just got my 96 civic ex, couple weeks ago

i'm having hard time to engage the clutch smoothly

especially at 1st gear, or anytime i up-shift below 3k rpm

have to rev it above 3k rpm, and release the clutch much slower than any
other cars i've driven, in order to have a smooth engagement

wonder if thats normal for civics, or the clutch is worn?

according to owner's manual recommended shift speeds, approx 3.1k rpm
before upshift, isnt thats a little high? or civic's torque is really that low?

 

The torque on Honda motors is pretty pathetic, so if you are having issues with engaging the clutch, shift a little higher until you find the spot that works for you. I cannot shift anywhere under 4k rpms. But I have a GSR, which revs much higher anyway. The recommended shift points in the owners manual make the car way too slow to even bear, so shift a little higher to get the acceleration you need/want and the clutch to engage a little smoother.

 

i agree with shmoo. but the weird thing is when it snowed this winter and it was really icey i shifted from 1-2 at 2krpm and then 2-3 at 2krpm and so on to 4th and when i was doin that my car shifted fine and the clutch engaged just as smooth as it does at 4k rpm

 

I shift at 2k rpm most of the time. But then again I have full torque at slightly over idle. h:

 

i've shifted at the honda recommended points before and it was insanely smooth. wasn't blazing fast obviously but u could barely tell it was a 5spd lol.

on normal driving i shift around 3500

 

What's with you F1 daily drivers? In my del Sol Si, I shifted right at 3k rpm and never had a single issue, because I can actually drive a manual and would end up accelerating faster than cars with gobs more torque. This, of course is in a normal traffic situation. I didn't floor the car. The 96 has a MUCH shorter clutch engagement than the EG. You get used to it. I actually prefer the 96+ clutch.

 

Falkons got a point. Shifting gears at speed is a lot like with take off. You just have to find that sweet spot. Get the clutch right and the car rips forward. Do it the wrong way and you end up moving out like extra slow and that puts exess wear on the clutch.

 

i shift at redline about 7200rpms......

 

i reccommend to shift around 3k when the car is not warmed up yet, after that anything is fair game...

 

i always bounce it off the rev limiter when i upshift, i never had any problems yet :dunno: in all seriousness i would shift at 3k, good for speed and gas mileage.