Manual Transmission...Safety Issue!!!

[tomato]

Originally Posted by chrisj

I always pushed clutches in vehicles all the way to the floor. Habit I guess. Is this the issue with the Yaris? Not doing it far enough? I was thinking about the next one I get (one for me this time) may be a stick, but now I don't know.

Yah, that clutch wants to be pushed *all the way* and won't accept it if you're 2mm off.

I remember the night I drove that car from the dealership, I got into some serious trouble on the freeway when I had almost reached San Francisco. At some point, I downshifted to 2d to make the turn, and the gears were completely stuck... couldn't get out of the way, couldn't move the car ... ugh.... don't know how I did it but I managed to shift anyway and get going. But the next day, the car did not want to start at all. After trying a number of things, we discovered that the car wouldn't start because the mat was stuck under the pedal, and that was the problem. Turned out when they detailed the car at the dealership before giving it to me, they forgot to hook up the mats (they have holes and you're supposed to hook them into place under the seat).


I stalled the Yaris in city driving for a good couple of weeks after that incident anyway because the clutch's friction points are so different from any other car I've ever driven. Reverse was OK for me but boy, I really hated that 1st gear for **a while** and almost had to re-learn how to paralel park (even though I've done it every day for *years*) because of the pillar causing a huge blind spot

The Yaris and I are BFF's now, finally, but oh boy we had a rough start, I remember that.

[road_hog]

My 09 Yaris has an electronic throttle and isn't as quick to respond as other cars I've had with direct linkages. I know exactly what you're talking about. The clutch will catch before the engine has a chance to rev. You just have to give the accelerator a little lead time.

[DebbyM46227]

I've been driving MT's for over 30 years - for the first month with my Yaris, taking off from a dead stop I either killed the engine or revved it way too high and burned rubber. Now I have no trouble taking off in 1st gear, it's just the engine revving up between gears when I know I've taken my foot off the accelerator that sounds strange.

[Al_]

Never had an issue here, I was always taught to get the clutch to the friction point and then to lift my toes inside my shoes to get a clean transfer and it hasn't failed me yet.

There is some lag in the throttle between gears, before I would release the gas and push in the clutch at the same time for changes, with the yaris I wait until my foot is off the throttle before pushing in the clutch which makes the shifts perfect

[wooverstone8]

I don't think there is a safety issue with the Yaris manual transmission. I honestly had problems the first month or two stalling or over revving the engine, but I got over it. After that it became a fun to drive car and I rarely stall it these days. Some people just give up too soon.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

I've been driving MT's for over 30 years - for the first month with my Yaris, taking off from a dead stop I either killed the engine or revved it way too high and burned rubber. Now I have no trouble taking off in 1st gear, it's just the engine revving up between gears when I know I've taken my foot off the accelerator that sounds strange.

I was wondering how you transitioned from Honda to Yaris.
Completely different experience IMO.



I agree, I wouldn't call it a "safety issue" but people should probably be aware that there is a bit of a curve in the beginning. 2c

[marcus]

ive only driven slow cars..so clutch on these car from dead stop are no issues at all. i find it all the same.. oh by the way most toyota workers dont know how to adjust from car after cars dont know why but they do istall my car as well whenever i bring it there..

[why?]

I hate this clutch. I think I am going to get a throttle controller as soon as I can afford it.

[chrisj]

Originally Posted by tomato

After trying a number of things, we discovered that the car wouldn't start because the mat was stuck under the pedal, and that was the problem.

Yeah, when I had my Tacoma, my wife would come in the house telling me the truck wouldn't start. It was the same thing...the mat...every time.

[kingbobby83]

I have a 2009 sedan 5 speed and yes when I first got it , I stalled a few times. Even though I drive Toyotas all day everyday.. I work in the service dept. as a shop lead over the lube techs. I have been known to stall other models too. The reason is that each clutch is diffrent. But once you drive YOURS and get used to it's "points", it is soooo much fun to drive. I rev the rpms up a little before taking off and then just ease on down the road.I have never heard of a "Saftey Issue" or another complaint of this in my three years with Toyota...