I seem to have developed a seemingly bad habit in regards for handling the clutch. Whenever I release the clutch, I use my ankle to make every aspect of the ride as smooth as possible, thinking that smoothness was the best way to increase my skill and technique to get the hang of my car. But someone commented on my driving saying that I should use my leg, and I've researched about the topic and learned that leg movement was the proper technique. However when I try using my leg, I have no control and the car just jerks like crazy. Should I change my habit? Should I use whatever works for me?

 

muscle memory. i use my leg.

 

Use what works for you.

 

Best thing to do is rev it up the redline then drop the clutch.

 

OP those two members that posted under you are women. They take VERY good care of their cars and they actually know how to drive a MT. NJ2PA2NC has more than 159K+ miles on her car. Original clutch. TLtrigirl keeps her car lookin spiffy AND she also drives MT TL. They give sound advice.

I use my leg because that's what I've done natural whenever I get a chance to drive a manual, but using the movement of your ankle works for you, I say go for it.

 

the Acura Clutch is pretty hard to master.
I came from American cars that always had a full travel in the clutch, which means I would use my full leg to depress the clutch.

HOWEVER, in the Acura, the engagement point is SO LOW, that I had to adapt my driving style to fit the car.
instead of using the full leg travel, I pivot my foot at the ankle to get smooth shifts.

 

Actually I use my left foot. Personally I had no problems using the clutch in my tsx. The clutch is our 11 sonata was harder to adjust to.

 

From what I've read it's the TL's clutch that's harder to master.

 

yes, but could apply here. as I use my ankles to pivot instead of a whole leg dance.

I had to adapt to the car and change my driving style.

 

Had no problem when I test drove a MT tls

 

the TLs clutch wasn't too bad to master. now my old civic HB...different story. the other manual tranny cars i've driven...i've used my leg (probably b/c this is just what comes natural to me), the clutch in these other cars was very apparent in it's grab at the engagement point. the TL takes a little getting used to, plus the clutch pedal is soft to press down. other cars required a lot more effort. my brother hates driving my TL (of the couple of times he's done so), clutch was too soft and messed up his clutch foot feel when he got back into his EVO. lol. i think you just have to go with what feels natural to you for the given car.

 

I only use my big toe

 

I use whatever is necessary.

lol just use what works for you.

 

yeah, after driving my cu2 for over a month, I forgot what other cars feel like. the s13 i learned on many years back had a heavier clutch. And recently driving my gf's wrx, the clutch on that was pretty heavy too, so you have to use your whole leg or else one's ankle would get tired easily. But with a luxury like this, the clutch is super soft and buttery, so using the whole leg, I feel, is a bit awkward because there's such little tension. lol, stupid internet articles and friends tryna teach me how to live my life... lol. so all in all, it really is dependent on the car, or so i think.. >.>

 

That is true. So if your ankle works for you, keep doing it. Everyone here gave sound advice.

 

The problem with out manual transmissions is the incessant and terrible rev hang that I think makes shifting gears more difficult. All the K-Series succumb to this issue so its not new but it makes mastering smooth shifting difficult especially for someone new to manual transmissions.

Personally its leg for me as well, and as stated earlier, muscle memory. You'll get used to it.

 

Use whatever is more comfortable for u, the rev hang in these cars can be annoying but I've mastered it already with only having the car a few weeks, clutch pedal is super soft compared to my old RSX and Civic

 

I've never driven a 2G TSX manual, but have owned and driven a number of Honda/Acuras with manual transmissions. I personally engage the clutch with my leg, and am actually impressed that you can do it with just your ankle. Are you allowing the clutch pedal to fully depress? Best practice is to engage the clutch only when you need to, minimizing the amount of wear on the release bearings, etc... and to a further extent, take your foot off the clutch pedal whenever you aren't shifting (that's what the dead pedal is for).

That being said, do whatever is most comfortable and effective for you.

 

Ankle, leg, it doesnt matter. Just dont ever wear flip flops while driving.

 

I kick the clutch in using my whole leg, and then use my ankle when the clutch is right about at it's catch point, just so I can balance things out and make sure the ride is super smooth. Then when the finer details are done, I put my whole leg up to ensure it's fully out. All of this in a somewhat quick motion so I'm not riding the clutch. haha