Advice on driving the Type R

[Cueyo]

I'm new to manuals, and more specifically the type R. Was looking for advice on how to drive this car and what i should be doing while learning stick.

So far I'm trying my hardest not to ride the clutch and putting the car in neutral as often as I can. I've been getting better at finding the biting point too, but I've definitely stalled at least a few times because I forget I have to clutch in when parking. I also find myself struggling to go from a stop to 1st, then 2st to 3rd quickly. Is this just something you get better with as you learn the biting point? I usually end up hitting 3500-4000 rpm going from 1st to 2nd and a coworker I asked said it's usually better to shift around 3000 if you can (this is under the assumption I'm not trying to go from 0-60 as quickly as possible). I'd like to learn stick best I can before I really drive the car hard, so knowing what's normal for the car is important to me.

In that regard, where should I have the rpm live when the car is driving normally? I try to "find" it by feeling if the car is shuddering or sounds like it's revving too high, but having a more concrete idea of what I should be doing would be helpful.

Any other pointers and tips would be appreciated too!

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[Fanatic]

I think you're doing pretty good. When I used to have my type r I used to stall it too once in a while despite having a good amount of experience. Just stay steady and consistent and be smooth. I grinded my gears more than a few times - I think it was the first to second and maybe second to third shifting but it's been a while I can't really remember, so just make sure you press the clutch in all the way before shifting and just be smooth about everything. You can even meet up with a few local buddies or car enthusiasts and get their additional feedback and perspective while taking a ride along and have them riding along with you as well so that you can gain additional experience. Keep up the good work and continue to keep an open mind like you are already doing.

 

[optronix]

Repetition. I don't really see how anyone could provide any advice that could substitute the simple repetition that comes with experience. Eventually your mind will just train itself; and at least you're learning on one of the easiest manual cars to drive I've ever experienced.

One thing someone told me when I was learning is to always clutch when you brake. Obviously that doesn't apply when in a track setting but driving around town, at least you'll never stall. Maybe with that in mind, it'll help.

Just wait until you get to the point you almost put your head through the windshield when you get back into an automatic and slam your left foot into the brake pedal. Then you'll know you've arrived.

As for rev range while driving, I think there's some variability to that. I've been in cars with people who like to hang out around 4000 rpm all day while going 35 mph and it's like nails on a chalk board- just FUCKING SHIFT!!!! lol. People have their preferences... or perhaps they just were trained wrong or never trained at all. So it's good to ask questions in that sense... but personally, there's a natural "groove" between lurching (which is not good for the drivetrain if done frequently btw) and screaming at higher rpms than necessary (not bad for the car per se but annoying). Anywhere in that range and you're fine. It might be subjective; it should get to the point where you don't think about it.

On the topic of "driving the car hard"- these cars are built well but no car is truly "bullet proof". A mechanical overrev WILL permanently damage or destroy your drivetrain, so you're on the right track of making sure you're completely comfortable on the street before you try any track stuff (also applies to driving on the street like you would on a track...). I'll also caution that some guys think they have to shift like they're competing for pink slips all the time. Really, you NEVER have to shift these cars ultra fast; even drag racing, to my experience these transmissions don't like to be shifted like you live your life a quarter mile at a time. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Especially on a race track... so just focus on accuracy, not speed when shifting, and when you feel like you're ready, you probably are.

Pre-workout kicked in while typing this, but I hope it helped lol.

 

[Rhorn]

I was told the same advice about shifting in the low RPMs when learning. I think its bad advice tbh because you are more likely to bog the car shifting at a lower RPM.

As long as the car is warmed up (180F-190F) just take it to redline or a higher RPM and shift, you will feel the car lurch forward when you shift and it will feel way more natural. You dont even need to feel for the bite point. Its way easier to shift up higher in the rev range than when its lower. My GT350 and BRZ is like this as well, shifting in the 3,000 RPM range was always herky jerky, espically when the engine isnt warmed up.

