basic stick driving question
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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basic stick driving question
I am new to driving a full size truck with a big motor and manual tranny, so i have to relearn my technique. I have an 87 f-150 with a four speed and 300-6 motor.i have found it starts moving the best if i ease out to the friction point,(if if it wants to roll the wrong way)then bump the rpms up a little past a 1000 then ease the clutch out to full, if i have my trailer behind me or on a hill I bump up to about 1500 while easing out the clutch. IS this how it is suppose to be done? Is this the norm, or am i going to fry my clutch? Anybody care to explain their technique? I am trying to figure out my technique before i fry sumthin, so give me some tips advice...
LAter chris
LAter chris
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: VA BEACH. but am from IL
that sounds about right to me. I drive my dads 89 F150 Subercab 4x4 stick when he hauls his tractor to shows. Hes not good at backing up trailers so i get too .. The truck and trailer are bout 6,000 lbs together and i have to take off on an incline so i usually let off alittle and then when it starts to go, give it rpms to bout 1,000- 1,500. it never jerks or anything on me and i slowly release the clutch so it doesnt buck and break the straps off the tractor. We had my dads truck since new and we've never had to change a clutch yet.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: the beaches of florida
i have a 78 f150 300 4spd also. Mine is quite different than most sticks cause the gears are so low. It was hard to get used to cause my other truck is more of a street vehicle than off road. Anyway I dont know what to tell you other than what i do. For one, i dont have a tach in my truck so i dont know what im shifting at. At first i went by ear. I would just hear that the motor is reving and id slowly let the clutch in. When i was first learning i was constantly playing with how much gas to give and when to let out the clutch etc. Now im just used to it and i just drive it like normal. Im sure youll naturally get used to it if you keep driving it.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Nowhere, SE OK
in my truck i let out on the clutch a little while giving it enough gas so it won't try to stall.
on our 87 f-150 with the 300 all you have to do is let out on the clutch to get it going, you don't have to give it any gas.
a diesel manual is probably the easiest to start out in, most of the time you don't have to give it any pedal.
on our 87 f-150 with the 300 all you have to do is let out on the clutch to get it going, you don't have to give it any gas.
a diesel manual is probably the easiest to start out in, most of the time you don't have to give it any pedal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
In my experience, it all depends on things such as engine/drivetrain load, initial quality and present wear of the clutch, and the design of the clutch system itself (there are some differences). So it's mostly by feel really.
(In other words, what 76supercab2 said...
)
(In other words, what 76supercab2 said...
)
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 620
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From: Toronto, ON
I love how kids driving ricers around here will rev the engine up to 7,000RPM whilst riding the clutch to crawl forward into a parking spot or crawl forward in a fast-food line-up. Make me laugh my butt off
You can smell the clutch dust from a mile away. hehe
You can smell the clutch dust from a mile away. hehe
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
The least amount of slippage will provide the longest clutch life. No, I don't mean sidestepping the clutch either 
. I usually simultaniously press on the gas slightly while releasing the clutch and don't really rev the engine up much. If you have highway gears, then as expected the engagement process will take a bit longer. BTW, I don't need the tach; I do it be feel and sound.
. I usually simultaniously press on the gas slightly while releasing the clutch and don't really rev the engine up much. If you have highway gears, then as expected the engagement process will take a bit longer. BTW, I don't need the tach; I do it be feel and sound.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Empire of New Jersey
When I got my f150, I couldn't tell what the engine was doing at all since I couldn't hear it so I added a tach. I usually don't rev it more then a few hundred over 100, and just do basically do what 76supercab2 said. Now I have the feel of the truck more, I really don't need the tach, probably take it off soon, I feel kinda stupid with it.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: torrington,ct
once you get some experience under your belt you'll learn that theres no need to rev it to such and such an rpm, you'll be able to feel it, feel it with your feet. I kinda work the gas, I dont hold the throttle at a certain point, try for example, holding the tach at 1000 rpm, but not just one constant throttle posistion, work the gas back and worth, till it smooths out, thats kinda what I do but except it holds it at idle. Its easier to do with the clutch half way out becuase your putting some kind of load on the engine then.
once you get to that point tho you dont need a tach, hell I dont even need to hear the engine, butter smooth engagment and looks like its at idle.
once you get to that point tho you dont need a tach, hell I dont even need to hear the engine, butter smooth engagment and looks like its at idle.
