How to Drive Manual
Have you ever wanted to learn at least the basics of how to drive a manual transmission? Luckily, the basic concepts of starting to move a manual transmission car and shifting through the gears is a process anyone can learn. This guide will help you out.Steps
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Try to get on level ground. Put your seat belt on once you get in. While learning, it's better to roll down the windows. This helps to better hear the engine sound and adjust the gear changes accordingly.- The one on the far left is the clutch , the middle one is the brake, and then the gas/accelerator is on the far right (CBA). This layout is the same for both left hand drive and right hand drive vehicles.
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Learn what the clutch does:- The clutch disengages the spinning engine from the spinning wheels and allows you to switch gears without grinding the teeth of each separate gear.
- Before you switch gears (moving up or down), the clutch must be depressed.
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Adjust the seat position forward enough to allow you to press the clutch pedal (the left pedal, next to the brake pedal) fully to the floor with your left foot. -
Press the clutch pedal and hold it to the floor. This would also be a good time to take note of how the travel of the clutch pedal differs from that of the brake and gas, and it is a good idea to get used to slowly and steadily releasing the clutch pedal. -
Move the gear shift knob to neutral. This is the middle position that feels free when moved from side to side. The vehicle is considered out of gear when:- the gear shift is in the neutral position, or
- the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
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Start the engine with the key, making sure to keep the clutch pedal held to the floor. -
Once the engine is started, you can remove your foot from the clutch pedal (as long as it is in neutral). -
Press the clutch to the floor again and move the gear shift knob to first gear. It should be the upper left position, and there should be some kind of visual layout of the gear pattern on top of the gear shift knob. -
Slowly lift your foot up from the clutch pedal until you hear the engine speed begin to drop, then push it back in. Repeat this several times until you can instantly recognize the sound. This is the friction point. -
In order to get moving, lift your foot up from the clutch pedal until the RPMs (revs) drop slightly and apply light pressure to the accelerator (GAS). Balance the light downward pressure on the accelerator with slowly releasing pressure on the clutch pedal. You will probably have to do this several times to find the right combination of pressure up and down. Another way of doing it is to release the clutch until the moment during which the engine revs down a little and then applying pressure on the accelerator as the clutch engages. At this point the car will start to move. It is best to have the engine rev just enough to prevent stalling as the clutch pedal is let up. This process may be a little difficult at first because you are new to the 3 pedals in manual. Always be ready to pull the hand brake to stop in emergency till you have learned.- If you release the clutch too quickly the car will stall. If the engine sounds like it is going to stall, then hold the clutch where it is or even push it further in slightly. Excessive engine speed while the clutch is between fully up and fully depressed will wear out the clutch parts prematurely resulting in slippage or smoking of the clutch parts at the transmission.
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When driving, when your RPM reaches about 2500 to 3000, it is time to shift into second gear. Remember though that it depends fully on the car you are driving what RPM the tachometer will reach before you must change gear. Your engine will begin to race and speed up, and you must learn to recognize this noise. Apply pressure downward on the clutch pedal and guide the gear shift knob straight down from 1st gear into the bottom left position.- Some cars have a "Shift Light" or indications on the speedometer that will tell you when you need to shift so you don't rev the engine too fast.
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Push down on the gas very slightly and slowly release the clutch pedal. -
Once in gear and on the gas you should completely remove your foot from the clutch pedal. Resting your foot on the clutch pedal is a bad habit, and applies pressure to the clutch mechanism — the increased pressure could allow the clutch to wear prematurely. -
When you have to stop, release right foot off accelerator to the brake pedal and press down as much as required and as you slow to about 10 mph (16 km/h) you will feel the car about to start shaking and vibrating. Press the clutch pedal fully down and move the gear shift to neutral to prevent stalling. -
Once you have mastered it, driving a manual is fun. You now can rev the engine in any gear for a sportier feel or for a greener pace choose to shift gears at lower rpms.
Answered Questions
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Can I go from the first gear to the third gear?
