OK....so, one of the conditions of not buying a Tip was that I had to teach my wife how to drive a manual transmission. (I know, I know...normally this would be absurd and not even worth mentioning twice) But as I've come to learn that ever since I signed that marriage certificate, everything of mine is hers and everything of her's is hers as well. Me, being a go with the flow kind of guy, not really into the I have found happiness in life with 3 phrases....."Yes dear", "You're right" and "I'm sorry". So on to my question.....


My CLK has a winter mode that starts the automatic tranny in 2nd to combat slipping.....would teaching my wife while starting the car in 2nd cause any kind of problems with the car? I figure the car is much more stable in 2nd and would be easier for her to learn.

"She who must be obeyed" will get you far in life. I'd say teach her the right way by finding some open spaces to let her deal with first. And you might even consider getting someone else to teach her which would relieve all that other stuff. Starting in 2nd will require more revs which is not a good habit to develop in my opinion.

I think if it's just moving a bit 2nd is fine and preferable. Otherwise, it may increase clutch/differential etc. wear.

I don't think I would ever make a habit out of starting in second, can't be good for the clutch or the engine.

Russ

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Thanks, that really made me laugh ...

Ditto, while 2nd will make it seem easier to learn, at least I thought so learning in a WRX; the truth is you will cause much more wear on the clutch because you will have to rev the car higher and\or hold the clutch at its point of constant longer. Allow her to train her left foot alone, leave her right foot on the floor board, and let her left foot out slowly so she learns the point at which the car starts creeping forward. Then let her do plenty of starts such as these, where no gas is applied till the car is moving forward. This will save your clutch at first and let her realize what she is doing by letting the clutch out, connecting the engine and the wheels. Then, practice launching faster by giving some gas and holding the clutch at the constant point for a smaller amount of time. With practice she'll become a pro and this way your clutch will have the least wear.

- Suneet

... agree with other posters - better teach her right from the start. Besides, starting in second uphill would be a b!@#%.

I wonder if you could rent a car with a stick from a "rent a wreck" place for her to learn on. Or have her test drive a manual transmission toyota of some kind at a dealership

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Life is not a rehearsal

I second Naybor's post. I would find a rental/ friends beater to begin the lessons in. I definitely would teach her the right way from the very beginning.

SantaFe also has a VERY GOOD suggestion as well. Get a trusted friend to teach her. I have taught kids of our friends how to do a stick because M&D did not have the patience (and sometimes the manual tranny car) to do so.

I'll have her taught the proper way.

I've actually looked into rental places with no luck. I'm seriously considering a $500 beater. I would have to lie about where I got it though....just like almost everything else I buy. Any suggestions?

It would have to be a private party and make sure you teach her in a private place; otherwise dealer prep, registration, insurance will make it not worth it. Unless you know someone with a dealers liscence.

I think if you teach her properly, and don't get stressed out or upset when she stalls, your clutch will be fine...

- SS

I agree with Suneet.
I taught both my kids to drive using the clutch only method, and all of them in high performance cars. It works well, and gets them used to feeling the clutch.

im 17 and my dad taught me how to drive stick on this car. he took me out to a place with very few cars and i spent 5 min stalling. after i couldnt get it in gear i gave up and asked him to take me home. my dad refused and said that the only way we would get home is if i drove there... so i thought about walking home exept i was far from everything. after a while i got it into gear stalled somemore got honked at and now look back at it and glad i learned. i think after 6 months of driving a stick now, it has made me a better driver and is nothing but fun. Just try not to get mad, and you have to realize that everything you know about driving stick she doesnt, and you have to explain it to her like she is an idiot. when my dad told me i wasnt matching the engine rpms with the transmition rpms i looked at him with dismay

good luck!

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white cayman
zone 8- L.A.