How to use jMock properly?

How to use my clutch properly when driving a standard?

• I have an 84 chevy pickup with stick on the floor. I have practiced for several months, and have replaced my clutch kit once already. I am in the process of looking for a new vehicle and would like to make sure I have not picked up any bad habits that will cost money for a newer car. I am fairly comfortable with upshifting. I can start from 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, and prefer 2nd. I have not figured out how to start by 'popping' my clutch yet. I'm not sure what 'popping' is. I can't downshift. I normally just slip to neutral and use my break. When I try to downshift, it seems as though it takes forever to get to the correct speed to jump down to the next gear, and I end up having to use my break anyway before the stop signs get there. My biggest concerns are when to actually use my clutch. Do I have to use it every time I use my break? I was told that if I applied my break without the clutch, the truck would stall. If I need to slow down, such as if someone jumps in front of me and I have to break quickly, or if the speed limit drops and I must slow down but not shift down, do I use my clutch when I break? What about using my clutch at stop lights? I have been told by some to just hold my clutch at that point right before take off, especially if waiting on a hill. Others have told me to hold the clutch all the way down, while using my break and still others have told me to put in neutral and hold my break. I do this (neutral plus break) on flat roads, but have had trouble with rolling backwards when on a hill when it is time to start again. (that little period of time when you put it back into gear) On hills I normally do the half hold. (Note - my emergency break is on the floor next to my clutch, not a handheld, and is not practical to use on hills unless for parking. It is very difficult to release as the release is under my steering wheel) Last what about turns? When turning off of one street onto another I usually downshift to at least third. I put my foot on the clutch, all the way down, move my shift to 3rd, and then release about midway threw the turn. I do the same thing for S curves. Hold my clutch, change to 3rd, take first curve, Hold clutch, shift to 4th, release in middle of second curve.

• Answer:

  Hi Amy Leigh, My name is Malcolm and i live in Britain and most of our cars are what you call a stick shift, so i am going to explain how to drive a stick shift to you..We must start at the beginning, with the handbrake on and your stick in neutral start the engine [ keep the hand brake on as we are not going anywhere yet ] Dip the clutch put your stick in gear and slowly let the clutch out until you feel the clutch bite, this is called the biting point, you will feel it in your foot and you'll notice a change in engine noise, now say you were on a hill when you feel the clutch bite you give the throttle a bit more rev and as you do so you let the clutch out a little bit more, so as the car wants to go forward as the car is trying to go forward you give it a bit more rev and let the hand brake off and the car will go forward up the hill, [ it takes a little practise but you'll get there ] you can slow the car down without dipping the clutch. you can go from top gear to second gear depending on your speed and road conditions..hope this is of some help. if you want to ask me any question do feel free to do so.yous sincerely Malcolm..