Teaching Wife to Drive A Manual Trans.

[wileycoyote]

Well, I would have said "Teaching wife to drive a stick", but I'm pretty sure what kind of responses I would get.

Now that the Accord is gone, she's going to have to drive either the 328 or the Z3 until she finds a replacement. Both have manual transmissions. For years I have been after her to learn to drive, but she just wouldn't. We have the rental car for a few more days, then, if she want's to get to work, she has no choice. Reminder her that I told her this would happen ("Honey, the day is going to come when you have to drive one of the BMW's and it's going to be hard to learn under durress.") turned out to be a bad idea. I think that maybe tonight I'll get to sleep in the bed, I've been on the couch for a few nights.

Anyone have some good "drills" she can practice that will help her make smooth starts? She's having a real hard time finding the friction point in the clutch travel. It's either whiplash start, or five minutes as she creeps the clutch out all the way from the bottom.

 

[MyHarley]

This is probably the answer you are not looking for, but why only a few more days for the rental car, you should be able to keep the rental car until the insurance company offers a settlement...........then if you decline the settlement, the rental car goes back.......so I'm confused here on why causing undue stress, especially on Valentine's Day........women are simple, keep it simple........if you ever learn anything, learn that......

 

[wileycoyote]

I expect a settlement offer from the insurance company early next week, which means the rental will have to go back by the end of the week (48 hrs after settlement offer). You're right, today is probably not the best day to practice driving so I won't bring it up until Sunday.

 

[MyHarley]

here's a thought Wiley..............both of you get dressed up and go look today for her a car, get some brochures, go to a restaurant, order fun drinks and discuss the brochures and the likes and dislikes of car, dont go all technical in the discussions, color, interior, cupholders, storage compartments, trunk space.......anticipation brings excitement........excitement brings happy boys and girls.........

Happy Valentine's Day!!

 

[wileycoyote]

Can't look today, still working, but good idea. I think we'll go tomorrow. I'm pretty much letting her pick out what she wants, offering suggestions only when she asks (learned that already).

Thanks for the advise, Happy Valentine's Day to you also.

 

[Ghost]

Wileycoyote,

Kirby devised a good method of learning to drive stick.

 

[wileycoyote]

Great suggestions by Kirby! We spent few minutes doing the "Get the car rolling without using the gas" thing and in no time she was making smooth starts from a stop. She still panics a little when she gets in traffic and has to choose the correct gear, and has trouble finding the gears sometimes (almost killed us yesterday as she veared into the oncomming lane while she was litterally looking for 5th gear).

 

[Kirby]

Cool! I was hoping someone else could try this and see if it worked for other learners. Pass on my congratulations!


Hmmmm,
Maybe I can sell a "Learn how to Drive Stick in 5 Minutes" video tape for $19.95 on TV.

(ORDER BEFORE MIDNITE TONIGHT AND GET A FREE TORNADO TURBOCHARGER!!!!!)

 

[CTBMW]

I tried once (once) with our crx-years ago ( She beat the hell out of that poor car!)
Turn your wife over to someone you both know well, her brother, her friend-you don't need the stress, and she has enough on her plate trying to learn. Without you there!
(IMHO)
-Mel
You can always "fine tune" her technique later

 

[wileycoyote]

Sound advise CTBMW, sound advise.