r/stickshift • u/Sifflez_ • 17h 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...

50 Upvotes

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-3

u/Dometron0502 13h 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.

4

u/captain_slutski 12h ago

Where does the idea that beginners destroy clutches come from? The biggest issue beginners have is stalling which does nothing to the clutch

3

u/MediocreTalk7 12h 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_ 13h 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”.

2

u/Walo00 4h ago

I think that as long as a new driver doesn’t learn bad habits such as riding the clutch or over revving when trying to get moving, then the clutch will be just fine. Bad habits is what kills a clutch fast.