2012 Mazda 3 Manual - Jerky starts from standstill

[3i2011]

HA! I called it earlier "I do better when its cold and the a/c is off" Another thing you can do is give it more gas. However much you normally give it, give it more. I tried this and its smoother because the rpm's are a little higher when you engage the clutch so the engine doesn't bog as much. Just something to try though. It's probably harder on your clutch though.

[TheBeachBumm]

Still sounds like a "newbie" problem to me. I've driven a stick for 11 years, all the cars i've ever owned were stick including my first Mazda and this 3 is by far the most difficult to drive... except for the Speed6 that i test drove.

It just takes a while to get used to. Yes there is a difference with the AC on/off on such a small motor there is no doubt you will notice.

I suggest saving your time at the dealership and go find some traffic, maybe even uphill traffic. You will be a pro by the time you get home.

Good luck!

[2forjuan]

^

[3i2011]

Originally Posted by TheBeachBumm

Still sounds like a "newbie" problem to me. I've driven a stick for 11 years, all the cars i've ever owned were stick including my first Mazda and this 3 is by far the most difficult to drive... except for the Speed6 that i test drove.

And everyone thought I was crazy, even me, when I said the Porsche 944S was easier to drive than the Mazda.

[please2]

Went to the dealer and drove the car with a mechanic, as well as the salesman I got the car from. Both said they don't notice a difference

[please2]

Sorry about all the questions But is this normal? Today I drove downtown and there was a lot of stop and go traffic, spent a lot of time just in first gear. During this time I noticed that in the stop and go traffic the car will shake occasionally when the RPM gets low enough. For example it happens around 1k RPM when cruising on first gear, the rpm will kind of jump around from 800 to 1000 or so back and forth for a bit and won't stop until I accelerate further and it causes a shaky ride.

I wasn't sure what to do. It was very slow traffic and the cars infront of me were going, but very slow.

Any tips? Thinking back maybe it was possible to change to second and maybe it shook because I stayed in first.. but not sure it was fast enough speed to change to 2nd

[OrangeVirus1]

man you guys are crazy..learning stick on a brand new car..every time I see my buddy stall in his speed 6( first manual for him ) or jerk .. I cringe... ughh..

btw to OP practice more, your doing it wrong imo. instead of holding the gas, and getting whacko starts, when you start to release the clutch, just tap tap tap the gas.. easy quick taps..on off on off til the car gets moving.. that's an easy way to start to figure it out. just quick toe taps,

I will agree..my mazda was difficult at first. in all I have stalled it at least 5 times. the clutch is so so soft. but it is really smooth too..I got used to a 6 puck clutch on my eclipse lol and transitioning to a mazda was sooo weird.

also every car i've owned was stick too! auto sucks!

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by please2

Sorry about all the questions But is this normal? Today I drove downtown and there was a lot of stop and go traffic, spent a lot of time just in first gear. During this time I noticed that in the stop and go traffic the car will shake occasionally when the RPM gets low enough. For example it happens around 1k RPM when cruising on first gear, the rpm will kind of jump around from 800 to 1000 or so back and forth for a bit and won't stop until I accelerate further and it causes a shaky ride.

I wasn't sure what to do. It was very slow traffic and the cars infront of me were going, but very slow.

Any tips? Thinking back maybe it was possible to change to second and maybe it shook because I stayed in first.. but not sure it was fast enough speed to change to 2nd

this is because your trying to drive the car in idle.. normal, not something you really want to do either imo. this is the air / fuel from idle just barely keeping the car moving and not stalling.. will be a bumpy ride.

[3i2011]

I find the stiff clutches easier so far. The 4cyl Ranger I drove was by far the worst though. That had no feel at all.

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by 3i2011

I find the stiff clutches easier so far. The 4cyl Ranger I drove was by far the worst though. That had no feel at all.

i agree.. stiff clutch is easy. esp. a clutch like in my old eclipse.. it would engage like 1cm off the floor..hell ya act 6 puck sprung!