Foo - Shift at the intersection

Say you are cruising along at 45mph or whatever, and you are coming to an intersection. Slow down, come to a full stop as it's a red light. You are turning left, it's a fairly wide turn. So I would put my car in neutral, release clutch, and hit the brake. Green light comes, I shift into 1st and take off. I seem to wait until right after the turn to shift to 2nd, so maybe ~20mph.
Should I be shifting into 2nd DURING the actual turn?

Shift when the car is ready, regardless of whether you're turning.

Yea, I suppose that makes sense. I'll try shifting while turning, instead of running my engine to 4000rpm temporarily :D.

Depends on the turn. Travelin Jack nailed it. It gets easier when changing isn't something you have to focus on - that just comes with time, it will become instinctive.

I thump away to my music, banging my head, navigating with pedestrians and cyclists everywhere, flipping up and down gears like nobody's business. You'll get there.

(mind you I do have a mid 80's VW gearbox so my ride is sweet mellow rollin' :D).

Depends on the turn. Travelin Jack nailed it. It gets easier when changing isn't something you have to focus on - that just comes with time, it will become instinctive.

I thump away to my music, banging my head, navigating with pedestrians and cyclists everywhere, flipping up and down gears like nobody's business. You'll get there.

(mind you I do have a mid 80's VW gearbox so my ride is sweet mellow rollin' :D).


Gearjammer

Should I be shifting into 2nd DURING the actual turn?
if you are going fast enough that it warrants changing gears then absolutely.

Just keep driving, you'll figure everything out. :)

Just keep driving, you'll figure everything out. :)

+1

4,000 RPM shifts aren't going to hurt your car if shifting while turning is overwhelming right now. In a year, it'll be so ingrained you won't even think about it. I haven't looked at my tach in probably two years.

Soon enuff......you wont even need the clutch while you are moving.

I like to shift down before turn and sometimes use the gears to help slow down depending on speed, rpm's, etc. My old sports car was a 4 speed with tall gears, so it was great for shifting down before the turn and then accelerating out of it.

Accelerate? Punch it and let the back step out a bit as the tires sing to you. :)

Being Mothers Day and all, this reminds me...

Several years ago I drove a 'vette.......No, not that 'vette - this 'vette :p http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Worst-Cars/Images/finalists/chevette.jpg
My mom's car was at the shop and I was taking her back there to pick it up. We turn out of her neighborhood and I'm going through the gears, and I'm up to about 40 MPH...

Mom: Looks at me, looks down at shifter, looks back at me puzzled.
Me: Looks at mom "What?"
Mom: "Aren't you going to shift?"
Me: "Shift to what? Thats it!"
Mom: "Oh, well it sounds like there ought to be another gear."
:D :D :D
Moms car was a five speed.

If you're coming up to a light, stay in 2nd. Don't bother going down to 1st until you've come to a complete stop. At 20mph you should be in 2nd or even 3rd, unless you're in a hurry.

Heh, gotta love 3-speeds.....they always sound horrible at higher speeds.

Have the dealership remove the rev limiter. Never have to shift again!

Gah, this really makes me miss my 5speed. I haven't drivin a stick in about 6 months.


To the OP, just practice man, go out at night when the traffic dies down, and practice shifting through turns and what not. That way if you do mess up or stall out. You won't have someone breathing down your neck.

Yea, I am shifting much better than when I first started asking questions about a month or so ago :). I am actually going to have an Englishman teach me what he calls "European shifting techniques". I think it's good to have different people with me, just to be exposed to different techniques. I can pick the one that works best for me, or make my own. Basically, I feel very comfortable handling. The drivers ed folks tell me I am ready to get my license. I don't have confidence that I will pass with my car still, because even though most of the time I end up doing alright, I still worry that I might stall or something.