As for shifting fast, I wouldn't worry. You shouldn't and dont need to ram rod the shifter. The car isn't that fast where you have less than a second rowing between the gears. If you are going to redline you'll have enough time to go through the gears.

 

[chemreac]

work on getting the car to move woth no gas pedal, i mean in gear let off the clutch you will feel
it grab and let go it will roll foward and strat driving. Mine can get up the drivrway with no gas,.

that is how I learned in 1998, bought a 98 civic ex, my mom drove it home from the dealer for me haha. i just drove a lot at night, no reason for a panic attack when you are the idiot that stalla out 12x lol , it happened to me, i jumped out and threw my shoulder into the door frame and pushed myself out of traffic haha

 

[Cueyo]

Repetition. I don't really see how anyone could provide any advice that could substitute the simple repetition that comes with experience. Eventually your mind will just train itself; and at least you're learning on one of the easiest manual cars to drive I've ever experienced.

One thing someone told me when I was learning is to always clutch when you brake. Obviously that doesn't apply when in a track setting but driving around town, at least you'll never stall. Maybe with that in mind, it'll help.

Just wait until you get to the point you almost put your head through the windshield when you get back into an automatic and slam your left foot into the brake pedal. Then you'll know you've arrived.

As for rev range while driving, I think there's some variability to that. I've been in cars with people who like to hang out around 4000 rpm all day while going 35 mph and it's like nails on a chalk board- just FUCKING SHIFT!!!! lol. People have their preferences... or perhaps they just were trained wrong or never trained at all. So it's good to ask questions in that sense... but personally, there's a natural "groove" between lurching (which is not good for the drivetrain if done frequently btw) and screaming at higher rpms than necessary (not bad for the car per se but annoying). Anywhere in that range and you're fine. It might be subjective; it should get to the point where you don't think about it.

On the topic of "driving the car hard"- these cars are built well but no car is truly "bullet proof". A mechanical overrev WILL permanently damage or destroy your drivetrain, so you're on the right track of making sure you're completely comfortable on the street before you try any track stuff (also applies to driving on the street like you would on a track...). I'll also caution that some guys think they have to shift like they're competing for pink slips all the time. Really, you NEVER have to shift these cars ultra fast; even drag racing, to my experience these transmissions don't like to be shifted like you live your life a quarter mile at a time. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Especially on a race track... so just focus on accuracy, not speed when shifting, and when you feel like you're ready, you probably are.

Pre-workout kicked in while typing this, but I hope it helped lol.

Yeah I noticed that between my buddies 06 Toyota solara and the type R, the clutch is just so much easier to handle. I was struggling in hill starts with his car, but the type r doesn't need nearly as much "finding". In terms of rpm, I think I'll just try to stay in what gear the car feels happiest at my speed, the great thing about manuals (and the reason I wanted one) is how precisely I can control rpm and power output. The actual speed at which I shift may just be down to not knowing the process well enough, I find myself hesitating between gears, but I've gotten better. Have to keep telling myself the gear select is notchy since the solara I practiced on was not notchy at all.

That mechanical over-rev thing scares the hell out of me, second day driving I went from 5th at 2100rpm to 2nd and the rev march threw me to redline. Luckily no gear grinding, and I was in neutral prior so I think I haven't permanently damaged it yet lol.

 

[Cueyo]

I was told the same advice about shifting in the low RPMs when learning. I think its bad advice tbh because you are more likely to bog the car shifting at a lower RPM.

As long as the car is warmed up (180F-190F) just take it to redline or a higher RPM and shift, you will feel the car lurch forward when you shift and it will feel way more natural. You dont even need to feel for the bite point. Its way easier to shift up higher in the rev range than when its lower. My GT350 and BRZ is like this as well, shifting in the 3,000 RPM range was always herky jerky, espically when the engine isnt warmed up.

As for shifting fast, I wouldn't worry. You shouldn't and dont need to ram rod the shifter. The car isn't that fast where you have less than a second rowing between the gears. If you are going to redline you'll have enough time to go through the gears.

