first time 5-speed driver

[Ji Money]

So, after years of driving auto, I finally bought the 5-speed 318ti and I took it out for a spin tonight. Man, I heard a real nasty grind when I was slowing down and I think that's because I almost put it in reverse instead of first. I stalled twice at a single stoplight, and honestly, I don't like it... Anyway, It seems like second gear is kinda loud and feels like it is grinding on something compared to gear three. I don't know if that's because I'm supposed shift to third already but second gear sound real loud and feels harsh as soon as I go there.

Can you guys give me some tips? Is second gear supposed to sound different than third? Second gear sounds like its working harder or that something isn't spinning smoothly. I wonder if I'm shifting to fourth by mistake.

[1996 328ti]

Well, no gears should sound louder than the others.
If you are grinding gears you may not have the clutch in all the way.

Practice shifting with the car not running.
Cup the shift lever with you hand when on the left side when up shifting.
Be gentle. Treat the shift lever like it's an egg. Gentle.

[Ji Money]

I wonder what is up with second gear. I'll have to practice shifting with it not running. Like an egg. I was kinda rough with it when it made that loud grinding noise. I hope it isn't major damage.

Thanks

[pnosker]

I don't downshift while slowing down (it's arguable, but it wears out the clutch more with more shifts). I suggest you don't do it if you're prone to accidentally putting it in the wrong gear. Does second sound louder because the motor is revving higher? Good luck learning, it took me a good hour or two to get stick down well enough to drive without stalling, and still I sometimes stall when my music's up and can't hear the motor running.

[Den]

I don't kow whether to laugh or cry.

Originally Posted by Ji Money

Man, I heard a real nasty grind when I was slowing down and I think that's because I almost put it in reverse instead of first.

If you were downshifting into 1st, you were probably coming to a stop. You don't need to downshift for stopping, just take it out of gear and stop with your brakes. If you were not coming to a stop, you also did not need 1st because 2nd will do if the car is still moving, unless you are going up a hill. Having a copilot who could coach you would be extremely helpful.

[1996 328ti]

I don't think I ever downshift into 1st unless I am crawling real slow in traffic.

[pdxmotorhead]

On the side ,, ZF and Getrag gear boxes do not take kindly to being beat on, shift deliberately and take your time, youll speed up with practice. NEVER powershift a german tranny it will reward you with small metal bits being scattered around the insides of the tranny, eating up other parts...

Dave

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by pnosker

I don't downshift while slowing down (it's arguable, but it wears out the clutch more with more shifts). I suggest you don't do it if you're prone to accidentally putting it in the wrong gear. Does second sound louder because the motor is revving higher? Good luck learning, it took me a good hour or two to get stick down well enough to drive without stalling, and still I sometimes stall when my music's up and can't hear the motor running.

I see. I definately want to preserve my clutch. Second gear just sounds like it is working harder than 1st or 3rd.

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by Den

I don't kow whether to laugh or cry.



If you were downshifting into 1st, you were probably coming to a stop. You don't need to downshift for stopping, just take it out of gear and stop with your brakes. If you were not coming to a stop, you also did not need 1st because 2nd will do if the car is still moving, unless you are going up a hill. Having a copilot who could coach you would be extremely helpful.

Ok, put it in neutral and break. No need to downshift into first. I was reading this web page about learning stick shift and it gave a general guideline about what speeds each gear is meant for so I figured I should put it into first.
http://pages.interlog.com/~css/manualprimer.htm

I'm still hearing that grinding noise in my head. Damn...

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

I don't think I ever downshift into 1st unless I am crawling real slow in traffic.

So crawling is like 5mph to 10mph? Or even slower?

By the way, I was practicing in my garage just now with the car turned off. When the engine is off, do you still have to depress the clutch when changing gears?

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

On the side ,, ZF and Getrag gear boxes do not take kindly to being beat on, shift deliberately and take your time, youll speed up with practice. NEVER powershift a german tranny it will reward you with small metal bits being scattered around the insides of the tranny, eating up other parts...

Dave

Oh man. I can't afford to break anything on this car. That grind, it was so loud. So I went from third to first. Going into reverse takes some effort, but then I was kinda nervous. Oh well.

[pdxmotorhead]

First, just stop downshifting below 3rd until you have more practice driving a manual

My wife had never driven a clutch when we got married,the worst two years of our marriage was when I talked her into an Auto in a car a few years ago, she'd been driving a clutch for 5 years, HATED the auto, I finally had to sell it...

Dave

[1996 328ti]

What could happen is what's called a money shift.
Say going from 4th to 1st. The revs will shoot up and cause damage to your motor. That's why you should hold the shift lever on the side and gently push it into gear. Don't man handle the lever like you are gripping a cue ball.

It's easy to demonstrate than write it down.
What part of Jersey are you?
I'll be up in Paramus this weekend.

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

First, just stop downshifting below 3rd until you have more practice driving a manual

My wife had never driven a clutch when we got married,the worst two years of our marriage was when I talked her into an Auto in a car a few years ago, she'd been driving a clutch for 5 years, HATED the auto, I finally had to sell it...

Dave

Thats too funny. I hope I get the hang of this thing. I was kinda discouraged after the grind and took the car home after about 5 or 10 minutes of driving around he neighborhood.

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

What could happen is what's called a money shift.
Say going from 4th to 1st. The revs will shoot up and cause damage to your motor. That's why you should hold the shift lever on the side and gently push it into gear. Don't man handle the lever like you are gripping a cue ball.

It's easy to demonstrate than write it down.
What part of Jersey are you?
I'll be up in Paramus this weekend.

Oh ****, I live right next to Paramus. In River Edge.

When I downshifted into 1st, I must have been going about 15 miles per hour. Being so used to driving an auto, you never look at the mph when driving until around 35mph. I have no sense of speed from around 30mph and down.