My first manual :)

[Gnfanatic]

OK guys, I am 39 years old and got my first Mustang GT and it is my first manual (finally). I am used to fast cars (I have a 10sec GN) but they were all autos. MY question to you guys, do I have to put the clutch all the way to the floor when changing gears?? Seems like a lot of pedal travel to me. Also, the shifter is very notchy. I know my in-experience doesn't help and it will get better. The car has 400 miles on it and plan to change the fluid at 1000 to BG. I have anarchy making me a nice knob and I just replaced the clutch spring with Steeda's.

Any pointers?

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[daltron]

Changing the fluid will help immensely, as will changing the shifter if you decide to go that route. It is recommended to push the pedal all the way down. While the "engagement point" is before that, simply pushing it to that point doesn't get a completely clean separation. Think of slipping the clutch, how it is a progression of moving the clutch and isn't an on/off switch.

Welcome to the manual club, too! My brother and I both learned how to drive stick starting with driving our S550's off the lot!

 

[Earlsays]

You don't really need to push it all the way to the floor - you will get the hang of things...replace that shifter with an MGW, and you'll be all set

 

[Coconut]

It's not necessary to push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, but it's good practice to. Personally, I push it all the way everytime. Yea, the tranny is pretty notchy. It'll get slightly better after 2k miles but not by much. Swapping the fluid to BG should make a huge improvement, but you void your tranny warrant if you do that.

 

[jasonstang]

Nope. As long as the clutch is disengaged, you are good.

 

[Gnfanatic]

You don't really need to push it all the way to the floor - you will get the hang of things...replace that shifter with an MGW, and you'll be all set

That will be the next step if fluid doesnt fix it

 

[Gnfanatic]

It's not necessary to push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, but it's good practice to. Personally, I push it all the way everytime. Yea, the tranny is pretty notchy. It'll get slightly better after 2k miles but not by much. Swapping the fluid to BG should make a huge improvement, but you void your tranny warrant if you do that.

BG fluid is not recommended by Ford?? How is warranty lost on tranny from fluid??

 

[FranzVonHoffer]

The biggest thing to remember about driving a manual is "DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH".. It's either in or out. You can slip it a little getting started but once you moving let it out. Also if it ever doesn't want to go in gear, pull the shifter in neutral, let the clutch completely out then back in and try the gear again. Don't force it.

 

[Bartly]

BG fluid is not recommended by Ford?? How is warranty lost on tranny from fluid??

Fill it up with cool-aid and Ford will explain why it needs the correct fluid.

 

[VinnAY]

Good advice, all of it (lol)...just don't run to the forum with every little sound and notchy shift, recognize when something is broken and needs attention versus being on the forum incessantly complaining about this noise and that noise like some many others do.

 

[Gnfanatic]

Good advice, all of it (lol)...just don't run to the forum with every little sound and notchy shift, recognize when something is broken and needs attention versus being on the forum incessantly complaining about this noise and that noise like some many others do.

Certain noises gives the car character, I dont mind them. I sure dont want to hear my dash creak or a thump somewhere in the sus

 

[mustang1]

OK guys, I am 39 years old and got my first Mustang GT and it is my first manual (finally). I am used to fast cars (I have a 10sec GN) but they were all autos. MY question to you guys, do I have to put the clutch all the way to the floor when changing gears?? Seems like a lot of pedal travel to me. Also, the shifter is very notchy. I know my in-experience doesn't help and it will get better. The car has 400 miles on it and plan to change the fluid at 1000 to BG. I have anarchy making me a nice knob and I just replaced the clutch spring with Steeda's.

Any pointers?

I'd push the peddle all the way. If clutch engages at the 1/2 way point and you guess and push the peddle 2/3 of the way, are you gaining much ?

Slow down shifts until they are smooth. A clunk usually means technique needs improvement. The synchronizer can take a bit of time to work depending on your engine RPM and speed and temps.

 

[moffetts]

Be patient. It will take you a while to get good at it, and until you are, the car is probably not the problem.

 

[jvandy50]

The car will feel completely different with BG, MGW, and that steeda spring. I see a lot of complaints, but I actually like this transmission with all the mods above. It's certainly more accurate than my T-5s and wayyyyy less notchy than my tremec 3650

 

[Draklia]

Be patient. It will take you a while to get good at it, and until you are, the car is probably not the problem.

X2, took me a bit (month or two) to get used to it even though most of my other vehicles have been manuals (although all have been trucks).

X2 on the Steeda spring, made it better for me.

X2 on gets twice as nice when it's all warmed up.

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