How to drive fast in a manual car

[@coryestewart]

The M2 takes two business days to shift from 1st to 2nd, but the rest is completely normal haha.

[@BallTickler420]

It's the exact same thing with any BMW I've driven so far lol, it's always the 1-2 shift that's super slow and if you try to do it faster it will jerk as if you were straight out of driving school. A bit annoying when trying to get moving a bit faster in traffic haha

[@coryestewart]

@@BallTickler420 yep, clutch delay valve right?

[@Basor011]

@@coryestewart it takes a while for the revs to go down i think?

[@patrolmostwanted]

It's the same in most new cars due to excessive rev hang as far as I can tell, though in BMWs it seems to be even more pronounced and therefore more difficult. Initially, the 1-2 upshift just feels like garbage. "You say you've driven manuals before? Yeah, tough luck here mate!" - says the BMW. You've got to get used to it, then with experience you can manage by slipping your clutch like Mick demonstrated. Doing so will make it smoother and at the same time quicker with adequate practice. Either this or it's time for a clutch/shifter mod and CDV-delete. Some folks say that even something as simple as a clutch stop in the floor makes a big difference.

[@reformedartist8528]

@@coryestewart Yes, remove the clutch delay valve and it will go away.

[@ChipsAAHoy]

I have a 2004 E46 M3 manual, and this very thought process goes on in my head every time I drive it. This kind of driving takes practice, humility, and patience to get it right, but when you do, it is fabulous and satisfying. I guess I'll have to wait until Mick's USA tour to give him a hug... Steve -- Ohio, USA

[@benjaminwiner6220]

Go as deep as you can into the corner then turn the wheel lol

[@humus124]

you got a magnificent car mate!! i love it!!!

[@sau6400]

most normal ohio resident

[@dimitrisboulios]

The passion in your voice. The understanding of the systems. It's like you're part of the gears. Impressive. I'm gonna rewatch and practice tons.

[@MickDrivesCars]

Thank you!

[@1nspireheroes]

Mick is 100 percent right about practicing quick starts, especially if you are in a new car. The roundabouts where i live are always busy and knowing that i can make gaps is essential.

[@goonersgang9937]

Really enjoyed this video. I drive a manual Kia Rio with 80 BHP. Would love to experience driving a powerful manual car one day

[@MickDrivesCars]

I spent years in a 1.2 twingo with 100hp. Enjoy it mate, there's a certain type of fun you can't find anywhere else.

[@JWL-UK]

You'll get there! I worked hard and get to daily a manual F-type V6 now in my early 40s. Started with an 1985 ethanol powered Ford Del Rey when I was 18 😉

[@bigpapivini6436]

80hp wtf thats weak as hell I have a 2007 fiat Bravo and its 120hp i didn't expect a kia to be this weak

[@jonathansteven9938]

@@bigpapivini6436 And i'm 17 with a 270 hp GTI, don't be an ass to people just because they may be less fortunate than you

[@bigpapivini6436]

@@jonathansteven9938 bro nooo what i wasn't being rude or something i was just saying how surprising the fact that that car has so low hp i mean i got a low hp car my self so u kinda misunderstood me its ok tho 😂

[@Andreas-jl9nr]

When I found out Mick is Oscar Piastri's UK brother 😱

[@MickDrivesCars]

News to me, but I'll take it

[@mikulaspetricko3935]

Very nicely putting into words...exactly why I love my manual gearbox

[@alwayslate4656]

The way this man speaks about manual cars and the explanation that comes with it made me feel all sorta things in my body

[@loiywer1292]

Glad im not alone

[@fortnitetrashcan8308]

are you perhaps mansexual

[@WG_269]

I'm a fairly new driver, but have driven for like three or four years, and have never knew about how to upshift. My car thanks you.

[@SM-pr1qt]

Thanks mate gonna go try this in my Corsa now 🚗

[@Phrizzey]

this is really good to know for upshifting. I was already "knowledgable" for starting and downshifting but i was just dumping my clutch 1-2/2-3/3-4. Thank you.

