JMunn55
New member
Personally, I would be in 2nd. It'll be alright
Clutch Etiquette Questions
- Thread starter adkinsadam1
- Start date
Personally, I would be in 2nd. It'll be alright
ShooterMcGavin
New member
Two options:
1- Put it in 2nd gear and nurse it along (very little accelerator) until the RPMs reach 1500-2000, when you can accelerate normally.
2- Double-clutch while rev-matching to get it smoothly into 1st gear.
THatfield
New member
I learned to drive a stick in a similar vehicle to a 4Runner. Old beat up Rodeo. I was scared, but eventually, I could float the gears like a pro. Every now and then I miss that old truck.
The main thing is to just drive it. Like others have said, if you're in traffic now, it's all just fine tuning down the road. If the engine is lugging, downshift. Backing up is a challenge, but just feather the clutch going into it and give it enough gas to where you can let out. You might stall a few times, but that's all part of the learning experience.
My advice, find an empty parking lot, and play around with different scenarios. bring some cones or other things you can set up. As for hills, I hated them until I learned once you let off the brake, give it a little more gas than you normally would but let off the clutch just as quick as you would on flat ground. It's one fluid motion, but it takes a second to learn it.
Sounds to me like you are on the right track. Mistakes will only help you learn, so don't be afraid to make a few!
The main thing is to just drive it. Like others have said, if you're in traffic now, it's all just fine tuning down the road. If the engine is lugging, downshift. Backing up is a challenge, but just feather the clutch going into it and give it enough gas to where you can let out. You might stall a few times, but that's all part of the learning experience.
My advice, find an empty parking lot, and play around with different scenarios. bring some cones or other things you can set up. As for hills, I hated them until I learned once you let off the brake, give it a little more gas than you normally would but let off the clutch just as quick as you would on flat ground. It's one fluid motion, but it takes a second to learn it.
Sounds to me like you are on the right track. Mistakes will only help you learn, so don't be afraid to make a few!
white_n_slow
Senior Member
:edit: Also one thing a very experienced toyota mechanic told me: If you rest your hand with a coffee cup in it on the shifter while cruising in 4th gear, you will prematurely wear your transmission internals. It's the perfect spot to rest your hand (with your elbow on the center console, but don't do it! lol
....
Last edited:
whiskey_fish
New member
You kinda look like a jackass backing a vehicle into a 45 degree space in the one way lots around here... serves no purpose really. Also, the 4runner turns so well, it doesn't really need to be backed. I usually do in standard spaces, but it isn't nearly mandatory.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Agree with this, but:
I have driven my 5-speed for 165k over almost 15 years and I have never been unable to get it into first nor I have I felt the need to double clutch in normal driving. I always, regardless of situation, move the lever into second before downshifting into first while letting up on the accelerator. It always goes. Never go directly to first from any position other than second. If going from fourth or fifth I would double clutch but it's rare you should be doing that (panic stop at speed, mainly).
Last edited:
4'running'26
New member
Gosh, I miss driving a 5spd!
The only thing I don't like about my 4runner...
The only thing I don't like about my 4runner...
Grenvilleter
New member
As others said, you will do just fine and be gear jam'in like a pro in no time.
Your biggest challenge will be starting out on a hill without rolling back. As others have mentioned useing the parking brake helps and also trying to run the gas pedal and the brake is perhaps doable. I have never sat behind the wheel of a manual runner.
Something I have learned however was to slowly let your clutch out while holding the brake with your throttle foot. Watch the tach and when the rpms drop to around 400- 500, there is enough pressure on the drivetrain to prevent you from rolling back and you can then remove your foot from the brake and apply throttle and release the clutch fully.
I don't recommend this if you can avoid it but it's a technique that was born out of necessity.
Oh...and one more thing just for reference. On my auto 4runner, with gentle acceleration it will drop into O/D at about 47=50 mph and the rpm's drop to about 1500. Perfect for cruising flat road and maximum gas mileage.
Your biggest challenge will be starting out on a hill without rolling back. As others have mentioned useing the parking brake helps and also trying to run the gas pedal and the brake is perhaps doable. I have never sat behind the wheel of a manual runner.
Something I have learned however was to slowly let your clutch out while holding the brake with your throttle foot. Watch the tach and when the rpms drop to around 400- 500, there is enough pressure on the drivetrain to prevent you from rolling back and you can then remove your foot from the brake and apply throttle and release the clutch fully.
I don't recommend this if you can avoid it but it's a technique that was born out of necessity.
Oh...and one more thing just for reference. On my auto 4runner, with gentle acceleration it will drop into O/D at about 47=50 mph and the rpm's drop to about 1500. Perfect for cruising flat road and maximum gas mileage.
Angle parking is another story!
I usually look like a jackass regardless! :wacko:
flyinbrick
New member
Welcome, save the manuals! Many of your questions you will naturally figure out with practice. In general, anytime you hold down the clutch, you wear down the throw-out bearing. Anytime you slip the clutch, you wear down the clutch disc. All you can do is minimize both and that's what I try to do. When I want to accelerate fast, I always gingerly hook up the clutch (foot all the way out) before gunning it and I've never had to have a clutch replaced so far.
All are OK. What I usually do is keep it in gear as I coast down. If the light turns green before I stop, I downshift (if needed) and gas it. If I come to a stop, I'll put it in neutral or into 1st just before the engine comes to an idle speed. If you put into neutral, you'll always have to put it back in gear. If you downshift, you'll be most ready to power out if you don't stop but this takes the most effort and gets old. I stopped doing this a long time ago.
Yes, let the clutch slip a bit more for now. It just takes practice.
I wouldn't worry about the minimal amount of wear going in reverse. Safety is priority. Having said that, what you can do is ride the clutch a bit, then disengage and let it coast with your foot on the brake.
This is a subject in itself and is best if you google the explanation and how to do this. Most people don't do this. I always do (heel/toe includes braking), partially out of habit, partially to save on synchronizer wear, partially cuz its fun. To answer your question, you rev with clutch in or in neutral (double clutch).
The transmission doesn't care what RPM you're in, just what torque you're giving it. As for the engine, I don't know whether "lugging" it with your foot down is better/worse than high rpm wear. I drive probably in the 2k to 3k rpm range normally.
All are OK. What I usually do is keep it in gear as I coast down. If the light turns green before I stop, I downshift (if needed) and gas it. If I come to a stop, I'll put it in neutral or into 1st just before the engine comes to an idle speed. If you put into neutral, you'll always have to put it back in gear. If you downshift, you'll be most ready to power out if you don't stop but this takes the most effort and gets old. I stopped doing this a long time ago.
Yes, let the clutch slip a bit more for now. It just takes practice.
I wouldn't worry about the minimal amount of wear going in reverse. Safety is priority. Having said that, what you can do is ride the clutch a bit, then disengage and let it coast with your foot on the brake.
This is a subject in itself and is best if you google the explanation and how to do this. Most people don't do this. I always do (heel/toe includes braking), partially out of habit, partially to save on synchronizer wear, partially cuz its fun. To answer your question, you rev with clutch in or in neutral (double clutch).
The transmission doesn't care what RPM you're in, just what torque you're giving it. As for the engine, I don't know whether "lugging" it with your foot down is better/worse than high rpm wear. I drive probably in the 2k to 3k rpm range normally.