- While you can, it is preferable that you pass through second gear first before third.
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What do L and B stand for on the gear shift?
- L stands for low gear, useful for hills or snowy conditions. B is the Prius term for engine braking, but you do not need to use it in most conditions.
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Do you always have to move through the neutral when changing from one gear to the other?
- Yes, though it occurs in one quick action. You may not notice you have moved through neutral after doing it many times, but every time you are changing gears, neutral is an inevitable pass.
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What is the correct process for changing gears?
- Press the clutch pedal down and release the accelerator pedal at the same time. Shift gears, then slowly release the clutch and press the accelerator at the same time.
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Do I need to depress the clutch while braking?
- Depress the clutch while braking if you are slowing enough to drop gears. Err on the side of using the clutch as a beginner, until you get the hang of it. Ignore the clutch in an emergency braking situation.
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How do you put the car into brake?
- Push the brake pedal when you feel the car start to shake. Then put your foot on the clutch and move the gear shifter to neutral, to prevent stalling.
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Is it necessary to press the clutch while starting a car when it is in the neutral position?
- It depends on the car you are trying to drive. Try starting it without pressing the clutch, and if it doesn't start, then press it.
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How do I drive a manual off-road?
- This is much easier if you have features like four wheel drive (slippery ground, moderate vertical slopes) or 4LO (steep slopes). Off-road clutch operation can take practice, so travel with someone experienced if you can.
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What does RPM stand for?
- RPM stands for (tire) Revolutions Per Minute. Engines have an optimal RPM for peak acceleration.
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How do I reverse in the car and proceed without jumping?
- Release the hand brake and from neutral while pressing clutch; bring the gear to the R position, then release the clutch slowly and simultaneously apply slow pressure to the accelerator to enable you to move the car back. Then proceed as usual to move forward.
Tips
- Do not get distracted while driving such as by texting. This may cause serious injury or even death if you accidentally crash.
- Learn to recognize the sounds of your engine; you should eventually be able to tell when to change gears without relying on the tachometer.
- During sub freezing temperatures, it is not advisable to leave a car for a long time with the handbrake (parking brake) engaged. Moisture will freeze and the handbrake might not disengage.
- When you want to go on a bump,you hold down your clutch and press your brake slightly to slow down and later release the clutch gradually and apply the accelerator gradually to move.
- If you are having difficulty starting the car from a stop, make sure that you are slowly letting off the clutch. Pause at the friction point (the part where the engine starts to move the car) and continue slowly pulling the clutch out.
- If there is no gear position posted on the shifter, make sure to ask someone who is familiar with the vehicle how the gears are arranged. The last thing you want is to back into something (or someone) when you think you've shifted into first gear.
- Make sure you push the clutch all the way in before shifting to the next gear.
- Make sure not to rest your left foot on the clutch while driving.
- Practice so that you can shift gears without looking at the stick. That way you can keep your eyes on the road.
- To learn immediately, don't drive in the streets until you master the First/Reverse Gear. Practice driving without applying gas when releasing the clutch. Then practice 100 times with and without applying the accelerator. Do the same with reverse gear. After that then you will be ready to go.
Warnings
- Try to watch if you are on a hill or a steep area. You can roll back and hit the person or object behind you if you are not holding in the brake and clutch.
- Stop completely before shifting into reverse no matter which direction the car is rolling. Shifting into reverse while the car is in motion will damage most manual transmissions.
- When you stalled the engine many times and try to start it back again, give the starter and the battery a break of 5 to 10 minutes to avoid overheating and damage to the starter and discharging the battery completely.
- Keep an eye on the tachometer until you are comfortable with a manual. A manual transmission requires more experience than an automatic. Over rev the engine, and severe damage to the engine may result.
- It is strongly recommended to stop completely before going from reverse to another gear. However it is possible on most manual transmissions to shift into first or possibly second when the car is moving backwards at a slow speed, but it is not recommended as this can cause excessive wear on the clutch.