[@wrightwoodwork]

The good old traffic light grand prix. Too old for that now but still a useful skill for the roundabout gap od blink and miss it

[@deividasjaciunskas5679]

I love manuals, since the day I got my license i've been driving non stop for a year just learning, I feel so bad for my poor civic and it's clutch having to deal with my learning haha

[@Alex-p4s5j]

First step: buy a bmw

[@aslap4you882]

Step 2: Signal delete

[@vonix9199]

I had no idea you could just instantly let go of the clutch when launching if you have enough revs, but then again I drive a 110hp renault megane 😂

[@oleksandrs1102]

Bought my first manual Mazda 3 2.5 NA. Enjoy this content. I feel a lot needed to be learned.

[@alpha6549]

Welcome to the club. I just bought a Mazda 6 but let me tell you. I don't like the way it shifts. Way smoother on German cars Other than that it's great

[@SolidMGSnake]

Love your enthusiasm about manuals

[@sniperboy380]

Its hilarious how you added nope on the speed 😂😂😂

[@MickDrivesCars]

😂

[@eleftheriosgkioulekas1001]

Sulu! Go to warp NOPE. 😂

[@stuntdrag0n]

This came at the perfect time. I got my Manual M2 2 weeks ago and I’m getting more experience with it (my first manual), and now looking for techniques to be smoother and faster

[@Salpeteroxid]

I think that's the only new M-car I'd trade in my F82 M4 for. But I'll buy one second hand off warranty so I can tune it lol 😂 G87 seemed very heavy when I drove at the Nürburgring and most F82 and E92 M-cars just flew passed them, me included. Do they feel very heavy or was the G87 drivers to blame?

[@stuntdrag0n]

@@SalpeteroxidI came from a Supra, so absolutely it feels heavy. Right when you open the doors you can feel the weight. The Supra felt like a missile rocket and the G87 feels like a freight train. Both are fast, but the Supra you can feel the sense of speed more. M2 feels like an overall better whole package car though.

[@Salpeteroxid]

@@stuntdrag0n Is the supra a harsh ride and is the rear axle solid mounted like the M-cars?

[@stuntdrag0n]

@@Salpeteroxidgood question, I don’t know!

[@Aderin.]

Bro i love the way you explain things 😂 I havent driven a car in my pife but your videos make me feel like i have

[@paulprince906]

Those innuendos😂

[@MickDrivesCars]

:)

[@chadlittewillie7397]

Boutta go racing in a Renault Twingo with this tutorial, thanks :D

[@pastorcookie8689]

im already subbed, but im glad you reminded me to like the video after the inuendo LOL. Great vid man, i just got a manual less than a week ago and ive actually gotten comfortable driving around town, but i do so VERY SLOWLY. this is what i needed!

[@barcabarcabarcaa]

hey Mick. I've been watching your channel for quite some time now and I really enjoy your content. I'm right now still in the process of learning how to drive and getting my license as it takes around a years time here in Switzerland and I've been eagerly trying to practice your advice with my parent's manual car (it's not a sports car AT ALL). thank you for your helpful content.Your G87 is my absolute dream car. i'm excited for you and truly happy to see you enjoying it. Congrats on such an awesome ride!

[@SatanDotExe]

I have an OG manual M2 and I just budget a new clutch. It's way too fun to drive these cars hard 🤣

[@prismgames]

Damn, watched your videos when you were driving a Renault Magnum RS, congrats on moving up to an M2

[@Quirky.Turtle69]

Drove a 2003 mini s and the gearbox was amazing. I buttered the 1-2 shift on my first try which is a far cry from what we would expect from a modern car

[@ImpairedDriver2XP]

This video is so useful!! I just bought an 08 civic si and its honestly been so much fun learning standard in it

[@TheZiomalsky]

Heel/Toe will always be hard af for me. Whenever I lift my heel I can no longer maintain smooth break pressure, so when I blip the throttle I also accidentaly change the break pressure and shake the car.

