Aligning shift knob

[PattonD]

Teaching our 15 year old how to drive a manual, and today went really well. She was able to drive it around the neighborhood, get rolling from a complete stop and shift into second (mostly) without stalling.

One thing she asked if I could get the knob aligned correctly so she could easily refer to the shift pattern as she learns.

As you can see in the photo, tight is about 15 degrees too far. Is there a shim I can put under the knob? Can the shifter shaft be rotated somehow?

Thanks

 

[CharlesHS]

To clock the medallion with the numbers in the direction you want. You can use a hair drier to assist you in removing the medallion from the shifter knob using a small screw driver to lift the medallion.

 

[Frank M]

You might be able to twist it. If not, you can remove the cap that has the shift pattern on and reposition it.
I would use a heat gun or hair dryer to make it easier to remove.

 

[Frank M]

Lol @CharlesHS beat me to it

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The plastic shift pattern snaps into place in the shift knob. You can pop it out with a small flat blade screwdriver, warming the knob first with a hair dryer can make the job easier.

 

[PattonD]

Didn’t even think about the center coming out. Thanks guys

 

[dbbd1]

While you have the shift pattern cap off, take a picture of it. Then print the pic and tape it to the dash, so she can see the pattern without looking down and taking her eyes off of the road.

 

[mrblaine]

Didn’t even think about the center coming out. Thanks guys

Did anyone mention that you need to warm the plastic up first to pop the cap out? In case they didn't, you need to warm up the plastic shifter handle to pop the cap out. The cap goes down about 3/8" and then has a flange that snaps into a groove.

If the shifter knob is loose, tighten the nut on the shifter handle after you warm up the plastic shifter knob and pop the cap out. Then you can warm up the plastic shifter knob to help ease the cap back into place turned the right way so as to assist your progeny's lessons. If it wasn't mentioned, the lip around the cap will be highly deformed from digging it out with the flat blade on your little screwdriver, so warming it back up and massaging it back into place will help hide your handiwork.

If it wasn't clear, a heat gun is your best buddy in this endeavor.

 

[mrblaine]

While you have the shift pattern cap off, take a picture of it. Then print the pic and tape it to the dash, so she can see the pattern without looking down and taking her eyes off of the road.

I was looking for a way to mention that where I didn't come across as an ass, thanks for rescuing me.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

I was looking for a way to mention that where I didn't come across as an ass, thanks for rescuing me.

That may have been a good reason. I don't always have good reasons but sometimes I do things anyway, like suggest they take a Sharpie Marker, maybe of her favorite color, draw a 12" x 12" sized shift pattern on the windshield right in front of her and refer to that as a heads up display.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I would think discouraging her from looking at the shift knob is a good thing. Odd numbers up, even numbers down. 3rd or 4th without moving the lever left or right, just up or down. Might take a little longer to learn but the results will be better.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

By the way, let's not assume she will need to see the shift pattern for very long. Most people pick it up in a very short period of time if not minutes.

 

[TheBoogieman]

How did everyone learn how to drive a manual trans and not die? My Dad picked the steepest hills on the road and made me stop on them. You learn very quickly NOT to roll backwards.

 

[Apparition]

How did everyone learn how to drive a manual trans and not die? My Dad picked the steepest hills on the road and made me stop on them. You learn very quickly NOT to roll backwards.

Here’s what mine says

 

[Jerry Bransford]

How did everyone learn how to drive a manual trans and not die? My Dad picked the steepest hills on the road and made me stop on them. You learn very quickly NOT to roll backwards.

I didn't have a teacher, I learned on my own one night at age 16 when I had to drive my sister's VW beetle 3-4 miles home.

 

[CharlesHS]

I also taught myself after purchasing a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 with a 4 speed.
I would roll down my parents steep driveway; then operate the clutch and gas until I could drive up the steep driveway without stalling.

 

[PattonD]

How did everyone learn how to drive a manual trans and not die? My Dad picked the steepest hills on the road and made me stop on them. You learn very quickly NOT to roll backwards.

She’s doing fine with shift, as does her older sister in her 6 sp MINI.

 

[PattonD]

I also taught myself after purchasing a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 with a 4 speed.
I would roll down my parents steep driveway; then operate the clutch and gas until I could drive up the steep driveway without stalling.

My dad put me in his truck on the family land, had me drive all over the farm roads

 

[P man]

I also taught myself after purchasing a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 with a 4 speed.
I would roll down my parents steep driveway; then operate the clutch and gas until I could drive up the steep driveway without stalling.

I can still smell the clutch burning..