Winky said:downshifting doesn't wear out a clutch
Professur said:That's how I was taught. Empty parking lot, and a whole lot of stop, first, second, stop, first, second, stop.
You do know that you're not supposed to shift gears in the middle of an intersection, doncha? Set yourself up a few intersections (if the lines are still visible) and practice getting through in one gear.
Then, when you're all done, and confident, make sure there's nothing withing 100 yards of you and try this. Put the car in reverse. Make sure your belt is good and tight. Put your right arm on the back of the seat beside you. Turn so that you're looking out the back. Left arm at the 12-1 o'clock postion on the wheel. Start off backwards. Snap the wheel to the left, and floor it. And hang on for dear life.
In a tight space, this can be aided by pulling on the hand brake between half and three quarters. But pulling the brake usually means you're not looking out the back, so you're not looking where you're going ... and that's a bad thing.
Positraction.Altron said:The second dude went up to the corner and floored it. Not sure if he had RWD or not. The back wheels were definetly spinning and smoking, but it might have been four-wheel-drive, because the back end didn't swing out on the turn.
Inkara1 said:I do the brake trick too -- I keep my right foot on the brake and let the left foot out until the dashboard shudders a little bit, then I take my foot off the brake and give it some gas. I use that trick for backing out of my parents' driveway all the time.
Also, you'll get used to the positioning of the clutch. Most of the time, you'll want your foot to not be on the clutch anyway, so to the left should be fine... and if you're going to be stopped for a little bit, it's best to put the tranny in neutral and let off the clutch to save wear on the throwout bearing.
You will stall it a time or two at first. It just takes a little practice though. The trick is to do it smoothly and quickly.Altron said:Makes sense. Sounds like there's more danger of stalling, though.
You don't heel-and-toe then?Inkara1 said:Eventually, he will. I'm to that point going forward, but when I back out of my parents' driveway, which is REALLY STEEP and ends at the garage door, I still find myself using the dashboard shudder.
Altron said:All of the pedals in the Maxima combined have about as much surface area as my brake.
Or about half as much surface area as my gas.