[@matess3655]

I had the same problem, try this practice: on an empty road, apply a low amount of brake while holding the clutch, low enough to have a fair bit of time before you fully stop. While slowing down and still holding the cluch, try to rev the car a few times, to varying rpm levels, all while maintaining the same exact braking pressure. In some time, your foot will adapt to sort of moving around the brake pedal instead of just pressing down on it harder and it will get smoother. Try it with varying amounts of brake pressure each time so you truly get used to it.

[@carlosbriseno3802]

This dude just made me want to drive my Mustang gt for no damn reason

[@valentindobchev6005]

Sick upgrade over the Meg! Currently on the market for a F82 to upgrade my meg with!

[@microndo]

you're very good at explaining things, thank you

[@OKff123]

I’m from Ghana and you are very good with your lessons . Very articulate and interesting.

[@Omarock]

11:57 This is almost impossible to do on my stock 8th gen civic (non si) because the gas pedal is placed too low compared to brakes.

[@slavalone4109]

same issue with a hyundai tuscon basically, to be physically able to heel-toe, i'd have to be braking way too strongly for most road conditions lol what i end up doing is just downshifting in advance, before i even really start braking

[@BanhChui1968swe]

To learn each cars components and how they work together and how they differ from other cars is a freaking art. Everything from where the biting point is to where each gears revs are for the corresponding speed. The one thing I find the most difficult is that some of the manual cars I've driven don't have the desired pedalspacing for heel and toe (nor big toe small toe), since the pedals might either be too far apart from eachother or to far infront of the other (when the brake is pressed). Though the cars I'm talking about are not meant or built to be sporty. SAAB, Opel or Toyota. The car where I found heel and toeing to be the easiest is the Honda civic from the years 2008-2012 or so. Where the gas pedal is like on the BMW in the video.

[@ShanBGLR]

I would like to differ here - It's not working hard, one's an artist to understand each car and shift gears at the right RPM to get the best out of it, may that be performance or fuel efficiency. That's the fun of driving manual which no Automatic can give.

[@yungsquee1651]

The nope was a good idea. Fantastic video man👍🏻

[@JWL-UK]

Lovely video, I daily a manual F-type V6 on A and B roads and it's outstanding. I like blipping the throttle as I up shift just to keep the Jag howling, popping and banging a bit more. 😎

[@ooo6876]

me after three beers: this video is a good idea!

[@TimpBizkit]

1st gear goes up to 40 in a Cooper S I got stopped by the police in town once 😂. Said i was flying but thankfully no speeding ticket. Gotta be careful with the Peugeot engine though.

[@mayurnmahajan]

I liked how you explained stuff and also taught to take care of the gearbox. I could related to it although my lesser technically sound friends wouldn't.

[@ellispalmer9220]

I know how this sounds… but you should consider putting some sort of disclaimer at the start of videos like this. Young inexperienced drivers could watch this and run out of talent, fast. Launching is one thing, what happens after is another. We all think we are Hamilton when we first get on the road. Informative video and well presented 👍🏽

[@andreimilotin912]

my man explains how to drive a manual car, keeping his foot on the clutch all the time when the car is stationary :))

[@TimpBizkit]

The fastest way to launch is pedal to the floor, and letting the clutch out at the rate that keeps rpm at the torque peak. I don't do this as too much wear. I prefer to use about 1500 rpm and use the throttle to control how quickly I launch. Only applying further power when clutch is locked.

[@Bbart77]

My dad tought me this :D But the way you're speaking... love your energy haha

[@YouNeedToKnowTV]

Mick how many joints did you smoke before this video?

[@MardinAlikhani]

i thought i knew what "rev matching was" i thought i had to hold the gas-pedal at the right rpm until my cluth was loose, i'm now gonna try to quick-foot the gas. w Video

[@nugs2727]

Got my driving test today and oh well well well is the driving examiner in for a shock when I drive off a cliff at 88mph

[@chuggetmcnugget2739]

Great video- I basically taught myself manual and love it, but my shifter has gotten a little grindy and I’m worried I’m doing something wrong but just don’t know what, could you do a video on common mistakes that induce wear and tear?

