Does anyone have any advice on driving the 6 speed CL-S. I know basic stick principals, but are there any quirks to the clutch/shifter action? Anything I should make sure I do/don't do?

 

clutch is pretty sensitive in 1st and second gears, and has a very small amount of space in which it engages. It takes a little getting used to, but is tons of fun to drive.

 

Minch, did you trade your truck in?

Remember that you can ride the clutch out for a mile, not the best thing for it, but you can do it nice and slowly to get used to it. Practice in a parking lot when you first get it, then take a nice long drive on the highway. Within a month I had 3-4k miles on my car, I learned to drive it when I bought it.

 

WOW…. Worst advice ever.
The only thing that will accomplish is glazing the clutch and making it slip like crazy.
And then requiring replacement soon after.
Clutch pedal IN or clutch pedal OUT. That’s where you want it to be most of the time.
The trick is getting from one to the other and still being as smooth as possible.

Sorry to be so harsh, but I wouldn’t want anyone to try that and end up with a 1,500 dollar bill.

 

How can I be as smooth as possible? Do I need to feather the throttle to match revs, or will the flywheel do it for me? What about takeoff/start/etc

 

Yes, you need to rev-match.
Then get your foot off the clutch as soon as you can.
Riding the clutch is one of the most common problems of newbie stick drivers.

Don’t expect to get a lesson on an auto Forum. It’s best being taught by an experienced driver sitting in the passenger’s seat.

Lots of good info here: http://www.standardshift.com/forum/

 

I didn't expect a lesson

I've just read that the clutch and/or shifter on the CL-S can be tricky for a new stick driver, and I was just curious as to in what ways that may have been. Thanks for all the info so far

 

Have you driven one yet? The tricky part is the enagement point. Once you get just past it the pedal will fall to the floor with little to no resistance. This makes it tricky for starting out from a stop because the clutch pedal gives you no feedback until you hit the engagement. I was really really rough learning on the CL-S but after a week I had no problem driving and no stall outs. It's been 3 weeks with the new car and I love it. So much fun to drive. But i'm still learning how to rev match the shifts to make it smooth. It'll take some time.

 

Rookies! LOL JK

 

One other tip is to not shift at too low rpms. I do not shift until at least 3k rpms (higher if I am getting on it) and it seems like that is a good general shift point for everyday driving.

2003 CLS six speed
Icebox

 

Ive driven a manual transmission my whole life. After 3 months of owning my CL, I am still trying to get used to the touchy manual transmission. Expect some rough shifts until you get used to it.

I find that if you give it a little extra gas before letting the clutch up its much easier to get a smooth shift.

 

Just get in and drive it... I've driven sticks for awhile, but it took me at least a couple of days to get used to the engagement of the clutch on the 6spd...

Practice, practice, practice...

 

Fast shifting makes it smoother I noticed. If you shift lazy & slow you'll never get a smooth shift. I can agree that car likes to be shifted at 3k RPM's or more.
For starting out, you just need practice. You will get the engagement point down. It's not really that hard. Your new at stick so you might get real easy.

 

No big deal, I was actually told this by someone just so I could get used to the engagement point of the clutch. I guess it was more or less, once you feel it catching you can still let off slow.

One piece of advice I forgot to tell someone, when shifting, take your foot off the gas, or don't leave it on there redlining the car between shifts. I never heard my CL scream so loud when someone did this recently.

 

I agree with most of them....these cars are VERY touchy when engaging, and if you're not good at driving stick yet, they are extremely easy to stall when you're starting out. I learned to drive stick on a Wrx Sti (yes, LUCKY ME!), and then when I bought my CL, I got in, not realizing how different the clutch would be and I stalled first try. But once you get the hang of it, (it won't take long) you will love it. When I drive the sti, then go back to the CL it's almost a relief, the CL's clutch is like butter in comparison!

Get on a small hill (not a huge one where you'd need the e brake, just one where you'll roll back a little bit), and stop and go to get the hang of it. You'll look like a total weirdo, but it'll be good practice.

Just get the car and drive it, it's really the only way. It's kind of like throwing a little kid in a pool and telling them to learn how to swim...they don't have a choice, if they don't, they'll drown. Same principle. Just drive it, you'll be surprised at how quickly you pick it up.

 

Finally someone hit the nail on the head.

You can't learn how to drive a car by reading words. You have to get in and do it!

And yes, the clutch is a little touchy in the CL-S, but nothing compared to a Clutchmasters Stage IV 4puck racing clutch!

 

If you do a search you'll find a boat load of info about this topic that's been discussed many times in the past.

 

SHould I put it in neutral at complete stops for long periods of time?

 

Try not leave the clutch down in first the entire time if you are in traffic, common stop and go is "ok" but in heavy traffic take your foot of the clutch and leave it in nuetral.

 

Yes, and take your foot off the clutch. Otherwise, it will prematurely wear out your transmission's thowout bearing (or input shaft bearing - or whatever it's called - but I know it's a bearing that wears out if you keep your clutch in while idling).

 

I'd do that. It's a bitch when your in stop & go traffic. 1st or 2nd to 10mph then N, then back into 1st, back to N & so on. Can be a pain. I also try to go into N when I'm coming to a stop instead of downshifting. If I need to gain speed again before I stop, I'd put it back into 2nd or whatever gear from N.