Fit Manual Drivers,

Before I put $ down on a Fit 5 speed, I want to make sure I get the best driving experience out of using a clutch.

Reason being, I recently went for a test drive and was told by the salesman that because I was taking my right foot completely off the gas pedal at the same time I was putting my left foot down for the clutch, that there was a bit of a lunge forward motion in the car after I'd shifted and then given the car some gas.

The guy told me to keep my right foot on the gas UNTIL my left foot entirely engaged the clutch. I suppose I have no reason not to believe him, but this made me consider what else I might be doing wrong as I drive a 5 speed. And so here is a question for the gear heads, what are the very top tips for shifting, engaging the clutch, putting the clutch into gear, taking off the clutch, giving the Fit gas, etc.?

Thanks,
CARGIRL

 

i'll have to study exactly what i do when i drive my fit home from work today. some people have had to take some time learning how to shift the manual transmission on the fit. i had no issues at all. it shifts smooth as silk for me. i will post again later today after i drive home to give details of my footwork while driving my fit.

p.s. - coming from a GC subaru impreza RS, anything would shift more smoothly. that car drove so well, but the shifter took some practice to get down perfectly.

 

i think you were just doing it wrong.


your suppose to easy off one and ease on the gas.


so like a teeter toter motion sorta.

i know i dont do it like that i guess, but thats how i first learned heh.


but actually yeah its like a teeter toter.heh

 

I found that I shift more smoothly by letting go of the gas a half second earlier than I normally would when I shift. Every car before this had cable-controlled throttle, not computer-controlled. I notice a slight delay in pedal response. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take an older civic 5spd for a test drive, then go try out a Nissan Versa. Worse delay I've ever noticed in throttle response. Just my 2¢

 

lunging forward as you are releasing the clutch and giving it some gas?
i would say ease up on the gas and also try feathering the clutch out a little bit easier/slower. That should smooth things out.
When i first drove the fit, i was having problems with it still revving when i was releasing the gas and engaging the clutch. But like kmdebit said, just the release of the gas pedal a fraction of a second earlier solves that problem. Hope this helps

 

Coming from driving a Saab 900 with a cable clutch and cable throttle, I'm finding the same thing to be true. The clutch can be a little tricky to release smoothly at certain RPMs in my car. If you let it rev, it's always fine though...

 

Every manual car is a little different. Don't worry about it. If you have successfully driven a manual before, you will automatically adjust as you drive it and get used to it, so that the shifting is smooth: no lurching, no engine racing.

 

i paid closer attention to my footwork on my way home from work. it's just second nature to me now, so i couldn't really say without paying attention. what i do is; ease off the accelerator as i push in the clutch at the same time. shift to second gear and feather the clutch just a little bit as i ease on the accelerator. for 3rd-5th gear, no feathering of the clutch is needed for smooth shifting.
every car is a little different, but generally the same. just drive it for a bit and you'll be driving like it's an extension of your body.

 

like a side ways teeter toter.

 

confused about the terminology used on the OP, but here it is:

clutch in = press clutch pedal all the way to floor
clutch out = release clutch pedal

when you shift, roll off throttle, clutch in, shift lever, give slight throttle,
and clutch out gently to engage the next gear. that's there's all to it.

just practice and it will be seamless smooth. there should be no clutch
slip other than from standstill into 1st gear.

 

I don't own a fit but work at a honda dealer and I find it's more the cars with the E-throttle that are weird to drive. There's a real disconnected feeling and there isn't the same sensitivity. It kinda ruined the new Si for me and I actually like the feel of the fit better. I wouldn't say I ever had a problem shifting them but it takes a little getting used to, the timing is a little different.

 

to get you some idea on how to start looking into driving a manual, look on youtube and search for how to drive manual or do a similar search there a good bit of videos on there some are for fun and some are serious and can teach you what you need to know, good luck

 

I havne't driven enough stick shifts to compare, but most people say the fit is one of the best cars to drive stick shift in.

Read these. They'll definintely boost your confidence in getting the stick.
Long-Term Road Tests - 2007 Honda Fit Sport: Supple Shifter
Long-Term Road Tests - 2007 Honda Fit Sport -- The Most Forgiving Manual
Long-Term Road Tests - 2007 Honda Fit Sport: Easy Driver

 

I will say that having test driven the 2008 Fit, I, for some reason, drive it better than any of the other Hondas I've test driven so far, even though I am no pro at shifting. I was originally thinking I'd like to go with a Civic, but the Fit had such a great feel- way more fun - so much so that I hope they don't mess up the manual shift or the way the car feels on the 2009s.

CARGIRL

 

One thing that makes the Fit different than other manual transmission cars is the drive by wire and it's programming.

The Fit is programmed to stay on the throttle a split second longer than your foot. So once you step off the gas, the computer keeps the gas on a split second longer, and this can mess up your flow and cause a jerk when you get back on the gas. I step off the gas a split second earlier than I kick in the clutch and then shift, makes the rev change smoother.

Two more things, because the gears are so short, it requires more clutch in 2nd gear than other cars I have driven. On top of the fact that the gas pedal is so sensitive that it only needs a very soft touch on the pedal
to get the gas you need for a smooth change.