[@MickDrivesCars]

I've got a maintenance checklist video that might be useful But for your specific problem it's likely clutch or gearbox... maybe a fluid change would help but if it's something like the synchros... it's a long day

[@alexms1993]

I guess also with upshifting, you could spend some time listening to the RPM drop between each gear, and then you'll get to a point where you'll be able to pull the clutch out at the right RPM every time. Probably faster to slip it but it's so satisfying to bring the clutch out to no judder or resistance lol. A bit like how you have to get it right with heel/toe

[@mikenewbold1699]

absolute pseud of the highest level

[@icyedits3701]

damn bro those are some beautiful roads

[@kenyaflutter8049]

Your videos have been very educational. Could you please make a video on how to perfectly center a car in the lane? Thanks!

[@ActuallyAudacity]

I've tried heel and toeing before. I have relatively big feet but I somehow can't rev match on an R56 😭 One of the main times I tried it I put too much brake while trying to blip the gas pedal

[@Salpeteroxid]

Nice to see you driving a proper car, welcome to the ///M club!

[@dtcy1229]

Mick treats the clutch like his favourite partner😏

[@dalecampbell3034]

I love this guy😂😂

[@n.w.aicecube5713]

softly but powerful

[@user-or6ud5el2w]

Underrated vid😂

[@saphics.]

6:05 😂😂

[@jgillingham010270]

Brilliant

[@dennistang4703]

powerband section can just explain with " lower gear = more power"

[@kebab82]

Great video, training these tricks in the company van so I don't fuck up my own car

[@jules074]

It’s crazy that in France we are taught a very different thing regarding downshift. I was taught let’s say I’m in 3rd gear I’m coming to a turn to make the turn I’m gonna break to a speed that’s correct to take the turn and while breaking I’m gonna shift from 3rd to 2nd that’s what all the driving teacher tells you that the break is the first thing you touch and the last thing you let go no rev match no nothing and I couldn’t find anyone who is french who made a video like you about rev matching or anything like this

[@AK_DJ]

Everyone is taught like this

[@jules074]

@@AK_DJ like what ?

[@pakistani69420]

Great now I can use this on my hyundai getz

[@marianpyter5948]

9:53 that's the way most people drive because that's the most economic way

[@dlockett4307]

Hey Mick, great video. Maybe a second camera showing the pedals would make this type of video even better

[@nexus_scar504]

I got a manual Honda my clutch n flywheel were cooked💀 now I’m installing a upgraded clutch kit and new flywheel to do it again😈

[@tonycuh114]

bro is poetic

[@thomxsissme]

could you do also something about parking? :)

[@EthanCummings-t6s]

God loves you guys!

[@jopbr.314]

Heel and toe is kinda hard in my swift sport since the throttle response is about 2 business days😅

[@Chevifier]

"There will come a time when you need to slow down" Oh thats what the middle pedal is for?😅

[@adamek9750]

in an NA car you cant let your revs drop too much between 1 and 2 gear otherwise it wont be smooth. Rev hang actually makes shifting easier imo

[@Johnathan.David.Trewhitt.]

Rev hang can mean it stays at the rpm u left it. For about 3 seconds. Meaning its impossible to shift smoothly at high rpm.

[@Aejaky]

​​@@Johnathan.David.Trewhitt. what? 3 seconds? Even 2 seconds is a crazy amount of rev hang

[@Johnathan.David.Trewhitt.]

@@Aejaky it was not the most sporty vehicle. Regardless buying a motorbike solves all these problems.

[@eclipsepheonix8030]

12:01 mate youre a legend

[@grosfumiste4429]

on the road by post malone is a nice detail

[@sanzvlogs5157]

Come to south africa..They will teach you the definition of fast shifting..

[@GtrMmorpg]

Can anyone explain to me what is the purpose of the heel toe thing? Ive driven manuals all my life, because thats what was available to me always, and I never knew about that technique, everyone says is supposed to help when slowing down? But I dont really get whats the problem with just down shifting, Ive never felt anything weird down there, I dont know anything about performance cars or mods or anything I just drive around the city.

