Originally Posted by oledoc2u

you know having driven big rigs my whole life...there are plenty of ways for you to cheat in traffic w/ a stick...you just need to practice and get use to it...pop it out of gear when setting at lts...coast...when moving slow, putting it back in gear to stop, then take it back out of gear.....I don't even think about shifting anymore, it just happens...you can make an auto out of stick if you practive...you don't have to shift every gear 1 to 3, 4 for most traffic...probably could take off in 2nd, but I wouldn't...you have to make your commute fun...you have to pace yourself thru traffic w/ a stick letting her roll up to other cars, not pushing in on the clutch until you just have to...you don't want to stay w/ traffic, you just want to move alone w/ it...don't be impatient, leave room in front of you to coast...I rarely ever stop at a stop lt, I just roll up to it, timing it so I can go w/ the rest of the traffic...momentum is your friend...always rolling...running to stop lt to stop lt, braking each time gets old...wears out brakes...find you a way to have fun w/ it...