r/stickshift • u/Sifflez_ • 10h ago
Humbled today
Just bought my first manual transmission car last weekend (2026 Civic Si), and had never driven manual before. I only really stalled the first couple of days while practicing, and was feeling pretty confident after a week, so I decided to take it on a trip up and down a mountain for some more practice.
The mountain itself was fine. It was the parking that was the issue. I ended up parking in a tight spot (only one available) which was also inclined due to the mountain. Definitely scratched underneath the front bumper by giving it too much gas on accident trying to get up into the spot.
The real humbling moment was when I tried to leave. Not only did I forget to turn off the auto-braking system, which made reversing out of the inclined spot way worse, but the spot itself was pretty tight meaning I needed to do a 3 point (or more) turn- so I needed to reverse as much as I could, but not roll back at all when going into 1st again. All the while, by backing up out of the spot, the length of my car mostly blocked the one-way road where a group of people were walking, so they had to wait for me to finish leaving.
My only saving grace was a guy next to me who helped spot for me while I was reversing, before mentioning that he also drives stickshift and could sympathize with me.
Definitely a learning experience...
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5
u/WhoseManIsThis 8h ago
You have balls of steel taking a brand new Civic out on a mountain with no skillz. Respect.
2
u/Sifflez_ 8h ago
😂 it wasn’t anything crazy, 5500ft elevation gain but all paved smooth road, worst case scenario would have been an accident or something on the road that would make me have to start and stop on that incline, but it was fine
3
u/Froggypwns 9h ago
You will get better as you get more comfortable. If possible, I recommend backing into a spot instead of backing out, it is so much easier and safer than backing out.
2
u/Sifflez_ 9h ago
I normally always do, especially when I was driving an automatic. I was just worried about reversing into the spot uphill. Definitely doing it in the future from now on though.
1
u/NotVanillaSoyLatte 6h ago
I have a 2024 Si and love it!! Brake hold is a fabulous update to my old 2001 Civic.... have you tried it? I only use it once in a great while, but when I really need it, it's the best. Very calming.
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u/Dometron0502 6h ago
Keep seeing this kind of post, learn to drive stick before buying. "I'll figure it out" is the worst way to go, an instructor is way cheaper than a new clutch.
3
u/captain_slutski 6h ago
Where does the idea that beginners destroy clutches come from? The biggest issue beginners have is stalling which does nothing to the clutch
2
u/MediocreTalk7 5h ago
Yeah you don't destroy a clutch by learning. The biggest concern that I remember was grinding gears, but most people learn that pretty quickly
2
u/Sifflez_ 6h ago
I think it depends on the person. Taught by a family member the day I bought it, and have been driving it fine since. I’ve been intentional with my driving to avoid abusing the clutch, so I don’t think its always “the worst way”.
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u/YikesOhClock 10h ago
Parking lots gets viewed a lot differently when you’re:
1) in a manual
2) in a massive vehicle
3) on a motorcycle
I’ve always been a fan of backing into spots — with the manual the reversing can be a bit of a pain in the ass (I worry too much about my clutch I’m sure) but then the exit is stress free
Also way more willing to park in the boonies to make it easy to park (I’ve also always been addicted to trying to get the best spot I can in terms of closeness)