Haha yeah that 3k shift thing really doesn't work every time, but it's a good rule of thumb until I'm comfortable with driving.

I haven't hit the 500 mile break on yet, but I did try givin her the beans for a pull from 2nd to 4th, definetly enough time to shift when doing that! Sounds like it's better to just figure it out with those low gear shifts and then optimize timing later. I get worried about people behind me when they just shoot up, then I remember most can't drive stick

 

[Cueyo]

work on getting the car to move woth no gas pedal, i mean in gear let off the clutch you will feel
it grab and let go it will roll foward and strat driving. Mine can get up the drivrway with no gas,.

that is how I learned in 1998, bought a 98 civic ex, my mom drove it home from the dealer for me haha. i just drove a lot at night, no reason for a panic attack when you are the idiot that stalla out 12x lol , it happened to me, i jumped out and threw my shoulder into the door frame and pushed myself out of traffic haha

Should I be trying that from a stop to 1st? I've found it's actually super easy from 1st to 2nd, and any other gears after, just so long as my speed and rpms are right

 

[Cueyo]

I think you're doing pretty good. When I used to have my type r I used to stall it too once in a while despite having a good amount of experience. Just stay steady and consistent and be smooth. I grinded my gears more than a few times - I think it was the first to second and maybe second to third shifting but it's been a while I can't really remember, so just make sure you press the clutch in all the way before shifting and just be smooth about everything. You can even meet up with a few local buddies or car enthusiasts and get their additional feedback and perspective while taking a ride along and have them riding along with you as well so that you can gain additional experience. Keep up the good work and continue to keep an open mind like you are already doing.

I finally understand why people talk about "almost stalling", when I'm distracted, even for a second I feel the car shudders and immediately clutch in. All my stalls in traffic are directly related to not clutching-in in time lol.

I'll try to find some CTR folks, I know there's a blue one that drives around in the summer, maybe I'll just follow him

 

[chemreac]

Should I be trying that from a stop to 1st? I've found it's actually super easy from 1st to 2nd, and any other gears after, just so long as my speed and rpms are right

Just take your time my good man, it will come natural in no time! But yeah from a stop, only use the clutch in 1st obviously, repetition will create that muscle
memory of how far the pedal will come up for it to engage, before you know, it will become natural, and you wont even think about it.

thinking was my biggest challenge, if i stalled then people behind me get upaet, im getting more upset and my muscles where just doing everything wrong because of nerves haha

we have a beach town, ocean city MD, parents have a spot there. The 2nd week of owning the car, i drove down after work and found out everyone forgot i was coming, july 1998, i had a cell so i had called before the 2.5 hour drive and they still forgot. So anyways, I drove up and down the road there a littlw over 10 miles each way with a ton of lights, i did this from 130am or so until 7am when my grandfather woke up. That was the point that it was finally clicking on all cylnders

also, you dont need to change gears at some high rate of movement man, i still do this, but if im coasting ill go to neutral, TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH, dont leave it pushed in because if you let off a little it will try to catcg and wear it down; and when you need gas, shift into gear and you can still just go by letting the clutch up when it doesnt jerk then you got it!

maybe its the way i read it, but there isnt a speed or rpm that you HAVE TO SHIFT by unless you are hitting the rev limiter, same goes for your body movements. you are not gonna stall while already moving, just practice being smooth, you arent in a race, there is no need to change gears as fast as possible, that will all come in time. I would say within a month you wont even think about it anymore.

i learned on a 98 civic ex, brand new car, i didnt do any damage to my clutch or wear it out prematurely, so dont be scared and nervous or freak out if you grind a gear or misshift, learn the speeds you are in per gear, then downshifting will come as well.

its my advice, thats what i did to learn, im sure you will get more reponses with similar kkowledge and maybe a different way to do it, but you got this no problem. Make sure you get good before doing highway shit like down shifting and over revving the car, but even that unleas you are purposefully going as gasy as poasible, at 60 you can still downshit to 3rd, 4th, etc, same premiseput it in gear let the clutch out, not slowly just controlled you will know if you are to fast for the gear, if the dash lights up with the lights ( i use the type r mode cluster) all you do is oush the clutch back in before you let it all the way out if you think you are moving to fast for the gear you seletced.

hope that helps some, not a professional driver or amything, just 27 years of experience

 

[Bandit_TypeR]

I'm new to manuals, and more specifically the type R. Was looking for advice on how to drive this car and what i should be doing while learning stick.

