MX5 Driving tips

[zc32s]

At least now I know my cars not dieing. I wont be parting out with the LSD, im happy to live with it and I'm sure I'll enjoy it once Im confident enough to take it to the track.

[deviant]

downshifts into turns arent the best but they're getting better.


- When I let off the throttle too quickly, the car will shudder for a little bit as the rpms drop too quickly.

This happens as you are going too fast for the gear you are in. Only way to 'fix' it is to heel-toe it

You have cut out an important bit of information here. The shudder is on moving from a stand still, not on a downshift.

Thanks for the tips everyone!
I just took the car for another spin and Im getting really use to it. Start is smooth, gear shifts are smooth, downshifts into turns arent the best but they're getting better.

I also tried reproducing the shuddering. This is when it occurs.
- When I let off the throttle too quickly, the car will shudder for a little bit as the rpms drop too quickly.
- Moving the car off in a turn at slow speeds (eg parking lot) or just pulling out of a small street. It feels like the rear wheels are locking which makes it shudder.

I just remembered the previous owner put a Cusco LSD in it so I think that is the culprit rather than clutch shatter. Any tips on how to fix that?

The shudder when you pull away is the engine bogging down and labouring. Keep driving and you will get to the point that you can pull away as smooth as any auto without flaring the revs or slipping the clutch. It is very satisfying to get right...perfect heel n toe is even more satisfying

The Cusco LSD will likely be causing the shudder in low speed turns. I believe they are a clutch pack LSD...try changing the oil in it.

[hks_kansei]

I believe they are a clutch pack LSD...try changing the oil in it.

They are indeed.

But I'll also specify that the OP should do some reading on the correct oil to use in a clutchpack LSD.
If I remember correctly they require some sort of specialty oil, unlike an open diff, or TorsenT2 which just uses normal gear oil like the gearbox (T1 torsen needs one with Extreme Pressure additives from memory)

[davekmoore]

zc32s, are you a learner driver of a car or a Learner Driver of the forum?

[zc32s]

zc32s, are you a learner driver of a car or a Learner Driver of the forum?

Learner driver of the forum.
I purchased the mx5 because I wanted to learn how to drive a manual car and I wanted something to work on during my spare time.
Im quickly getting use to it though.

Im going to give the car its first service. Are there any consumables that I should change for my peace of mind. From my understanding the car I own wasnt dríven between July-December.

[davekmoore]

So you bought a manual car to learn how to drive a manual? This seems to suggest you learned in an auto. So is it ok in Australia to just decide you'll start driving a manual?

[JBT]

In most(?) states, yes. You must re-train and re-test in Queensland.

[M1474]

Big thumbs up for learning to drive manual

[AntHarmer]

^ and in a proper car!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Okibi]

Here's a few tips (not necessarily for the MX-5)

Treat your car like it's invisible to other motorists - don't sit in their blind spot; once the front of your car is level with the rear of theirs, give it a little throttle until your cars is level with them so they can see you're in the lane next to them. Don't assume they'll stay in their lane.

When turning left a car can pull up next to you (to turn right) and block your vision, it can pay to look out for this and sometimes stop a little back from the line so you can see past the rear of the car turning right.

When at traffic lights, pay attention, don't look at your mobile phone, pick your nose or perv at joggers. When the light goes green it's courteous to be ready to move.

On the road don't cut corners, there's nothing "cool" about apexing a corner in a suburban street and driving into oncoming traffic / kids playing in the street.

Keep your vision up, don't just look at the car right in front of you, look a few cars ahead, then you'll have time to react to an unexpected situation.

Keep left (if you don't understand what this means then sell your MX-5 and buy a ute/SUV/bus)

When merging into traffic, make sure you accelerate fast enough to match the traffic speed by the time you have to merge.

Indicators, use them, use them earlier when you have an L plater, P plater or old person driving behind you. Also get on your brakes softer and earlier when these motorists are behind you, gives them more time to react.

Don't angle your seat back like a Honda owner (hard to do in an MX-5 unless you're a midget) if you can't press your wrist on the top of the steering wheel without lifting your shoulders off the seat back then your seat is too far back.

Mirrors are for checking if there's cars in the lanes next to you, not for looking at your own car. If you can see the sides of your car in the mirrors then they're not adjusted correctly. If you need to see the sides of your car while parking then move your head a fraction and your rear view mirror will magically show the side of your MX-5.

When you drive up behind cyclists; slow down, relax, breath in, breath out and wait for a safe time to indicate and pass them. You're the lazy one sitting in a motorised chair while they're doing their best to keep fit and save the environment. If you get stressed out by cyclists on the road then you need to get laid more.

Dags; some MX-5 owners (mostly those new to cruising with other cars) seem to feel they should stick to your back bumper like stinky balls of sh*t. Don't do it, you cause the car ahead to slow right down and do slower more deliberate braking, this slows everyone down and you're gonna have a bad time. You force them to pay more attention to your bad driving behind them than the road ahead. Make sure there's plenty of space between you and other cars.

Pelicans and sprinklers; a handy tip for convertible drivers is to be cautious when driving under light poles with pelicans sitting on top and beware of driving past sprinklers.

[davekmoore]

Keep left (if you don't understand what this means then sell your MX-5 and buy a ute/SUV/bus)

... or stay at home, or use public transport, or get a lift from someone with a brain.

[dmad_dood]

At least in nsw you can get ur manual licence without doing a test. If you get your red p's on an auto car u have to drive auto until you get your greens - greens automatically allow you to drive manual. You will see on the back of your red p's there are "conditions" and ones an automatic car.

[Lokiel]

One of the most important lessons in a convertible, NEVER drive too close behind other vehicles:

[Doug Danger]

As Okibi stated MX5's are pretty tiny cars and it's better to drive as if you're invisible. Most motorbikes have loud exhausts and while more dangerous than any automobile they still can generally make their presence known.
One solution, get a louder exhaust system.
Ps: It also helps when you've got soccer mums riding your ass in a big SUV. Downshifting often is enough for me to get them to leave a little more braking space.

[Lokiel]

Big ass SUVs, the natural enemy of the MX5!
Another good tip is to position your car as if you were driving a motorcycle, you're hard to see so NEVER leave yourself in a blindspot.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk