Reverse Gear
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Reverse Gear
Okay Guy's be easy on me as I'm new to a Manual Tranny.
I have a 2007 Vette and am trying to understand what is the best way to use the Reverse gear when backing out of a garage? I've been told you can use the Clutch to manage the speed in which you exit the garage. I initial would let out the clutch all the way, but the speed of reverse seemed to fast, and applying the brake seemed to cause the car to want to stall.
So, what technique do you use?
I have a 2007 Vette and am trying to understand what is the best way to use the Reverse gear when backing out of a garage? I've been told you can use the Clutch to manage the speed in which you exit the garage. I initial would let out the clutch all the way, but the speed of reverse seemed to fast, and applying the brake seemed to cause the car to want to stall.
So, what technique do you use?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Boone Lake Tennessee
Okay Guy's be easy on me as I'm new to a Manual Tranny.
I have a 2007 Vette and am trying to understand what is the best way to use the Reverse gear when backing out of a garage? I've been told you can use the Clutch to manage the speed in which you exit the garage. I initial would let out the clutch all the way, but the speed of reverse seemed to fast, and applying the brake seemed to cause the car to want to stall.
So, what technique do you use?
I have a 2007 Vette and am trying to understand what is the best way to use the Reverse gear when backing out of a garage? I've been told you can use the Clutch to manage the speed in which you exit the garage. I initial would let out the clutch all the way, but the speed of reverse seemed to fast, and applying the brake seemed to cause the car to want to stall.
So, what technique do you use?
Ride the clutch just slightly until you get the hang of it
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
You need to work the clutch and gas pedal. Gentle on the gas, slip the clutch as necessary to back out nice and easy. Does take a bit of practice with the 'vette clutch. My 2006's clutch tends to engage pretty fast as you let the pedal up.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
I think the best technique might depend on your driveway - uphill or down, straight or curved. If its downhill you can probably just let out enough clutch to get it moving then coast - that's mostly what I do, then use the clutch again at the bottom of the drive to back out into the street. Of course if your driveway is uphill that's not going to work too well, so you're left with riding the clutch or backing in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
No, I just feather the clutch.
I have to back up and turn as I exit my garage, so I need to go slowly. Just a little clutch engagement gets the car moving, and then I push the clutch peddle back down. I really don't even touch the brake.
I have to back up and turn as I exit my garage, so I need to go slowly. Just a little clutch engagement gets the car moving, and then I push the clutch peddle back down. I really don't even touch the brake.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 60
From: West Michigan
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Once you have 'mastered' the art of getting out of your garage and driveway (and since you have no experience driving a manual transmission), I suggest you find a safe, deserted, large, paved parking lot and simply practice...practice on deserted roads.
Proficiency driving the stick shift will come with time and experience. I worry if you are having problems simply backing-up you could put yourself and others at-risk driving in public. If you're stopped on a steep incline can you get-going easy enough without rolling backwards, without stalling the car or without having to accelerate rapidly? Go practice as much as possible....you'll get the 'hang of it' quickly.
Proficiency driving the stick shift will come with time and experience. I worry if you are having problems simply backing-up you could put yourself and others at-risk driving in public. If you're stopped on a steep incline can you get-going easy enough without rolling backwards, without stalling the car or without having to accelerate rapidly? Go practice as much as possible....you'll get the 'hang of it' quickly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
I do pretty much the same thing everyone else has posted. It won't hurt the clutch to let it slip a bit and not let it all of the way out. I've been driving manuals for 30 years and my technique is so automatic, I had to think about it to try to answer your question.
Exiting (or entering) my garage is tricky because I have only about 3-4" clearance for the mirrors on both sides, and my driveway starts curving immediately outside my garage door. I think I ease the clutch out just enough to get the car moving, and then push it back in and coast very slowly until my mirrors clear the door frame, and then let it out again to add a little speed, then push it in again and coast and brake at the end of my driveway, then let it out again to back into the street.
Exiting (or entering) my garage is tricky because I have only about 3-4" clearance for the mirrors on both sides, and my driveway starts curving immediately outside my garage door. I think I ease the clutch out just enough to get the car moving, and then push it back in and coast very slowly until my mirrors clear the door frame, and then let it out again to add a little speed, then push it in again and coast and brake at the end of my driveway, then let it out again to back into the street.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Once you have 'mastered' the art of getting out of your garage and driveway (and since you have no experience driving a manual transmission), I suggest you find a safe, deserted, large, paved parking lot and simply practice...practice on deserted roads.
Proficiency driving the stick shift will come with time and experience. I worry if you are having problems simply backing-up you could put yourself and others at-risk driving in public. If you're stopped on a steep incline can you get-going easy enough without rolling backwards, without stalling the car or without having to accelerate rapidly? Go practice as much as possible....you'll get the 'hang of it' quickly.
Proficiency driving the stick shift will come with time and experience. I worry if you are having problems simply backing-up you could put yourself and others at-risk driving in public. If you're stopped on a steep incline can you get-going easy enough without rolling backwards, without stalling the car or without having to accelerate rapidly? Go practice as much as possible....you'll get the 'hang of it' quickly.
I appreciate all the insights and tips.
Thanks again
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Drive it. Think of what you do in 1st? Do the same in reverse EXCEPT when you get to the speed you are comfortable with, push the clutch to the floor and coast. If you start to lose momentum and need more "reverse" let the clutch out and speed back up to what you want then push the clutch to the floor. Hover your right foot over the brake if you're going down hill. Down hill is usually just get it started and let it roll.
Practice, practice, practice.
Elmer
Practice, practice, practice.
Elmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,887
Likes: 2
From: Exhaust Commander Wireless Bi-Mode Exhaust Controllers, Innovative and advanced technology! --- Check out our website @ www.sunsetorangecreations.com
St. Jude Donor '13
I just feather the clutch out enough to get the car rolling slowly and then push it in and roll. I hardly ever let the clutch fully engage in reverse. I dont even need to give it gas. I just let the clutch out slowly and the car will start to move and rpms drop a little and then push it in and idle and roll.
If you are backing uphill more gas is needed and if downhill just roll.
It will not hurt it to feather the clutch when backing out.