[@Prodbytazza]

I'm a learner driver and I've always been told not to drive higher speeds in a lower gear like 2nd or 3rd. Why is this? I've noticed myself when I drive without my instructor and with a mate that my car is more powerful in the lower gears and keeps my speed. Anyone with knowledge on this who could give me insight would be greatly appreciated!

[@dtcy1229]

Mick gettn a lil zesty with that clutch treatment

[@FXTRT1-1]

What an excellent video sir!! My big mental problem is: I got a VW MK4 180PS and its 21y old xD I am kinda afraid of high reving it to hold my lower gear, it roars and i get like "Oh my gosh im so sorry bro ;_;" Wann keep my engine/car the next decade or longer haha

[@Leoksh]

Bruh I been clutch dumping this entire time no wonder my clutch left the chat , I thought it was worse to wait till the bite point if u have a high rpms

[@user-gy2sp8lz7o]

I tried heel toe downshify, but my gas pedal is so damn lower than my brake, that its impossible to reach it. Is that normal for some cars, or i just suck at it

[@MickDrivesCars]

Yeah it's really hard in some cars. You can get close my just rev matching before the corner, then braking. Separate the two.

[@BallTickler420]

That's completely normal, when I tried to learn it I was wondering the same thing. In some cars the brake pedal is higher than the gas pedal and if it's a car with somewhat of an enthusiast community, chances are that there are some upgrade kits to improve on this shortcoming, for example for my BMW E46 there are some extension plates that bolt onto the gas pedal to try improve the heel and toe. If I remember correctly there are also little plastic spacer bits that screw into the back of the pedal where it's bolted to the floor to move the whole pedal assembly forward. You can try this, or just after practice you will have it down - for me the big toe, little toe method works very well despite the height difference between the brake and accelerator - big toe on the brake and little toe on the accelerator.

[@Omarock]

Same thing on my 8th gen civic, I just brake till I get to the top of the previous gear's power band, release brake for a sec to tap gas / downshift, then get back on the brakes. It's slower but that's the best I can do in this car ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@trustmenow.]

It’s great how u talking about this

[@Self_improvement1192]

Hey mick. Learner driver here. I find that I struggle when to start steering at turns. I also struggle trying to keep my left knee centre due to changing gear(Manual Car)so my road positioning is terrible. Any advice and tips

[@MickDrivesCars]

You're still learning, just get more seat time

[@Lucky-hl6bz]

I found that I only started really learning how to drive a car after I passed.

[@cloudonyt8886]

Adjust your seat position ❤

[@wrightwoodwork]

Relax and keep looking up the road will help and trust your eyes and be patient and it will come

[@patrolmostwanted]

Turn the wheel in slowly first and rotate it at a steady pace. As soon as you can see that you're not on a collision course with the nearby curb, sign or car and your car is within the lines, just stay at the angle you're at until you see the corner exit (though sometimes you might want to make minimal corrections, to avoid potholes for example). Then at the exit simply let the car's wheels straighten out by themselves by gently letting go of the steering wheel. Main takeaway is: start turning in slowly to figure out, how much angle your car needs for the corner. As soon as you find the sweetspot - stay at it until you want to go in a straight line again.

[@zanylyf]

im driving my first manual wish me luck!!!

[@oceanpete36]

But Mick! does it have indicators?

[@_MilanKumar]

I love your videos mann....As a young driver I have learnt a lot of good things from you. Just a quick question what do you think about the throttle blip method to pull away quickly from a red light and I think it's a good method because it doesn't damage the clutch a lot.

