GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Having never driven a stick other than an old datsun, I thought I would practice some on the '03 Vibe I bought yesterday. So I found an hill on the side of local school and did start/stops up and down it for about 10 minutes. When I rolled down the windows...you would that thought I'd lit a my clutch on fire for the smell!! I decided at that point I had had enough practice Hopefully I didn't burn it up too bad...

Yeah, man it can be difficult.... You really need to start on flat ground though... I know how important it is to be able to start on hills, but you are adding a varible into the mix. Work on it in a parking lot, easy on the revs smooth on the clutch...

Well, I was already pretty good on the flat...I picked that up in about 5 minutes. It's the hills that get me. About when do clutches typically need replacement?

If you keep 'practicing' on hills, the clutch will need replacement sooner rather than later.Learn to use the hand brake when you can when on a hill to reduce the amount of slipping required to get the car going...you just pull it up with the button depressed and when you feel the car start to want to move forward, you slowly lower the brake. This can save your clutch a bit if there are lots of hills around you.

One other small tip regarding a manual tranny, when stopped (traffic light, etc.) put the tranny in neutral and leave the clutch pedal all the way out, until time to go. Doing this will lessen the load on the throw-out bearing making it last much longer.

When the clutch starts smoking, you are doing significant wear/harm to the clutch disc. The best way to get the feel of the clutch is to practice on flat ground using only the clutch pedal, and NO GAS. You should be able to do that, and it will improve your co-ordination. You should also be able to up slight grades with that method. Then, you can try out some hills, but as was mentioned, don't be afraid to cheat with the emergency brake in your right hand - it is your friend.

the trick to driving a manual without burning up the clutch is this. Your either on the clutch to the floor or off it. No riding it. I hear people all the time taking off from lights and what not who over rev their engine while slipping out the clutch. If your trying to move slowly without stalling, don't rev more, just modulate the clutch a little bit. People often burn out their clutchs while backing up because when they want to go faster, they ride the clutch and give the accel more gas.