And im trying to get used to the clutch, this is my 1st manual transmission car and after 30min of parking lot practice I was out and about practicing on public streets. After 3 days i've kinda gotten the hang of driving a stick but im still having trouble with the transition in the middle of the release of the clutch. I drove my friends matrix xrs and I was shifting smooth as silk, but im still a bit jerky with the CL. Does anyone have any tips for me? it's kinda frustrating dealing with all the jerking in 1st-2nd. I've come to notice that the clutch is VERY sensitive in this car compared to others that I have drove in the past few days.

I have a few more questions. Im familiar with the noise the ABS module makes when its testing itself when you first start the car but im also concerned with this other noise I hear when I first put the car in the on position before I crank the engine. It's like a grinding noise and only happens when I put the key in the ON position. Anyone else have this? And one more question, when im making a left turn from a stop I hear this clicking comming from the suspension/engine bay area. I checked the CV boots but they look fine, any input is appreciated. Thanks

 

I too have heard this from my car.. its an odd clicking noise... the dealer "didnt" find anything.. but it could premature failure of the axle.... i still have 12months and 12 miles to see if it gets worse or not...

as far as the clutch, my wife has a corolla, and the clutch take up are totally different. You need to feather the cl-s more so then the small 4banger..

 

Yeah see i have had mine for just about 6 months now and i still jerk it every so often. The trick that i have found to work the best is when you put in the clutch when you are shifting gears, wait for the RPM's to start dropping. Since we have a dual mass flywheel, its normal for them to even jump up a few hundred when you put in the clutch. When you are shifting, watch your Tach a few times and you will see what i'm talking about. This is by far the hardest clutch that I have had to get used to in my life and I just turned 21 yesterday.

 

21 huh.. how many manuals have you owned? Its an easy clutch guys, it just takes the "touch" and "care" if you want a silky engagement

 

It's not that easy...

While I love the transmission and the clutch it is by far not the first car I would choose to learn how to drive a manual transmission car. The engagement point is very low and the hydraulic feeling is very odd until you get used to it. There's significant pressure until you begin to reach the engagement point and then the clutch basically falls to the floor. When bringing out the clutch you have to ease it out slowly because of the tricky engagement.

 

Just ride the clutch, lol.

Anyways, you'll get use to it. This is your first time learning how to drive stick, so dont expect for every car to react the same. Once you know how to drive stick, you'll be able to get in any car and drive it smoothly. I wouldnt worry about it too much at this stage in learning. Seems like you're doing just fine...

 

Well, practice makes perfect. Im still wondering what the 2 noises are... does anyone get the grinding noise when they put the car in the ON position? it sounds as if something is engaging..

 

Probably the fuel pump turning on.

 

Hey gc86, where'd you buy the car from? I test drove a few a couple of months ago before I bought a private party CLS6 from some guy in Monterey. I'm in the East Bay, but I checked out 2 silver CLS6s from the Peninsula. How many miles? Mods? Etc.

 

this is my first clutch car.. my cuz drove it.. he owns a prelude year 99 and said it's an easy clutch.

i learned it pretty quickly with no help... i read about how to drive stick online.. yeah lame, but w/e

i got the hang of it after 200 miles.

when u first press it, it's loose as hell, then there's this point where it gets really hard... that's where it catches... right at that point...

 

Well it had 81500 when I bought it, no mods. He used to have TEIN coilovers on it but toke them off. He added the marble trim on the inside and it had black interior.

 

Well... Owned
1.) 91 Jetta 5 speed
2.) 95 Civic
3.) 9x Nissan Sentra (1 week... someone totaled it)
4.) 94 Explorer

Driven
1.) 98 Trans Am
2.) 7x Fiat 126p (look it up its small!)
3.) 98 BMW 3
4.) Ford
5.) Audi
6.) VW Golf's
7.) An old 74 Porsche 911

and some others here and there... All were either amazing or amusing. Every one of them different.

The Acura CLS 6 has been my longest learning experience with the clutch...

 

Was this guy in SF? I think I looked at this car, was he trying to get around $14k for it?

 

I'd love to find some place to get the bowling ball trim for my car (if it's an easy install). Still getting use to my 6-speed. Clutch is a bit touchier then many cars I've driven (even more so then my old '03 Cobra with a stage 4 clutch I think).

 

Nice ride, by the way!

 

ya, the clutch is soft and tricky. after a while you'll get the hang of it

 

He was asking 12500 when I contacted him, but you probably saw the car monthes back when he was asking more. Im kind of understanding why he sold it to me for 12k, the axles need replacing and it needs new brakes all around. And I know it's been modded before, the fog light insert on the right side has a cut though to allow more air to a intake that used to be there, and the suspension has been touched of course, the car sits higher than stock for some reason. Don't think the springs are seated properly. And to top it off the tires we're bald but I work at wheel works so that wasn't a problem.

Thanks but the car in my avatar is my 2002 TL-S that I totaled before I bought this.

 

True... Practice, practice, practice....

