stupid quesion about stick?

[G.E.]

how do you know when to down shift? I have a L99 on order but today i found exactly the same that i ordered except its an LS3... but i've never driven stick before so i'm not sure if i want to risk it... anyway i was just curious how you know when to down shift? also any input on which would be the better choice would be helpful.

all this is very helpful... but i'm mainly asking like if you are coming to a red light, how do you slow down and shift down to stop... or do you slow down and then put it back in 1st?

[Sajonf]

Originally Posted by G.E.

how do you know when to down shift? I have a L99 on order but today i found exactly the same that i ordered except its an LS3... but i've never driven stick before so i'm not sure if i want to risk it... anyway i was just curious how you know when to down shift? also any input on which would be the better choice would be helpful.

you should probably wait for the auto if you have to ask

[cannondalerider]

I don't have my Camaro yet, but you would downshift if you're lugging the motor in any manual vehicle (like 20 in 5th gear and your RPM are at 1000). You don't really have to downshift to slow down, just throw it in neutral while you brake the when you are ready to go put it in 1. On the highway if you're cruising in top gear you may drop 1 or 2 gears for passing or speeding up.

[shank0668]

Originally Posted by Sajonf

you should probably wait for the auto if you have to ask

My brother drove a stick g5 off the lot never and never drove stick before.

[mike25]

Originally Posted by Sajonf

you should probably wait for the auto if you have to ask

If you can't offer help don't reply.

It's just a 'feeling' that you will learn to acquire after driving it... Youl learn the box and the motor and youl just know what RPM to put it down at...2500-3000 generally if you use your tranny to brake some for you

[jayson71]

You shift up or down depending on engine RPM and what you are trying to accomplish.

Upshift when engine RPMs are high and you are accelerating.

Downshift when you are slowing down and engine RPMs are getting low

There are a lot of other reasons for up and down shift but you will need to learn these through experience and maybe some track training.

[jnewberr2ssrs]

This is just my personal opinion because I had never owned a manual car either before I got this one...Go with the LS3 and you'll learn

Yeah it's frustrating at first but it's definitely fun and rewarding once you do learn!

Come on guys if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all...He just has some questions about how it's done that's all

[halo8hkk]

listen to the motor it will tell u what i wants. u will be happy u got the stick once u get the hang of it.

[Bear]

LS3 FTMFW!!!!

[Jen10/68]

Not a stupid question, but if in doubt, get the LS3. You will learn and every stick you drive will feel a little different. Once you learn you will probably prefer it to the Auto and you will be sorry you didn't get the manual. Soooo much more fun IMO!

[Kelso]

get the ls3 learning is simple and fun...i learned on a 99 camaro in no time..u wont regret it!

[NightmareSS]

i say go for it...unless you really want auto...i got my camaro stick and i only drive stick maybe 4-5 times b4 and only for short durations...i knew what to do but just didnt have the experience...i too drove it off the lot in new jersey back to staten island (new york)...i wanted stick so i got it...rather be a lil ruff around the edges with it for the first couple months then live the rest of my live wishing i got stick...i picked up on it pretty quick...30 miles and i was comfortable...i mean i still to this day stall once in a while but nothing serious...i only have 285 miles on the car so i still dont have that many miles experience but enough to not have to worry about getting stuck in traffic...when im coming to a stop i just through it in neutral and go into first when moving again...i down shift at times around turns just to get in the habit of it...its not hard at all to know when...if ur below 20mphs u can bring it down to 2nd imo but im no expert...i never bring it down to first cuz u have to be going real slow or the car is gonna lug hard...u can give it gas while downshift to stop it from lugging but when im coming to a stop i dont feel comfortable giving it gas...thats y i just throw it in neutral...my advice if you get the stick is to just do the neutral thing till u get more comfortable with it...if part of u wants a manual transmission then i say go for it by all means

[SicSix6]

Originally Posted by G.E.

how do you know when to down shift? I have a L99 on order but today i found exactly the same that i ordered except its an LS3... but i've never driven stick before so i'm not sure if i want to risk it... anyway i was just curious how you know when to down shift? also any input on which would be the better choice would be helpful.

You downshift as you are slowing down. Or you downshift when you are in a gear that is too high to quickly excellerate. Ie: riding on the highway at 60 MPh and you need to speed up to change lanes,you would downshift at least one gear. If you were going to race from a rolling 60 MPH, you would downshift as much as 2 gears to get to a quicker gear. You would as you come to a stop light, apply the break and downshift a gear or two to assist the beaks at slowing you down. You would want to downshift in order to go up a steep hill.
My suggestion if you don't know how to drive a stick:
either don't get the stick and stick with the automatic.
Or have someone take you out on a nonbusy road to practice and learn how to drive a manual car....

[daphatgrant]

Originally Posted by 2SSARME

Your car will tell you. You can hear the engine.

This right here, engine sound tells it all. If it is whining then shift up, if it is bogging shift down, keep the motor at a constant purr .