[Hoodlum]

My 05 mustang is my first manual transmission and i learned it in 2 days. I have two questions tho, about manual transmission operation when down shifting is it a must to go in order of the gears or can you jump from like 5th to 3rd? How do you properly operate reverse because if i just engage it a little and gas it, it kinda sounds like a wind up toy and im not sure if thats normal, usually i just avoid that by slightly engaging it and pumping the gas to move in reverse slowly. Are these "proper" techniques because i just normally shift through all the motions when im stopped to get to first if i dont engine brake to stop.

[Saleen Owner]

You don't need to downshift in any order, just grap the gear you want. Just make sure you learn your gear to rpm to mph ratios, this will make a highway speed 5th to 3rd shift (for dusting off a pesky Camaro) alot less tramatic on the drivetrain.

The reverse 'whining' sound is normal in any manual I've ever driven.

[Hoodlum]

Originally Posted by Saleen Owner

You don't need to downshift in any order, just grap the gear you want. Just make sure you learn your gear to rpm to mph ratios, this will make a highway speed 5th to 3rd shift (for dusting off a pesky Camaro) alot less tramatic on the drivetrain.

The reverse 'whining' sound is normal in any manual I've ever driven.

Appreciate the help!

[Fiat Freak]

Ditto. Reverse "whine" is a natural occurance for most cars w/manual trannys.

You'll quickly learn, as you practice downshifting, what gear to hit at what rpm. You'll even get to the point of being able to do so w/out overtly thinking about it. Just be careful as you begin practicing.

And, like I aways tell my daughters, NEVER hit 1st gear while rolling. Come to a complete stop first. And, only morons go from forward to reverse w/out coming to a complete stop first. Leaving tranny parts on the concrete is never a move you wanna make.

[Hoodlum]

Once again appreciate the info!

It only took me two days to completely master it but i just wasnt sure about what i can and cant do as it relates to skipping gears and the reverse sound.

[CaptainSkyhawk]

I'm in kind of the same situation (just bought a '95 stang a short time ago).

I guess I'm allright on it, but I usually tend to shift pretty "low" -- you know, when I tend to shift into 2nd gear it's usually bogged down around 14-1500 rpm's -- am I hurtin' it any?

[lovcom]

Fiat_Freak, there is NO reason to insist on putting the car in 1st gear only if it is stopped. This is profoundly not true. If one knows how to drive a stick properly one can bring it into first at 15 mph or lower correctly without hurting or stressing the power train. It's a matter of know when, and how much to blip the throttle when doing it. No harm if done correctly.

[lovcom]

Captain, don't bog the motor....it will effect the longevity of your car in the long run...sometimes in the short run too. People often make the mistake of short shifting to "save gas"....thinking that high RPM's mean low MPG...this is not necessarily true. Let the engine breath and prevent it from labor so much....bogging it is doing damage in the long run.