I fail at Camaro, stick shift & life (a self deprecating rant)

[Noilleber6]

it really is ok man i got my camaro in sept and that was the first manual i ever had and no one to teach me i basically drove it around the block for the first 2 weeks to get use to it then moved up to taking it to the corner store and other developments and finally when i felt comfortable after about a month i started taking it to work and using it as a daily driver it really scared me at first too when i kept stalling cause i kept thinking maybe i made the wrong choice in buying a manual but really it just is about feel and not thinking so much about it and you'll be fine and eventually you'll be fine

[OldJedi]

My first car was a three speed on the column (just to give you an idea of when I started driving). I sat in the driveway shifting and clutch pressing for hours on end trying to develop my timing. I finally got the nerve on on a weekend drove it to an empty lot and spent the day just driving in circles and stopping at the end of each row. By the end of the day I was much better. Since then I have taught both of my daughters how to drive sticks. I used the same method. Time in the driveway getting used to timing without the car running and then lots and lots of circles in an empty parking lot. Moving after stopping is the hardest part, it just takes practice. Try to borrow or rent a Honda or Toyota to practice with. You won't be as intimidated trying to get a small 100 HP car going as opposed to a 425HP car going. Once you get comfortable in the small car, moving up to the Camaro will be much easier. Relax and use the force.

[Matrix]

Originally Posted by GNVenom

Your left foot should alternate between the throttle and the brake. DO NOT USE THE BRAKE to manage the clutch slip. Use the throttle instead, and pulse your foot between no engagement and slight engagement of the clutch.

You should NOT smell a clutch. That is definitely not normal!

It doesn't matter if you're going uphill or not. If uphill, and you don't want the car rolling back, you need to be quick between the brake and throttle, all the while, easing up or down on the clutch. Too much slippage (or forcing slippage) destroys the pressure plate and leads to early "chatter" in your clutch.

Practice, practice. Don't be afraid of uphill climbs or "inching" the car where you want it. Just don't use the brake at the same time as the clutch. Disaster will happen.

HUH!!! ARE YOU SURE!!!!! YOU SHOULD NEVER USE YOUR LEFT FOOT FOR THE BRAKE OR THE GAS> Im sure you meant right foot?? Right?