What rpm do you engage the clutch at while in first gear. It seems as though I'm always engaging too low due to the fact the first few days I got the car I accidentally revved it too high a few times and became worried about burning up the clutch, so for daily driving where do you engage first?

about 2500 to 3000

Depends on if my wife is in the car with me.

If she is, then about 1,500.

If she is NOT, then I'd agree with the 2,500-3,000 answer of limecat.

Bob in Indy

Originally posted by bcrothers
Depends on if my wife is in the car with me.



LOL that is also how I decide when to shift for the other gears too :)

2500-3000 here as well. That's the best way I've found to get a smooth launch.

The first 3000 miles or so the engine was tighter and 2000 to 2500 was the most safe to make sure not to stall. Now with 10,000 miles, a little looser engine, and a better feel for the clutch, it is very easy to get rolling at a 1000 to 1500 max. Of course the 2500 to 3000 RPM method will always ensure a fairly quick start.

In traffic, about 1000rpm to launch. If I'm the first car at the light, 2 - 2.5k.

Don't know why so many people worry about stalling on launch. I launch without even putting my foot on the gas when I back out of the garage and leave the driveway. It's a very smooth engaging clutch.

Originally posted by beachdog
In traffic, about 1000rpm to launch. If I'm the first car at the light, 2 - 2.5k.

Don't know why so many people worry about stalling on launch. I launch without even putting my foot on the gas when I back out of the garage and leave the driveway. It's a very smooth engaging clutch.

A couple years ago, I bought an old beater (1989 Toyota Celica GTS 5sp) to learn to drive a manual and I don't recall ever touching the gas pedal when backing up the car. As soon as you let go of the clutch, the car started moving without a hint of it stalling. I can't do that with the 8 so I'm not sure how you can do so, beachdog. :confused:

Originally posted by moRotorMotor
A couple years ago, I bought an old beater (1989 Toyota Celica GTS 5sp) to learn to drive a manual and I don't recall ever touching the gas pedal when backing up the car. As soon as you let go of the clutch, the car started moving without a hint of it stalling. I can't do that with the 8 so I'm not sure how you can do so, beachdog. :confused:

Been doing it that way since the road test. Backed the car out of the parking space without touching the gas. Salesman was so surprised he tried it after my ride. Just takes a light touch and slow release. A couple of times I pulled forward a bit in 6th when I thought I had reverse.

When it feels good!

Originally posted by moRotorMotor
A couple years ago, I bought an old beater (1989 Toyota Celica GTS 5sp) to learn to drive a manual and I don't recall ever touching the gas pedal when backing up the car. As soon as you let go of the clutch, the car started moving without a hint of it stalling. I can't do that with the 8 so I'm not sure how you can do so, beachdog. :confused:

hmm could that actually means you might need a new clutch cause it's slipping and not causing the engine to stall? I asked a friend when do I know I need a new clutch and he told me "when your car turns into an automatic (when it doesn't stall if you let go of the clutch with no gas)

Originally posted by Rotary Titus
hmm could that actually means you might need a new clutch cause it's slipping and not causing the engine to stall? I asked a friend when do I know I need a new clutch and he told me "when your car turns into an automatic (when it doesn't stall if you let go of the clutch with no gas)

Naw, man. The car moves right away as soon as I let go of the clutch (without touching gas pedal), so I don't think the clutch is bad. I couldn't do that with my 8 so that was the reason of my concern. My 8 has about 2300 km so I doubt I wore out the clutch already.

Originally posted by moRotorMotor
Naw, man. The car moves right away as soon as I let go of the clutch (without touching gas pedal), so I don't think the clutch is bad. I couldn't do that with my 8 so that was the reason of my concern. My 8 has about 2300 km so I doubt I wore out the clutch already.

hmm weird (about your old car)...
LOL, well depends on how you drive it :p

Originally posted by Rotary Titus
hmm weird (about your old car)...
LOL, well depends on how you drive it :p

I forgot to mention that this happens only in reverse? ;) not in forward gears.

No, my clutch doesn't slip and I doubt that it will for a long long time. Drivng MT for over 30 years in all kinds of cars, trucks and bikes. When your first car is a VW with about 30 horsepower you learn something about launching. The 8 has enough torque to pull away slowly at idle as long as it's level ground. Reverse is even easier.

You should be able to reverse in any car without the gas since most reverse gears are lower than first, but you will probably have to slip the clutch until you get it going 3-4 mph. At least from my experiences.

My wife and I went to take an RX-8 out for a test drive last night on the interstate. The salesman took us around back to pick out one to drive. We chose a sunlight silver 6 speed. which was parked right behind another one. The dealer advised he needed to drive it out of the lot. <<crunch>> right into the back of the car in front -- he put it in 6th instead of reverse.

Anyway, it drove like a dream -- empty interstate loop at 10 at night. We decided to wait for the 2005's though

6000rpm :)

1000-1500 in traffic.

1500-2000 not in traffic

3500 if I really need to get going (like making a left on to a busy street.)

you guys do know that the car will go in first gear by just slowly easing the clutch out and WITHOUT gas right?

thats what i do when im in a traffic jam... so i wont be gasing stopping gasing stopping...

just slowly ease the clutch out....and when you feel the car has gotten enough momentum just let off the clutch completely... the car wont stall....

Normal everyday driving - "launch" from idle. If you can't do that without thinking you really don't know how to drive a stick yet.

Originally posted by bernieunger
Normal everyday driving - "launch" from idle. If you can't do that without thinking you really don't know how to drive a stick yet.

I 2nd that!

Originally posted by bernieunger
Normal everyday driving - "launch" from idle. If you can't do that without thinking you really don't know how to drive a stick yet.

Exactly the point I was making above. You were just a little more direct.:)

I with you beechdog on how to take off in first gear.

For others thinking their clutch is no good, you can test it by putting it in 6th gear and put your foot to the floor when you are at a speed for 3-4th gear. If the rpm goes up and the car goes no where, then it's no good.

depends on who's beside me

Originally posted by wpbrx8
You should be able to reverse in any car without the gas since most reverse gears are lower than first, but you will probably have to slip the clutch until you get it going 3-4 mph. At least from my experiences.

sure about that? i thought most reverse gears were somewhere in between the 1st and 2nd gear ratios. i'm not terribly inclined to look it up but i'm pretty sure 1st is the lowest gear in the 8.

as far as normal driving goes, generally i start at about 1100 and am fully engaged at 1400-1500 rpm. one time i tried at 8000 and yeah..way too much =p

Hey while i was driving today I hit on 120 miles on the car 7k on 1st gear accidentially is that ok or not?
I am reallly worried i'm pretty peranoid.