Can Your Girlfriend, Wife, Significant Other, ETC Drive 6MT???

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 09:52 PM

I tried teaching this girl I'm dating how to drive my 6MT 330i one a few months back, and once again today. . .
Both times, same result.
Impossible.
I know i'm not the best teacher and the first time i didn't have the most paitients, but this time i really tried and was really understanding but it was just not happening.

She gets to nervous and anxious.
Any story, tips, advise, suggestions, comments?

Universal_Magnetic · 12-06-2008, 09:56 PM

if you love your car...dont let her drive

longtran · 12-06-2008, 09:57 PM

you need to relax paul. the more you get frustrated the more she will not want to do it. i taught jenn how to drive stick 11 years ago. but i used a 94 toyota pickup truck. that truck does not die out if you do not gas enough. maybe she should use an easier car to learn on.

malloy44 · 12-06-2008, 09:59 PM

I'll back that... don't let her drive it. Girls just seem, as you said, way too nervous and anxious. I tried the same thing with my old stick car (mazda 3), which was a super easy transmission and my girlfriend was ok, but too jumpy and scared. I definitely won't be having round two of that on the e90 I just bought!

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longtran

you need to relax paul. the more you get frustrated the more she will not want to do it. i taught jenn how to drive stick 11 years ago. but i used a 94 toyota pickup truck. that truck does not die out if you do not gas enough. maybe she should use an easier car to learn on.

Thanks Long, but this time i was seriously so freaking relaxed. . .
She was the one freaking out when she would stall or couldn't figure something out.
She would get frustrated and angry.
I was cailm the whole time.
And in my opinion, the E90 330 it one of the easiest cars to learn how drive a stick on.
You don't even need to give it any gas as long as you let off the clutch slowly.
Soo much easier than cars i've driven in the past.
2005 Jetta GLI you can't take off at all in first without giving it gas.

longtran · 12-06-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

Thanks Long, but this time i was seriously so freaking relaxed. . .
She was the one freaking out when she would stall or couldn't figure something out.
She would get frustrated and angry.
I was cailm the whole time.
And in my opinion, the E90 330 it one of the easiest cars to learn how drive a stick on.
You don't even need to give it any gas as long as you let off the clutch slowly.
Soo much easier than cars i've driven in the past.
2005 Jetta GLI you can't take off at all in first without giving it gas.

find a toyota pickup truck. those thing never die out. LOL...

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Universal_Magnetic

if you love your car...dont let her drive

Quote:

Originally Posted by malloy44

I'll back that... don't let her drive it. Girls just seem, as you said, way too nervous and anxious. I tried the same thing with my old stick car (mazda 3), which was a super easy transmission and my girlfriend was ok, but too jumpy and scared. I definitely won't be having round two of that on the e90 I just bought!

It's just a car guys.
i've let her drive all 3 of my E90's and she has one of her own.
I've let girls i've dated drive my car before too, and one of them drove a stick very well

Also, i'm getting rid of this 330 in a few weeks now that i have my 335 so i'm not too worried about it. . .

742 · 12-06-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

I tried teaching this girl I'm dating how to drive my 6MT 330i one a few months back, and once again today. . .
Both times, same result.
Impossible.
I know i'm not the best teacher and the first time i didn't have the most paitients, but this time i really tried and was really understanding but it was just not happening.

She gets to nervous and anxious.
Any story, tips, advise, suggestions, comments?

Have a lesson plan. Or in other words, write down what you are planning to do each time you go out. This forces you to organize your thoughts. Many short, simple lessons are better than a few big ones.

Help her to keep motivated. If she gives up you will never make any progress. Praise success, use failure as an opportunity to learn why things did not work.

Don’t get stressed when things go wrong. She is not going to damage the car, and make sure that she understands that.

This is not hard. Most of the world learns to drive on manuals from day one, it just takes some time.

EDIT: And for the record, having done this many times, I find women to be very good students.

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longtran

find a toyota pickup truck. those thing never die out. LOL...

hahaha i think my grandpa has one. . .
looks just like this but its sooo much harder to drive than my E90!!!

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 742

Have a lesson plan. Or in other words, write down what you are planning to do each time you go out. This forces you to organize your thoughts. Many short, simple lessons are better than a few big ones.

