out first?

Also, you mentioned letting out the clutch quickly when downshifting but I find that whenever I do that the car jerks a little because I'm guessing it grabs too hard. This is with ARM on, so how can I make it smooth or is that normal?

Let clutch out slow at the same time giving it gas smoothly. Equal clutch, equal Gas.

[Casper the friendly G]

What I would do is take it to a dealer and tell him your clutch feels funny go on the test drive with him and observe how he does his foot work.

[LT1ornothing]

The OP is the sole reason why I avoided purchasing a used M6 LT1. The peace of mind of a new M6 purchase is nearly impossible to place a value on.

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by 1LEornothing

The OP is the sole reason why I avoided purchasing a used M6 LT1. The peace of mind of a new M6 purchase is nearly impossible to place a value on.

1 good road test will reveal all thats good or bad with a manual trans car.