Few Q's

[FIFAChamp]

I am new to the legacy, I just bought my first one (well my dad did) he bought a 1999 legacy L sedan and had it waiting for me when i got back from spain last week. The thing is, i don't know jack about driving a stick and of course my dad buys me one and goes on vacation before he can really teach me how to drive it. At what RPM do u guys usually shift? Can you take the car out of gear without the clutch in? Why does it sound like an electric car when you back it up reverse? I know i sound like a retard but w/e, I may have a few more Q's as the weeksdays go on, thank you

[scottzg]

shifting below 3k is best for gas, i run it a little higher to pass and whatnot.

You can pull it out of gear without touching the clutch, just dont try to put it back in gear!

the gears are cut to turn one way, running them backwards creates that noise.

have fun!

[SHOfast]

Its a little difficult to give a crash course in stick shift over the net....

Generally shift when you feel comfortable, a few 100 rpm doesnt make a difference. You do not want to lug the engine. That is when the rpm are so low that the engine struggles to keep running or adding throttle produces no result. If you can shift into another gear and the engine will not lug, you will get better fuel economy if you do.

Always use your clutch when you are going into or out of gear. While you can shift without the clutch it takes more practice and doesn;t really serve a purpose for general driving.

Reverse gear is cut square, not like the other gears, when it is used it makes that winding noise, other gears are not cut square. Its normal, most cars do it.

[Wiscon_Mark]

With subarus, they tend to "stutter" a little bit (at least to people new to them) when you're operating at low RPMs...I'd say, to get used to the clutch and engine/tranny combo, run her up to 3500 rpms before every shift (loosely, focus on the road, not the tach) and get used to the car, then bring it down for daily driving. You can get away with shifting at 2500 rpms once you get smooth. It sounds like you have the clutch down pat (getting started, at least). Just remember, it might be hard at first, but it's like riding a bicycle...

[pdawg]

One more tip. Keep your foot off the clutch when your not shifting. This will cause your clutch to wear out prematurely. Otherwise all the info above is very good. Once you learn how to drive a clutch you can drive anything.

Have fun.

[Wiscon_Mark]

good tip. If you are riding the clutch, it's not making full contact, and then it'll burn up.

[2.5GT]

oh i wish i had a manual.

but my ol auto shifts like a manual :lol: lol

[Plays_with_Toys]

Good practice for starting with a clutch is this:

Find a level street. Clutch in, first gear. Let it out super slow (looking where you want to drive, vision is important in driving. If you look down at the tach you will stall it so much more often). Ok, so you're letting it out slow, as soon as the engine bogs down and the car shakes stick the clutch in and stop the car (if it has started moving). Repeat this 10-20 times. Now its time to get it moving. Let the clutch out slow, when you feel it grab and the car starts shaking let it out even slower. This'll get the car rolling. Alot of people who "know" how to drive stick have trouble starting without giving it gas. Anyway. Practice starting like this another 10-20 times. Once you get a feel for the friction point (where the engine starts to push the car) your starts will be wayyy smoother. You can give it a little gas, but remember, letting the clutch out will still bog the motor, so don't just drop it, because it'll just stall the motor.

This is the condensed version of how we teach clutch lessons at my work.

Also, its hard to get it out of gear without using the clutch. If you blip the gas then let off all the way, it'll load up and then release the stress in the transmission and you can pop it out of gear. This was the only way I could shift from 4WD to 2WD on my Toyota pickup, and was the technique specified in the owners manual, so I imagine its not doing damage.

[Superu264]

I have a simple solution to your problem:

You take my 4EAT and I'll take that pesky 99 MT off your hands. :D

[tjpete04]

haha i'll think about it, i've always wanted to get rid of my 97 mt AWD for a auto FWD

[Reason]

Put it in first, rev the shit out of it and slide your clutch foot to the left :twisted: j/k don't do that :shock:

[Wiscon_Mark]

Put it in first, rev the crap out of it and slide your clutch foot to the left :twisted: j/k don't do that :shock:

No, this method is great.





















If your idea of great is ruining your clutch, and possibly your tranny. ;)

PWT's method is the best, it's how my dad taught me. I'm very proud that I can start the car in 4th gear :D (hard on the clutch, don't do it repeatedly :shock: )

[SHOfast]

Put it in first, rev the crap out of it and slide your clutch foot to the left :twisted: j/k don't do that :shock:

Thats just about what I do to get a burnout started, But not in an AWD car.

I like to come up on the clutch just a bit, so all the gears are in contact and drivetrain slop is taken up. Then just move that foot to the left.

For normal driving I tend to drive regular.