If i dont clutch, i really have to force it in and its probably not good for it. Im new to stick so im not sure how big a problem this is.

 

are you saying that you have to force it into neutral? i always clutch to take it out of gear so i'm not sure if it is difficult or not.

 

Yes, it is normal. Thats the way it should be done.

 

this is a joke right?

 

Seriously....tell me you're joking

 

imo
you should never need to force in or out of any gear by using the clutch, other wise something is wrong.
but it is posible to shift with out using the clutch,
the thing with manual trans is that, the gears open up at certain rpm-I believe they are around 1700rpm.
one way to find that not so exact rpm is to drive as nornal in let say second gear, very lightly(cause the 8 shift too easily) keep steady/slight pressure on the stick toward nuetral with couple fingers, now vary the rpm between 1500 to 2000.
you will feel the shifter pop into nuetral.
you can shift into gear the same way.
I had drove my rx7 for a week without using my broken clutch.
one thing is that you need to be very experience and know about gearing, expeciallly trying to move from a full stop.
I would use the clutch at all time and not to force it.
anyone find this correct or not please at or correct me.

 

nonono... that's just not something you do with a modern transmission. never never try to shift without the clutch. problem solved.

 

Oooooooooops. I was under the impression that you dont have to push in the clutch to get into nuetral. For the most part I've been pushing in the clutch but there have been occasions when I didnt. Hopefully I havent done too much damage as ive only had the car for about six days....

 

also dont ride the clutch with your left foot but put it on the dead peddle. riding the clutch is bad as is shifting without depressing the clutch.

 

is this true for all car?
gears open up around 1700?

what is the benifit of not using clutch?
and downside??

 

I have no doubt that the next incarnation of the RX8 will have a paddle shift/no clutch option...

...if they're reading this thread they will anyway! :D


Guy's, go here http://www.standardshift.com/

 

on a similar note, after the sun sets, do you need to use the car headlamps?

I'm getting my new RX-8 next Jan here in the UK and have heard it deteriorates battery performance? Anyone else heard this?

ta!

 

Hey, if they put the powerful lights at hte back of the car, facing backwards, would that make the car go forward fast.

...I'm sure that's how the photon drive works...

 

On an associated topic, is it important to take off the handbreak whilst driving around towns? It makes sense on open roads, but driving around towns in the UK, involving frequent breaking and acceleration, I tend to find that leaving the handbreak on tends to smooth things out more.

I'm sure those who are fully conversant with advanced driving techniques involving a clutch should be able to answer this.

 

brits are incapable of being funny

 

Now that is funny, Russell. You are a comedy giant.

"If i dont clutch, i really have to force it in and its probably not good for it. Im new to stick so im not sure how big a problem this is."

That's like saying "If I urinate into my electrical sockets I get an electric shock. What should I do"

 

Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

Doctor: "Then don't do that!"

 

HA HAHA HA HAHAHA HA HA HAHA

Oh my stomach!!!

 

Bad analogies......what if i were peeing in a toilet and getting shocked? What if i said "Doctor it hurts when i eat" would he tell me not to eat? I was just makin sure there wasnt a problem with my shifter. Now that i realise I wasnt supposed to be doing that, im just worried about how much damage i may have caused.

 

A fair point, Russell - having been this side of the pond (Wales, in England) for a few years now I'm only just started getting used to this quaint British humor - they do lack our sofisticated humor for sure...

*Anyway* .... getting back on-topic, when I get my car (it's bright red with the spare tire), is there really any need for more than the two gears - reverse and forward should be okay, right? - and if I take the car back home to NJ, do I need to get the steering wheel moved onto the other side of the manual shift stick?

Thanks for the input.

 

Just drive it the way it should be driven and keep an ear out for strange noises. The syncrmesh on manual transmissions these days is normally fairly bullet proof.

If you have a problem use your warranty. I doubt that you could have caused any serious damage really...

 

Amyone notice the little eye-bolts, I've never seen oars that thin.

 

So the clutch pedal is the one on the left, then the gas pedal, then the brake....or is it gas, brake, clutch....oh, I'm so confused. Can someone drive this car for me???

 

LOL!!

 

I heard they're comming out with toothpaste in England.