Newbie question about accelerating from traffic lights

[moyabrit]

Sorry in advance if this isn't the place for new driver questions, and mods please move or delete as you see fit.

I passed my test two years ago, and spent most of the time since driving an automatic. Now switched to a manual car, and got used to everything except accelerating from a stop. I'm probably doing it wrong somehow, but I can't seem to take off very fast.

If I move off smoothly, I get the impression I'm holding up traffic. Whatever is in the next lane will roar away, even other small cars. But if I give it more gas, I get a lot of engine noise and not much more speed. My old automatic wasn't exactly F1 either but I'm sure it did better. It had a bigger engine though.

I live near work and ride a (pedal) bike, so I've never been a daily driver, and probably I just need more practice, but anybody fancy a guess what I'm doing wrong?

Or is this just what happens with a small engine? 1.2 petrol. The car is 4 years old and had no problems at its last service.

[jacckk]

Are you using the accelerator at the same time as lifting the clutch?

[aka_kerrly]

Noise but no motion does suggest your clutch has a high biting point or you are slipping it.

First off you need to establish where the biting point is on the clutch pedal relative to the top>bottom of it's travel and get used to finding it. Then worry about doing that whilst applying the accelerator.

[moyabrit]

Yes. So I should let the clutch up more before I touch the gas?

[Triumph Man]

Build the revs to 4500 rpm, then sidestep the clutch. You'll get that 1.2 econobox off the line like a rocket

[moyabrit]

Thanks, that makes sense. I must have been overcompensating from the first few weeks when I stalled constantly.

aka_kerrly said:

Noise but no motion does suggest your clutch has a high biting point or you are slipping it.

First off you need to establish where the biting point is on the clutch pedal relative to the top>bottom of it's travel and get used to finding it. Then worry about doing that whilst applying the accelerator.

[lockup]

Ever stalled it? What you want to do is halfway between what you're doing and stalling it.

[Vipers]

moyabrit said:

If I move off smoothly, I get the impression I'm holding up traffic.

Least of your worries, just do your best.

But at least you consider others on the road.

[lockup]

Ever stalled it? What you want to do is halfway between what you're doing and stalling it.

[MX7]

It's possible that your clutch is screwed.

[Davie]

4500rpm, handbrake held up with your thumb on the buttom, clutch up to the bite point / the point where the rear just dips and no more. Soon as you see green, clutch out, throttle smashed into the bulkhead, drop the handbrake, control the wheel spin (?) with slight feathering of the throttle and get ready for the redline then kick the clutch, bang it into second then hard on the throttle again. Should be doing about 14 to 15mph by now...

Alternatively, perfect excuse for a GTR with launch control?

[Rouleur]

Watch all of the Fast and Furious films, then do what they do paying particular attention to the speed of your gear changes. Then you'll be a real driver and the chicks will want to hang wit' ya. Or the boys, we're an inclusive group here.

Welcome aboard.

[Allanv]

I know it sounds a daft question but you did take your test in a manual? I read your post slightly different in my vivid imagination.

But ignore the floor it advice until you get more used to it

[RobM77]

The fastest starts to record 0-60 times etc are done with revs, clutch slip and wheel spin. However, you can get jolly close by doing a 'granny start', and what's more, whilst about 0.00005% of drivers can do the fastest starts well, anyone can do a granny start. Just pull away gently, and then when the clutch is fully engaged give it as much throttle as it'll take. Even my 400bhp/tonne 2-Eleven can handle full throttle after a granny start... Problem solved.

[jmorgan]

I just move off at whatever speed I feel comfortable with. Let the others zoom away. You will probably meet them at the next set of lights anyway.

[CB125T]

Go to a supermarket car park on a Sunday evening (when it will be deserted, loads of space) and just keep practising coming to a stop, then moving off soon after until you feel you've perfected it

[seeby]

Davie said:

4500rpm, handbrake held up with your thumb on the buttom, clutch up to the bite point / the point where the rear just dips and no more. Soon as you see green, clutch out, throttle smashed into the bulkhead, drop the handbrake, control the wheel spin (?) with slight feathering of the throttle and get ready for the redline then kick the clutch, bang it into second then hard on the throttle again. Should be doing about 14 to 15mph by now...

Alternatively, perfect excuse for a GTR with launch control?

[Vipers]

Why did you change from auto back to manual?

I would never go back to a manual, been auto for about 15 years now.

[tehguy]

Hold the accelerator to the floor and dump the clutch. You should get away fast enough not to hold anyone up.

[jamieduff1981]

RobM77 said:

The fastest starts to record 0-60 times etc are done with revs, clutch slip and wheel spin. However, you can get jolly close by doing a 'granny start', and what's more, whilst about 0.00005% of drivers can do the fastest starts well, anyone can do a granny start. Just pull away gently, and then when the clutch is fully engaged give it as much throttle as it'll take. Even my 400bhp/tonne 2-Eleven can handle full throttle after a granny start... Problem solved.

I always granny start, but then I've personally changed every clutch I've ever screwed, and the clutch in my current car costs around £500 just for the drive plates so I'll just keep fully clutching it before gunning the throttle

To the OP - I agree with the others. Have a feel and see whether your clutch bites in the last little bit of pedal travel before you lift your foot off it (as opposed to biting down near the floor) and if it does, you need a new clutch. If it doesn't you just need to find a quiet place to practise.

I wouldn't worry too much about losing at the traffic light races though. If other people feel like you're holding them up then tough luck really. Some times we get held up - it's just part of driving on public roads and people need to show a bit of patience.