Experienced manual drivers please step in..

[Gnfanatic]

Hey guys, first manual car for me (2017 GTPP) and have 600 miles so far. I am getting better at driving and will enjoy it immensly BUT I am very nervous about two things....

1-) getting stuck in traffic on a steep hill. I am scared to hell of rolling back and hitting someone that is to close to me. Hill assist doesn't do jack IMO and yes it is enabled. What is the best way to control the car on a very steep hill when you will literally be there for a solid 10 min crawling a few feet and stopping?

2-) Is this shifter unrefined and notchy or is it me?? I have not broken the trans in yet so I cant change the fluid yet. I did the trans mount insert and Boomba shifter mount is in the mail. There are times I miss 3 and go into 1. Or miss 3 and go into 5 :( It feels rough I am scared shitless of missing a gear on the highway and possibly locking up the wheels??


thank you for your comments and help!

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[kz]

1. Hill assist works but I turned it off since it was annoying. If you feel uncomfortable, use classic method with parking brake - pull it up, let brake pedal go, add gas / release clutch and when front starts lifting up, release parking brake. Pretty fool proof and safe, every manual trans driver should know it. In some countries, is required during driving test.

 

[TWPrice]

1. The vehicle has hill start assist that will lock the brakes closed on an incline so you shouldn't have to worry.

2. It's not just you, the shifter is terrible in these vehicles. Look into the BG synchroshift fluid swap, that helps smooth it out a bit.

 

[DANA44]

1. Hill assist works but I turned it off since it was annoying. If you feel uncomfortable, use classic method with parking brake - pull it up, let brake pedal go, add gas / release clutch and when front starts lifting up, release parking brake. Pretty fool proof and safe, every manual trans driver should know it. In some countries, is required during driving test.

Great advise I 'll add don't over think it. Just go through the motion and you'll be fine.

 

[Gnfanatic]

Thanks guys. On my parents steep driveway the car rolls back. Does not give me anytime at all. I thought it is a 3 second assist?? Hill assist is checked on the info center.

 

[Gnfanatic]

Great advise I 'll add don't over think it. Just go through the motion and you'll be fine.

I agree, just do not want to cause and accident with my rear bumper and look like an ass

 

[kz]

Thanks guys. On my parents steep driveway the car rolls back. Does not give me anytime at all. I thought it is a 3 second assist?? Hill assist is checked on the info center.

Just practice method with parking brake - especially that you have safe place to do it.
It is literally manual hill assist ;)

 

[Kong76]

This MT 82 is a very notchy, noisy, vibrational tranny. What I have learned is each gear has its sweet spot for smoother shifts and it has to do with the rpms. For me second to third has to be under 2500 or above 3500 or i get a partial block.

Also don't muscle the shifts. I use my fingertips to pull down into second and an open palm fingers up from second to third letting the centering spring align the shifter and I just guide it up into third. I use the same method first to second for third to fourth. Only time I have to take more control is fourth to fifth and a side palm push away from body and down for fifth to sixth. 12,000 miles and this car drives different every day.

 

[Jim Bronson]

1. My hill assist works fine. I've never had a problem, but you only get about three seconds from brake to throttle and to engage the clutch before it will begin to drift back. Maybe it takes more practice.

2. Sounds like you need stronger centering springs in the shifter. Pretty much any aftermarket shifter is worlds above the stock one.

 

[Burkey]

Practice with the handbrake. Even do it on flat ground if you have to. As stated earlier, you'll feel the "take up point" of the clutch, once you're there, handbrake off and go. Takes practice, but it's not difficult. Familiarity is the key.
You'll get used to the gate widths over time. The box will virtually guide you to where you need to be if you pay attention to it. I've driven virtually nothing but manuals for 20+ years, but the shorter gate widths had me going 2nd - 5th frequently when I test drove. I wasn't expecting the gates to be so close.
You WILL improve over time. :cheers:

 

[JuRuKi]

My mustang was my first MT car and I never had a problem with Hill Assist. Are you sure yours is working properly? I can release the brake forr a couple seconds before my car starts rolling back, even on steep inclines.

 

[Mustang_Lou]

I've noticed the Hill Assist works only under certain conditions and I can't tell you what they exactly are but it has something to do with when you put the car into gear and/or when the clutch is depressed and/or if you just hit the brakes or not or ??.

Like I said I haven't figured out the combo where it does NOT work yet but I have had it work and not at times.

Come to think about it ... it may be the 3 sec rule - is that from time of clutch depression?

 

[AlyourPal]

There's really only one way: practice, practice, practice. You may also want to pull your clutch assist spring or replace it with a lighter one. Clutch will still be pretty easy to depress, but gives you a better feel of the engagement.

 

[TexasRebel]

Don't ever use a "handbrake" (parking/emergency brake) for a hill.

While holding the service brake, let the clutch out to the point the engine begins to load, then move your foot to the gas and go. Might not work as easily on a 3-cyl Fiesta, but this method works for anything with more than 100 HP.

Hill assist works a little too well in these cars if you have any previous experience with 3-pedals. I didn't realize it was enabled from the factory and stalled against the brakes at the first 3 lights after I bought it (no test drive)... they were all uphill stops.

 

[jasonstang]

Hill start give enough gas and slip the clutch a bit more before fully releasing so you don't stall.

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