A LITTLE WORRIED

[nitrorcr1787]

I almost always downshift to stop/slow. Helps the breaks stay a little longer!!! Do the same with my Harley...

[Cap'n Pete]

Originally Posted by cflbuckeye

Ok...since we're talking manual/stick shift, are people still downshifting (i.e. engine breaking) these days or have brakes come along enough it's not necessary. ... It seems like alot of people aren't engine breaking these days? Is it because they're lazy or is it now "not" the thing to do?

The brakes will slow the car FAR better than the engine, any day of the week, so there's no need to using engine "braking" (ie: in a panic stop). If anything, in a panic stop, BOTH FEET IN (brakes and clutch).

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with engine braking, to assist with slowing down gradually, or maintaining your speed on a downhill, etc. Or in traffic, when it's constant stop-and-go, I'll often stay in a lower gear so that I'm not "coasting" into the cars in front of me.

Taking advantage of engine braking is still perfectly fine and useful. If you've been driving manual for years, I wouldn't change what you're doing . But like I said, you don't need to rely on the engine to help slow you down.

[jd10013]

Originally Posted by K32 Camaro

In the long run you will have to replace the cluth anyway. Instead of at 100k miles you might have to replace it at 80k mi. Either way don't worry about it, they're built to be tough. My rule is if you can't smell it and can't hear a grind then you're not hurting it.

I've never had to replace a clutch in my life. one car had 212k, another 193k and still going, and another 163k and still going. unless you abuse it, you should never need to replace it. I can't say exactly what it would cost, being as I've never replaced one, but I'm guessing a clutch job on a camaro is probably going to set you back 2-3k.

to the op, just practice. with all the synchronizers and everything in modern transmissions it's just a matter of getting your timing down. the transmission, even in a manual, still does most of the work.

[Dr.Manhattan]

I would smell the burning after doing reverse for the first few months after I bought it. I figured this was pretty much normal for high end clutches getting broken in. Don't fret too much dude, takes sometime. From what I gather these are the same clutches they have been using in the Corvettes for sometime, so they should be bulletproof.

[BLU BY U]

Originally Posted by cflbuckeye

Ok...since we're talking manual/stick shift, are people still downshifting (i.e. engine breaking) these days or have brakes come along enough it's not necessary. I have been driving stick since my first car, and only had one automatic vehicle in my life (my truck I just traded in on my new camaro). It seems like alot of people aren't engine breaking these days? Is it because they're lazy or is it now "not" the thing to do?

Originally Posted by nitrorcr1787

I almost always downshift to stop/slow. Helps the breaks stay a little longer!!! Do the same with my Harley...

I downshift every now, and then (at low rpm's). I figure brake pads are easier to change than (engine parts, clutch parts,etc.)

[BLU BY U]

Originally Posted by Dr.Manhattan

I would smell the burning after doing reverse for the first few months after I bought it. I figured this was pretty much normal for high end clutches getting broken in. Don't fret too much dude, takes sometime. From what I gather these are the same clutches they have been using in the Corvettes for sometime, so they should be bulletproof.

Not normal...sounds like you were slipping it.

[midnighter]

The clutches in these cars are pretty tough, I burned mine a few times learning to do a brake stand (forgot to turn off TC). It still works fine.

[310Driver]

I love the smell of burnt clutch in the morning! Smells like......victory! Lol

[menendez1293]

Some noise is perfectly normal. Took me a little while to get used to the camaro since i changed from a old BMW to a new car. If you hear a loud clank when you depress the clutch at low speeds its normal. The camaros have a very vocal transmission as i like to say. Probably not the best car to learn on but you will get the hang of it. I have been driving stick for about 3 years now and i am pretty good at it. Barely even stall now.

But to answers another question i usually drive around in sixth or fifth depends where i am at in town. When i am about to come to a stop sign or light i go down a gear and let go of the throttle once i have changed and don't put the car into natural till I'm about to stop. Basically right before i know the car doesn't want to be in that gear anymore.

[FresnoStateDogs]

My car often smells like burning but that's because I drive it hard, burn tire, and accelerate hard. There's a reason why I drive a fast car. I have noticed after a long circuit going 120mph+ my clutch begins to stick. Once I let the RPM's drop to ~1k it un-sticks. Maybe I should take it easier on her?

[B-Rex]

nah man. this car was built to be driven if i had roads where i oculd get up over 120 i would do it every chance i got

[Baba]

Originally Posted by h2oplay

relax, keep your foot off the clutch after shifting, use N at stop lights, foot off the clutch......you'll get the hang of launching from a stop.

Definitely agree! When stopped at a light or sitting in heavy traffic, shift into neutral and take your foot off of the clutch.

[Coyotekiller]

Originally Posted by B-Rex

nah man. this car was built to be driven if i had a race track where i oculd get up over 120 i would do it every chance i got

Fixed it for you

[hightower]

You're doing fine, no worries.