So far I'm trying my hardest not to ride the clutch and putting the car in neutral as often as I can. I've been getting better at finding the biting point too, but I've definitely stalled at least a few times because I forget I have to clutch in when parking. I also find myself struggling to go from a stop to 1st, then 2st to 3rd quickly. Is this just something you get better with as you learn the biting point? I usually end up hitting 3500-4000 rpm going from 1st to 2nd and a coworker I asked said it's usually better to shift around 3000 if you can (this is under the assumption I'm not trying to go from 0-60 as quickly as possible). I'd like to learn stick best I can before I really drive the car hard, so knowing what's normal for the car is important to me.

In that regard, where should I have the rpm live when the car is driving normally? I try to "find" it by feeling if the car is shuddering or sounds like it's revving too high, but having a more concrete idea of what I should be doing would be helpful.

Any other pointers and tips would be appreciated too!

Starting on an uphill incline like going into a parking deck or a hill with a stop light takes some finesse. That's probably the trickiest thing to navigate with a manual. I probably use a little more gas than normal on an incline because I don't want to stall if some one is behind me riding my tail. I don't want to roll back if I stall so I overcompensate a bit on the gas to ensure the car won't stall on a hill.

1st to 2nd is touchy with this car. It doesn't like a quick shift. Make sure the clutch is fully depressed, pull the shifter back and slightly pressing towards your right thigh. This gives me the best 1st to 2nd slotting.

Otherwise, you're doing the right things. Stalls, an occasional grind are part of learning to drive a manual. Have fun!

 

[holland1]

I'd find a big open unused parking lot and spend a good amount of time starting and stopping. Not sure where you are but if any where near northeast CT you can practice on my old tacoma.

 

[Cueyo]

I'd find a big open unused parking lot and spend a good amount of time starting and stopping. Not sure where you are but if any where near northeast CT you can practice on my old tacoma.

Thanks for the offer! I'd genuinely take you up on the offer but I'm at least 2 hours away in upstate NY lol.

I'll try just practicing start/stop more. I think I'm good enough to drive in traffic (drove to work and took a day off to practice), but that stop to 1st biting point and rev are still alluding me. I can get them perfect occasionally, but it takes all my focus.

 

[Bandit_TypeR]

Thanks for the offer! I'd genuinely take you up on the offer but I'm at least 2 hours away in upstate NY lol.

I'll try just practicing start/stop more. I think I'm good enough to drive in traffic (drove to work and took a day off to practice), but that stop to 1st biting point and rev are still alluding me. I can get them perfect occasionally, but it takes all my focus.

You have to feather the clutch a bit while giving gas. The bite point is not very obvious. Reminds me a motorcycle.

 

[Cueyo]

Starting on an uphill incline like going into a parking deck or a hill with a stop light takes some finesse. That's probably the trickiest thing to navigate with a manual. I probably use a little more gas than normal on an incline because I don't want to stall if some one is behind me riding my tail. I don't want to roll back if I stall so I overcompensate a bit on the gas to ensure the car won't stall on a hill.

1st to 2nd is touchy with this car. It doesn't like a quick shift. Make sure the clutch is fully depressed, pull the shifter back and slightly pressing towards your right thigh. This gives me the best 1st to 2nd slotting.

Otherwise, you're doing the right things. Stalls, an occasional grind are part of learning to drive a manual. Have fun!

Haha, yeah I need a lot more practice on hills. I don't roll back as much as I'd think on the CTR, but the fear is still there. I heard theres a way to use my parking brake to mitigate it, but I'd have to watch someone do it to get it right.

Gotta

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