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How to drive a Manual Transmission (Stick-Shift) Vehicle

Oct 29th, 2009 by DGodfrey123
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Have you ever joined in a discussion with friends, who can drive stick and who can't? Has your friend ever let you borrow a car but you couldn't drive it because it was a standard? Here's a guide to beginning to drive manual, practice, you'll be a pro.

Step 1 

Your first step, is to start the vehicle. Unlike an automatic transmission vehicle, manual transmissions require the clutch (in most modern cars) to be pressed, while turning the vehicle on. Take your left foot, and press down the clutch (the far left pedal) all the way down. Turn on the vehicle as you would a normal vehicle, but make sure that the gearbox (the shifter) is placed in the Neutral position. To make sure the gear is in Neutral, you can easily slide the shifter horizontally without it stopping. Turn the car on, you can let go of the clutch if the vehicle is on and the shifter is in neutral. Make sure the vehicle has the handbrake on to avoid moving.

  • Step 2

    Now that the vehicle is on, you are ready to go!
    Make sure your foot is pressed down on the clutch before shifting. The first gear you must use in order to move forward, is first gear. Put your right foot, as you would with an automatic vehicle, on the brake (the middle pedal), then remove the handbrake (Press down on the button on the handbrake, and push the handbrake down.) The vehicle is now only kept stationary by the actual brake, your right foot. Now, push your left foot all the way in, and move the shifter towards the (1) first gear position by slowly moving the shifter up to the left.

    Now, slowly release the clutch pedal (your left foot) and keep an eye on the RPM gauge, while keeping your foot on the brake. (Keep in mind this is an excercise for beginners). Get a feel for the clutch, as to where you feel the clutch is starting to "catch". As you slowly let the clutch up, keep your eyes on the RPM gauge. When the RPM's begin to drop, that is the key point in which the transmission hooks up to the engine, the point that you want to reach. Keep in mind the engine will stall if you release the clutch to early. After seeing the RPMs drop, push the clutch all the way back in again.

  • Step 3

    Now that you have a feel for the clutch, it is time to try moving!
    Slowly release the clutch pedal, as you let go of the brake. You will begin to move backwards, with practice the time you move backwards will be minor. As you let your left foot out, slowly rev the engine up to a mid 1500 RPM, as you reach the level in which the RPM's drop, add a little more gas as the car begins to move forward, when it feels as though the engine is fully in gear, remove the clutch pedal completely. You are now in first gear.

  • Step 4

    Practice launching in first gear multiple times. Stop the car by pressing in the clutch pedal, shifting the transmission into Neutral, and braking.
    Now we will try shifting into second and the higher gears. Upshifting is the same throughout all the higher gears, although the hardest gear to shift into will always be the first gear. Once the car is moving, you will be able to do the same by shifting (clutch pedal press, then shift gear, then let out the clutch while simultaneously adding a little gas).

    After your car begins moving in first gear, and you are at a optimum (for gas consumption) RPM to shift into the higher gear (2500-3500) RPM zone, you need to press in the clutch (you must always press in the clutch to shift), select the higher gear (2nd from 1st gear, slide the shifter down past neutral, its the opposite side as first gear), slowly let out the clutch after the transmission is in second gear, and add gas as you do so. It may be jerky the first times through, but focus on adding just the little amount of gas needed to make the shift nice and smooth.

  • TIPS AND WARNINGS

    Remember that in order to shift, you must always press in the clutch.
  • In order to brake, you must under no circumstances shift into a gear lower than 2nd while slowing down, otherwise you will over-rev your engine.
  • Remember to remove the handbrake before taking off, otherwise your engine and transmission may suffer damage.
  • Remember to practice, and that persistance is the only way you will get used to it.
  • Remember that almost all of us "stall" the motor when we first begin. Just press in the clutch, shift the shifter into neutral, and try again.
  • Pay attention to all street signs and traffic laws.
  • Try to learn when you begin on roads that have little to no traffic, preferably parking lots.
  • Keep in mind, that when raining and on hills the vehicle will move back further when trying to go into first gear.
  • Do not over-rev your engine over the redline portion of the RPM gauge.
    • DGodfrey123

    Written by DGodfrey123

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    Comments

    Nancy Hardin, over a year ago
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    This reminded me of when (years ago) I had to learn to drive a stick shift for my job as an Army Recruiter. Those were the only kind of cars we had, and one of my fellow recruiters had to take me to an empty stadium parking lot, and teach me how to drive it. Needless to say, it was a hilarious experience. Thanks and 5* for this story.

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