Yeah, riding it a bit works too... My dad taught me to "pop" the clutch, but that don't work on this car...

 

Either way, I've seen the car! I offered the guy $13500 when he was asking $14500. Funny he dropped the car by so much! That's a steal IMO

 

True true... ugh hate to admit it but im having second thoughts about a manual transmission, even though im driving the car much much smoother now....

I hope this weird feeling disappears.

 

Don't give up on it yet man. Pretty soon shifting the car will become like second nature and you won't even notice that you're doing it at all. The only time it really sucks is when you're in heavy traffic.

 

^^^^agreed!!!!
Once you get used to the manual, you will not really like the feeling of driving an automatic, well, to say, when you want to have fun, AT just isn't the same. Though if your like me, and sit in traffic for 1.5 - 2 hours a day, you'll see the benefit of the AT(and a MT is still not that bad, but engaging the clutch to move ten feet, then let it out again will get old fast).

This is why i bought my AT CL with an extended warranty. If my old car did not get stolen though, i'd still sit in that same traffic w/ the MT, you'll get used to it.

 

^ True, but i somehow dont even seem to mind. The second day that i had my car i had to go to philly. On the way back there was heavy traffic on 676 and riding first was the best way to go.

 

Hey guys im new to posting but have been reading these threads for a week now and this site is GREAT! inspired me to get a black CLs 6spd. but after reading this thread im kinda nervous about my test drive thats coming up this saturday. I dont want to look like a newb if it jerks or sumthin

 

Thanks for all the support guys, i'll just wait it out and keep practicing. Liquid don't worry about the clutch just baby it when shifting and you won't get any jerking plus the person who is selling you the car knows the clutch is touchy and will be ready for the occasional jerk. You'll be fine

 

hey gc, I work an exit south from Monster Park, where in South City are you at?

 

Don't trip guys... Every clutch feels different. I spent last weekend teaching my fiance how to drive stick (no, not in my CLS!) and I know it's frustrating. Before you take off, put the car in first and slowly let the clutch out without gassing it. When you feel the car about to die, you know the point that youre supposed to give it gas. Do this a few times and you definitely won't jerk the car.

GC86, the weird feeling will go away and you'll love this car! Honestly, it's my favorite car all around out of everything I have owned or driven for extended periods of time!

1999 Isuzu Rodeo, 2001 Honda Civic LX, 1991 Mazda Protege', 1970 Mustang Fastback (351C), 1988 Porsche 944, 2003 Toyota Corolla, 1984 Volvo 740GLE (no brainer), 2006 Mustang V6.

I even drove a 2006 G35 6spd for a day and didnt like it as much! (not as comfortable inside)

Hang in there!

 

Yes, this is good advice, it lets you know where the clutch grabs at. This should help you to know when you should start to ease on (or floor ) the gas pedal. I'll also just throw out there that you should be doing this on flat ground, ya know, just in case.

 

Thanks for the advice, how much gas should I give it? what i've been doing all this time is just revving it up to 1.5-2 and than releasing and feathering it when I feel it grab.

Im up by hillside elementary and parkway heights middle school. Off the oyster point exit.

 

Just give it enough gas to get it rolling, if the car is shuddering, give it more. You'll have it down in no time...

 

Well... are you saying I should release the clutch and when it hits the grab point give it gas? Or give it gas THAN release the clutch?

 

Start giving it gas around that point. When you're just practicing, don't even use the gas.

If youre just trying to drive normally, you wont need to rev it higher than 1200rpms or so. If youre trying to launch, you'll want to rev much higher.

I live in the east bay, so if you want, I can help you out sometime. I work in Hayward right on the other side of the San Mateo Bridge. Let me know. Its hard to describe in detail on line.

 

Let me expirement in a parking lot, i've found out that my BIGGEST problem is my right foot, I need to train it to be more sensitive... Brick foot ftl

I'll keep your offer in mind tnobori, i'd hate for you to go out of your way.

 

Cool! But it's no bother, I feel like there aren't many of us around, so I don't mind helping out a fellow CLS 6er!

 

I say we have a 6spd mini meet.

 

well guys i just got back from the test drive. first time in a CL! let alone a 6speed! I'm in love! taking care of the paper work monday, driving back to texas end of wk to pik it up!! The shifts went smooth, u guys had me thinking it was going to be REALLY tough, but i got use to it pretty quik. PS... I CANT WAIT TO OWN THIS CAR!!!

 

Yeah, that sounds like a plan for sure! I have a Monday thru Friday job, how bout you?

 

Well, next week I'll be working Tues through Sat, but if we actually do this meet, I can request pretty much any day off as long as I give advanced notice. What do you think gc86?

Congrats on picking up the 6spd man, you'll definitely love this car.

 

Ok sure! let's have a 6spd meet, im ONLY available thurs-sun any time. Offtopic but what kind of brake setup do you guys have? I need new rotors because they are warped, im thinking about going with the r1 rotor and pad combo.

 

sorry, i cant help you w/ that. I'm still riding the stock set up.