Manual Tranny Drivers..RPMs starting out in first gear?

[autobotaz]

After seeing all of the threads about problems with the clutch in some V6 and V8 Camaros I wanted to see what RPM we are all letting the clutch out at from a stop to a normal take off.

In an effort to not slip the clutch too much I have been really gentle barely getting over 1k but sometimes if I don't pay attention it will jerk a little from not enough right foot. I prefer closer to 1500. I am probably babying it too much but these clutch problem threads have me nervous.

For background purposes I am 34 and have driven manual trannys since I got my first car at 18. My little Scion Xb that I traded in for my Camaro had 70k and not one clutch issue in 5 years and I drove that thing hard. Apples and oranges I know, but just saying I'm not a noob lol.

What do you say??

[larryt1026]

I don't usually check the RPM when I take off from start. When I do take off from start..I used to let go of the clutch and when I feel it gets close to engaging, I just give it a little bit of gas. However, of late, I've been hitting a little gas before I start easing off the clutch as to prevent that I'd never stall. I'll check how much gas and what rpm I give it next time I drive. I'm no expert at driving stick..this Camaro is actually my first manual transmission, so I figured I'd post to also get everyones opinion.

[PAUL SS]

I just bump the rpm's up to 1,000 or so and as the clutch begins to engage apply more throttle as the clutch fully engages. It is a very smooth and seamless process.

[Chobbs11]

If you really want to baby your clutch you can just let the clutch engage without touching the gas, this car will go without revving the engine at all( unless your on a hill)

[superman]

Originally Posted by Chobbs11

If you really want to baby your clutch you can just let the clutch engage without touching the gas, this car will go without revving the engine at all( unless your on a hill)

Yup. Get good enough with your clutch so you can get it moving without hitting the gas. And once you get it rolling real slow, you can give it some gas.

I would practice by pushing it down all the way with your toes and slowing backing off with your heel on the ground and pulling your toes off the clutch. (be warned you will stall a lot until you get it right)

Best way to save your clutch. Even a 1k or 1.5k start burns more clutch than a no gas clutch start.

[larryt1026]

Originally Posted by superman

Yup. Get good enough with your clutch so you can get it moving without hitting the gas. And once you get it rolling real slow, you can give it some gas.

I would practice by pushing it down all the way with your toes and slowing backing off with your heel on the ground and pulling your toes off the clutch. (be warned you will stall a lot until you get it right)

Best way to save your clutch. Even a 1k or 1.5k start burns more clutch than a no gas clutch start.

If you do this enough, you'll be able to do all this fast? Sounds like it takes a long time to let go of the clutch slowly till engagement and then hit gas.

[GQ4Life]

I couldn't baby it. I bought this car to have fun. I did have clutch stick about two times but noticed slip quick & got out.
Don't worry about it enjoy the car.

[superman]

Originally Posted by larryt1026

If you do this enough, you'll be able to do all this fast? Sounds like it takes a long time to let go of the clutch slowly till engagement and then hit gas.

I'm not talking like 1 cm per minute or something, but just slowly let it go until you feel it catch. Eventually you'll be able to do this very fast and it'll be faster than revving your engine to 1k and letting the clutch burn...then catch.

You'll get the feel of where it catches and you can balance the clutch catching and giving gas to the point it feels like an automatic starting.

[ssmike]

I rev it up to about 3000 rpm and let er fly! LOL! Only problem is it'll suffer from premature tire wear, Oh well! Just kidding! Don't worry, just give er enough to prevent a stall and away you go!