[@bestpvp4195]

I have a mazda 3 MPs aero, i end up spinning way too much lol its just fun 😭😂

[@SecureLemons]

I assume it goes without saying, the third option of dumping your clutch doesnt work on fwd cars

[@tagapiouplayz3737]

Heel & toe is impossible in my 911 996 coz of how the pedals are … rip. Maybe I should tape a brick to the accelerator

[@DejvidR6]

always had manual till now now im looking for 330i automatic would also maybe maybe buy manual if its really exacly how i want it to be but they are rare.. but living in city its just get kinda anyoing with manual

[@kapika7348]

Heel&toe unless the pedal box and pedals positions literally make it impossible 😅 (up hinged gas pedal much deeper than the brake so I'd have to brake so much to even reach it)

[@logiarplayz9029]

I had the same problem in my 2015 civic si. I found a way of doing it that feels weird at first but has lead to me no longer fearing heel and toe downshifts. First thing you wanna do is put the heel of your right foot as close to the gas pedal as possible, and pushed up against the right side of the pedal box. This is going to be the anchor for your right foot. Next, twist your right foot to the left until your toes are behind the brake pedal. Once you have your foot at that angle, bring your toes on top of the brake pedal and maintain that angle. Now that you have the correct positioning you can move onto how you blip the throttle. While braking with your toes, basically fling your right knee to the right a bit. DO NOT KICK WITH YOUR FOOT, simply move your knee to the right, and the heel of your foot which is anchored in front of the throttle pedal will blip it perfectly for a downshift while maintaining consistent brake pressure and not throwing you around. IF you are driving very fast and need to do a larger blip for a downshift, focus on simply holding the blip for longer rather than blipping the pedal harder to make sure you don't slip off the brake.

[@kapika7348]

@@logiarplayz9029 Thx for that comprehensive answer 😅 But I can heel&toe. I googled your pedal box and it seems quite easy there, but in fabia 2 (with a very slow throttle response in addition) it's nearly impossible. Too little space and the throttle is just too deep...

[@vongu2090]

could u make a video on how to drive like a npc (civilian) in a manual?

[@nigellllllllll]

Fantastic video

[@kalinkuzmanov6747]

Nice!

[@xxfareedolixxx5964]

Brother I drive a renault clio and a Ford Fiesta. Do these stil apply or will I fuck up the car?

[@Austin-bc1yh]

Rev hang on moderns is atrocious. I drive an old 1.8t 6 speed a4 audi with some bolt ons and a tune and when upshifting I always drop the clutch fast because the rpms are right where they should be by the time i get it in gear(as long as im nice to my synchros). No rev hang, it drops as soon as I push the clutch in. I actually have to blip the throttle a tiny bit from 1st to 2nd to reduce clutch wear because it likes to reach idle before it wants to go in, seems to be the case with all the 1.8ts and ive driven several. I think 1st isnt synchronized on them. 10:45 anecdote you ALWAYS want to be in a high powerband for 2 reasons when going round bends and curves. Reason #1 if you arent touching the gas pedal you get engine braking which helps reduce the effort your braking system needs to slow down. #2 in a slide or out of control situation you can use the cars power to straighten out by hammering the gas pedal. It sounds counterintuitive but as someone who has went into a ditch driving an awd vehicle by taking a corner too hard, letting off the power when you are skidding around trying to maintain control will cause a fishtail if you arent prepared to handle the steering wheel in a manner to regain composure. If you are too spirited and slide around a corner too fast especially on gravel hitting the gas pedal till you get straightened out is your best friend. Especially rwd cars. You often see those videos of someone doing a showoff with their new muscle car and they do the 180 burnout and takeoff only to end up fishtailing into a sidewalk 200 yards later because they let off the gas pedal before they fully gained traction.

[@verdasko1147]

Heyy , hearing first 2 minutes i realised i shouldn’t be watching this , it would be tickets feast .

[@jasonmcenroy1961]

Thanks for the video. I’ve had my manual M3 for a few weeks and the part about taking off quickly was particularly helpful. What traction setting are you using? And what’s your opinion on sport vs sport plus? Much appreciated! 🙏🏻

[@MickDrivesCars]

Glad I could help! This was in MDM mode, I have M1 on MDM and M2 on TC Off The car has separate sport/sport plus settings for everything. Drivetrain sport plus makes the throttle pedal too on/off, but the crackles are great. Suspension sport plus is HARSH, regular sport is about as hard as I need on the road.

[@jasonmcenroy1961]

@@MickDrivesCars Thank you!

[@H2HMBL]

Problem is there’s speed cameras everywhere