Tips on driving a stick shift

Okay.... like I said in my previous posts

driving a manual transmission car

can cause some intimidation to the driver.

But with the right tips on driving a stick shift

and enough practice,

it becomes something quite simple

and pleasent to do.

:)

Here is a few tips that has helped me,

teach my boyfriend....

The first thing you will notice is that there are 3 pedals instead of 2.

These 3 pedals are from left to right:

 the clutch,

the brake,

and the gas pedal.

After that you will notice the pretty little clutch in the center.

aka your new best friend!!!

 In an automatic transmission car the car itself shifts gears automatically for you,

but in a stick shift, this is where the fun is.....because YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for shifting the gears.

Gears ranging from 1 to 5.

Another important part of your car, is your hand parking break.

You must always engage the hand brake on your car when parked, or when not in use

or your car will roll.. due to GRAVITY!

(trust me, the smallest hill will make your car roll)

Okay,

so to start the car, press down on the clutch (all the way!! yes, floor it), then start your car.

While pressing down the cluth, put the car on first gear (this is the heaviest gear, I like to think of it as the "take-off and parking only gear")

With your foot still pressed on the clutch, apply the foot brake and release the parking brake

then slowly release it from the break, and gently put it on the gas pedal,

(but do not accelerae just yet)

Gently begin to release your foot off the cluth, SLOWLY!!!!

when you feel your car start to "shake" and move forward

you can apply a little gas to accelerate.

It is a give and take movemet.

Give a little gas, while releasing the clutch a little.

PLEASE NOTE:

This process is the most important and the hardest when learning to drive a stick shift.

You must be able to feel the point where the car is needing for you to give it a little gas.

DO NOT remove your foot too quickly from the clutch

or else IT WILL STALL.

Once the car starts moving forward, you can then press the clutch all the way down again and switch to second gear. In each gear you will have to release the clutch gently while pressing down on the accelerator.

WARNING:

 Make sure that you are not pressing the accelerator and clutch at the same time.

 This may cause damage to your clutch.

Every 15 mph you can switch to a higher gear.

The same process you use when shifting upwards is the same used to downshift your vehicle.

 Always shift to second gear to stop and make turns.

PLEASE NOTE: 

 Do not use first gear, unless you are parking, or taking off from being at a complete stop because it will cause your manual transmission vehicle to jerk.

To drive your vehicle in reverse, you will have to follow the same directions.

If you are parallel parking, reverse SOLELY using the cluth.

the more you release it, the more your car will move

making it possible to back up and readjust your vehicle

without having to gas it.

I hope this helps,

keep in mind that

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Working the clutch

is something that will come natural to you

once you have had plenty of practice

and exposure to it.

GOOODLUCK DOLLS!