Gear shift points in 2011 LS

[skcamaro]

Hi guys,

I got a new Camaro (2011 LS). Its a stick shift, and I'm completely new to manual transmission. *sheepish grin*. But I just couldnt resist the Camaro....I'm trying to get a feel for the gear shift points. I'm able to get the car moving in first gear without problems, but I struggle with the 1st to 2nd gear change. The car jerks most of the time. (2nd to 3rd to 4th to 5th are all fine).

I was just wondering if theres some guidance on when to shift gears. I checked the owners manual and couldnt find the recommended maximum rpm's for each gear or something of that sort. Do you guys know if its listed somewhere?

I guess its a matter of practice..but I thought it might be useful info

[fearless]

dont pop clutch out so fast let it out a hair slower and it shouldnt jerk

[RunningOnEmpty]

That jerkiness is because your not shifting fast enough and the RPM drops real low, or because your letting off the clutch too fast.

I usually shift anywhere between 1500 and 2500 RPM. Stay in that range for normal everyday driving and you should be fine.

As far as not shifting quick enough, if that is the case, it shouldn't take you more than 2-3 seconds to complete a shift. If your taking longer than that then you should practice shifting quicker. It's not bad for the car at all, but could cause that jerking at low RPM and you might make other drivers mad at you.

Good luck to you and welcome to Camaro5 and congratulations on your new ride! The perma-grin will never go away.

[FC_GIBB]

well you dont want to get at your "max rpm's" unless you plan on driving agressive. I learned how to drive stick on my first car almost 13 yrs ago. sound like you may be letting off the clutch too quick if its jerking though, every cars clutch is different. you'll figure it out

congrats on a beautiful car though and welcome to camaro5

[skcamaro]

thanks fearless. I'll try it out like that. My apologies for asking such a basic question!

[skcamaro]

thanks for all the responses guys! Very helpful!
Totally exciting learning to drive a stick shift. And the car is a beauty! Cant take my eyes off it! sigh

[reocamaro]

Hey SK, I couldn't be more in the same boat as you if I lived in Arizona. I bought the car two weeks ago, and have been learning stick every night since. I'm getting a lot less jerky and it hasn't even been that long. I don't know how much the LS trans differs from the SS trans, but an individual by the name of infernO wrote a few tips for how to properly shift and drive in one of my threads. I don't know if it'll help you, but it helped me.

Have a great day and good luck!

[DarkneSS]

Dont shift into second at anything less than 8 mph or you increase the chances for jerking, nothing less than 15 mph from second to third, and then about 29 mph for third to fourth. Also you're probably getting back onto the gas too quick during your shifts. Make sure you're completely off the clutch consciously before giving it gas again.

Good luck.

[FC_GIBB]

Originally Posted by reocamaro

Hey SK, I couldn't be more in the same boat as you if I lived in Arizona. I bought the car two weeks ago, and have been learning stick every night since. I'm getting a lot less jerky and it hasn't even been that long. I don't know how much the LS trans differs from the SS trans, but an individual by the name of infernO wrote a few tips for how to properly shift and drive in one of my threads. I don't know if it'll help you, but it helped me.

Have a great day and good luck!

if the clutch on the LS3 is the same or anything similar to the LS2 in a GTO then you picked the harder car to learn stick on the V6's clutch is very easy in my opinion

[Phake]

wow. and i thought i was the only person learning to drive stick on a new camaro. it's good to see other people doing it as well. some people i know said it was silly of me for to get manual when i don't know how to drive it well. i've had mine for about a month and a half and i'm doing great! ^0^ hope the same happens for you.

[trm0002]

Always shift just before the fuel cut-off kicks in at max r's.
.
.
.
Seriously, if you want to drive "competitive" shift at around 200-300 r's before the cutout. If you want to drive like "most" people, shift at around 3200-3500 IMO. If you want to be a *****, shift at 2000. Pretty simple.

[skcamaro]

Its good to hear that I've fellow learners on the camaro, reocamaro and phake! I was feeling rather silly too with friends asking why the heck I bought a stick shift when I didnt even know how to drive it. (how can you not when you see the camaro )
Thanks Darkness, I was just about to ask the speeds at which shifting would be recommended.

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by DarkneSS

Dont shift into second at anything less than 8 mph or you increase the chances for jerking, nothing less than 15 mph from second to third, and then about 29 mph for third to fourth. Also you're probably getting back onto the gas too quick during your shifts. Make sure you're completely off the clutch consciously before giving it gas again.

Good luck.

Your car goes 8 ? Mine doesn't. Well, maybe near the end of braking...

[PB3]

Originally Posted by trm0002

Always shift just before the fuel cut-off kicks in at max r's.
.
.
.
Seriously, if you want to drive "competitive" shift at around 200-300 r's before the cutout. If you want to drive like "most" people, shift at around 3200-3500 IMO. If you want to be a *****, shift at 2000. Pretty simple.

Bwahaha!