Help her to keep motivated. If she gives up you will never make any progress. Praise success, use failure as an opportunity to learn why things did not work.

Don’t get stressed when things go wrong. She is not going to damage the car, and make sure that she understands that.

This is not hard. Most of the world learns to drive on manuals from day one, it just takes some time.

EDIT: And for the record, having done this many times, I find women to be very good students.

Yeah. . . I've done all that. . . i think i just need to go with the several short lessons over the few long ones.

malloy44 · 12-06-2008, 10:14 PM

Having a plan would definitely be a good idea! And several short lessons makes sense too, I think I may employ this idea and give my gf another shot. Although I just got my e90 a week ago, so I'll give it a little more time!

742 · 12-06-2008, 10:23 PM

One more thought that I forgot in my list.

Get something like this: http://www.wholesalemagneticsigns.co...ver.html#24x6s

I find that it lowers the stress level when the student stalls in traffic.

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 742

One more thought that I forgot in my list.

Get something like this: http://www.wholesalemagneticsigns.co...ver.html#24x6s

I find that it lowers the stress level when the student stalls in traffic.

Hahhahaha

longtran · 12-06-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 742

One more thought that I forgot in my list.

Get something like this: http://www.wholesalemagneticsigns.co...ver.html#24x6s

I find that it lowers the stress level when the student stalls in traffic.

in japan, new drive have to hang these

get one paul

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-06-2008, 10:35 PM

Hahhaha what are those called?

LOLrance · 12-07-2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

Hahhaha what are those called?

Soshinoya.

If you cant remember, just do what i do, think yoshinoya with a

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-07-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

Soshinoya.

If you cant remember, just do what i do, think yoshinoya with a

Hahhah thanks!

e92phreak · 12-07-2008, 12:35 AM

I guess I'm lucky. My wife learned to drive MT on her own back in high school when she took off with her parents' 1983 Honda Accord.

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 12-07-2008, 12:55 AM

visor · 12-07-2008, 02:13 AM

Very good ideas.

You've got to let her know it's OK to stall it. That there won't be any damage. As a matter of fact, let her stall it as much as she needs in order for her to learn the engagement point.

You've also got to be super patient. Watch your tone of voice and reaction.

Make sure she wears comfy runners. Wide open empty parking lot. And encourage her lots!

Bilka · 12-07-2008, 02:36 AM

IMHO, best way to teach your significant other how to drive stick..... go rent a stick shift from Rent-A-Wreck, drive it about 2 miles away from your house, and tell her to get back to the house. Thats what i did and she drives great. (Rented a 92 Ford Aspire - stiff ass clutch)

barbados · 12-07-2008, 02:54 AM

My girlfriend had a stick shift IS300 before she decided to get something, so she can drive a stick just fine... I still won't let her drive my E92 though, I'm too freaked out about it - but I won't let anyone drive it, so it's nothing against her

I did let her drive my brand new 2007 STi Limited on the way home from the dealership with 6 miles on the odometer, but I'm more in love with the E92 - so I'm more anal about it.

View Poll Results: Can Your Girlfriend, Wife, Significant Other, ETC Drive 6MT???
Yes - No Problem like a pro	124	50.41%
No - Hell no can't even get out of first	64	26.02%
Kinda - But sure as hell won't let her drive mine	49	19.92%
Not Sure - Never asked never tried	9	3.66%
Voters: 246. You may not vote on this poll

