basics:
Gears:
Just like an auto the 6MT has gears. Now the lower the gear the stronger it is and the SLOWER it is. for instance first gear can move the car when it's standing still, but can only take it up to like 32 mph. 6th gear will take the car up to 155, but will never be able to move the car from a dig, nor if the car is moving at 30 mph.
that's why we go from 1st (you can launch in 2nd too if u want) and we typically go thru the gears all the way to the 6th.
on freeway you probably get to 6th, in the street going like 40 you probably need up to 4th gear max. If the car roars like it's tired, shift up... if it starts shaking a bit then ur in a gear that's too high, shift down.
in MT you can skip gears like go from 1 to 3rd, or 5th to 3rd or something like that. Now why would you ever do that?
Let's say u need to accel hard to go thur a yellow light, ur in 3rd gear, u look and u see ur at 55 mph, so u decide to let the car rest so u shove it into 5th directly.
or let's say ur coming to a sudden stop and u need engine braking (generally bad idea, but in emergencies) u shift from like 5th to 3rd gear (if ur not going over the speed 3rd gear can take... around 80 or 90 mph)
Let's say ur going 120 in 4th gear and decided to to shift down to 3rd or 2nd, gear box will blow up, and engine might brake (i've seen engines shatter into pieces or melt)
Engine braking is bad generally. Engine is to move the car forward, not to stop it. Brakes are to stop the car. WHen you shift down and use engine braking you are making your clutch and synchronizers work hard, so they will wear out sooner. It is cheaper to replace brake pads than changing anything in tranny.
Clutch (plate and pedal):
(
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm) very good read
Clutch is what uses the spinning speed of engine to make the wheels turn. sits in the middle between the 2. when you push the clutch in, the clutch plate is spinning free, as you start lifting your foot the clutch plate is sticking to the wheels (well kinda.. indirectly) and tries to spin them. That's why there's an engagement point where the car starts trembling a little. you should keep your foot there for a second until the car stablizes and starts moving. if you take ur foot off too quick you will stall, and it will harm your engine bay in the long run. if you keep it there too long it will glaze and eventually wear your clutch out prematurely. so somewhere in the middle. with practice you will get the hang of it
Synchronizers:
there are basically 3 speeds that your car has: engine spinning speed (RPM), flywheel and transmission spinning speed (inside the tranny), and wheel spinning speed (your MPH). there are things that keep to synch these speeds every time you shift. they are called syrnchos, or synchronizers.
You notice, if you shift down, they will make ur RPM go up, if u shift up they will make ur RPM go down.
you dont have to worry about them right now. This is where driving 6MT becomes really fun, but first let's get basics down.
engaging (quick engage vs. slow)
again, u engage slow it will wear ur clutch plate quicker, if u engage too quick u can stall or jerk hard so u'll damage ur engine bay. moderation is always good, this will become ur second nature in no time. ur foot will automatically do it without u realizing.
Rolling:
BMW has a hill assist, so the car will give u a second or 2 before it starts rolling back at a hill. so ur good there. if it starts rolling just relax, there's plenty of time to catch the car again by letting the clutch engage (and might wanna give it a bit more gas.. just a bit)
if there's a very steep hill use e-brake. pull it up so the car doesnt roll. then do the normal operation of engaging the clutch. once the car starts wanting to move release ebrake, if you dont release e-brake you will stall.
Practice:
for now do this: go in a straight flat street, go in first gear, move the car, shift to 2nd. then stop again (make sure u depress the clutch when u come to full stop, remember clutch will match the 3 speeds? it will make the engine match the 0 mph speed of wheels, so u will stall - come to 0 RPM)
after you start getting the hang of that (do it over 10 times) go to a place where there's a hill, and start doing the same trying to catch the car as it wants to roll back. you will get it in no time
now if u are stalling on the street, do not give ears to people honking behind u. they will stress you out, and you will stall. just relax.