12-06-2008, 09:52 PM	#1
PaulBailey@ltbmw General 663 Rep 26,878 Posts Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [7.00] 2011 BMW 335i E92 [7.96]	Can Your Girlfriend, Wife, Significant Other, ETC Drive 6MT??? I tried teaching this girl I'm dating how to drive my 6MT 330i one a few months back, and once again today. . . Both times, same result. Impossible. I know i'm not the best teacher and the first time i didn't have the most paitients, but this time i really tried and was really understanding but it was just not happening. She gets to nervous and anxious. Any story, tips, advise, suggestions, comments?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-06-2008, 09:56 PM	#2
Universal_Magnetic Captain 34 Rep 836 Posts Drives: E92 335xi Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (3)	if you love your car...dont let her drive __________________ BMS E92 335xi \| PROcede \| K&N \| KW \| VMR \| LUX \| Bastuck \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2008, 09:57 PM	#3
longtran Lieutenant General 1433 Rep 16,628 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (105) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	you need to relax paul. the more you get frustrated the more she will not want to do it. i taught jenn how to drive stick 11 years ago. but i used a 94 toyota pickup truck. that truck does not die out if you do not gas enough. maybe she should use an easier car to learn on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2008, 09:59 PM	#4
malloy44 Private 1 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton iTrader: (1)	I'll back that... don't let her drive it. Girls just seem, as you said, way too nervous and anxious. I tried the same thing with my old stick car (mazda 3), which was a super easy transmission and my girlfriend was ok, but too jumpy and scared. I definitely won't be having round two of that on the e90 I just bought!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2008, 10:14 PM	#11
malloy44 Private 1 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton iTrader: (1)	Having a plan would definitely be a good idea! And several short lessons makes sense too, I think I may employ this idea and give my gf another shot. Although I just got my e90 a week ago, so I'll give it a little more time!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2008, 10:23 PM	#12
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	One more thought that I forgot in my list. Get something like this: http://www.wholesalemagneticsigns.co...ver.html#24x6s I find that it lowers the stress level when the student stalls in traffic.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2008, 10:35 PM	#15
PaulBailey@ltbmw General 663 Rep 26,878 Posts Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [7.00] 2011 BMW 335i E92 [7.96]	Hahhaha what are those called?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2008, 12:35 AM	#18
e92phreak General 384 Rep 21,747 Posts Drives: E92 335i TiAg/E46 323i TiAg Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.50] 2000 E46 323i [0.00]	I guess I'm lucky. My wife learned to drive MT on her own back in high school when she took off with her parents' 1983 Honda Accord. __________________ 07 E92 335i \| TiAg \| Step \| Padl \| Cmft \| Alum Trm \| PDC \| Nav \| Assist \| Sat \| Lthr \| Prem \| Sprt \| Rear Splr \| RDSport Quads \| iPod \| V1 \| LT Refl \| VS Clear Bra \| OEM Lip \| KWV2 \| Mtec Sides \| BBS LM-R 00 E46 323i \| TiAg \| 5sp \| Sport \| Roof \| RDSport Cams \| RDSport tune \| RDSport Shift \| Volk LE37 \| M3 spoiler \| PSS9 \| SuperSprint \| Brembo
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2008, 12:55 AM	#19
PaulBailey@ltbmw General 663 Rep 26,878 Posts Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [7.00] 2011 BMW 335i E92 [7.96]
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2008, 02:13 AM	#20
visor BMW, can I have some LSD please? 88 Rep 1,591 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	Very good ideas. You've got to let her know it's OK to stall it. That there won't be any damage. As a matter of fact, let her stall it as much as she needs in order for her to learn the engagement point. You've also got to be super patient. Watch your tone of voice and reaction. Make sure she wears comfy runners. Wide open empty parking lot. And encourage her lots! __________________ 2006 330i \| TiAg \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2008 335i \| AW \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2013 328xi \| Red \| Gray \| Al \| 8AT \| Sports Line \| Premium \| Executive \| Heat Pkg retired 2017 340i xDrive \| Estoril \| Black \| Al \| 8AT \| M Package
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2008, 02:36 AM	#21
Bilka Captain 32 Rep 714 Posts Drives: M440 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: So Cal iTrader: (2)	IMHO, best way to teach your significant other how to drive stick..... go rent a stick shift from Rent-A-Wreck, drive it about 2 miles away from your house, and tell her to get back to the house. Thats what i did and she drives great. (Rented a 92 Ford Aspire - stiff ass clutch)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2008, 02:54 AM	#22
barbados First Lieutenant 15 Rep 337 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gotham City iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	My girlfriend had a stick shift IS300 before she decided to get something, so she can drive a stick just fine... I still won't let her drive my E92 though, I'm too freaked out about it - but I won't let anyone drive it, so it's nothing against her I did let her drive my brand new 2007 STi Limited on the way home from the dealership with 6 miles on the odometer, but I'm more in love with the E92 - so I'm more anal about it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote