Driving a car with a manual transmission takes a little practice, but anyone can do it if they have the willpower. To drive a car with a manual transmission, especially a truck or other large vehicle, requires certain knowledge and shrewdness. Large vehicles that have a manual transmission will be more difficult to drive smoothly because of the larger engine size, stiffer transmission, and heavier steering wheel. However, anyone can learn to drive a manual car with enough practice and practice.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Getting Started
Step 1. Shift the shift lever to the neutral position, which is between the third and fourth gears
In the neutral state, the gear lever can be moved freely left and right.
Step 2. Fully depress the clutch
Even in neutral, depressing the clutch before starting the car's engine will prevent the car from jumping forward if you forget to do step 1.
Step 3. Start the car engine
Step 4. Then, put the gear into 1st gear
Step 5. Gradually release the clutch and at the same time step on the gas pedal until you feel a little “stuck”
You will recognize this moment when the front of the car jerks slightly and there is a slight drop in engine RPM. Release the handbrake at this point, but don't release the clutch completely.
Step 6. Continue to release the clutch slowly while pressing the gas pedal little by little
Keep the RPM slightly above zero: you can do this by increasing the throttle while consistently releasing the clutch with your left foot.
Step 7. Continue to slowly increase the gas and release the clutch little by little until the clutch is fully engaged
Step 8. Accelerate normally
Method 2 of 5: Shifting the Clutch to a Higher Gear
Step 1. Determine when you need to upshift based on engine speed
When the engine's RPM starts to exceed the normal range (generally around 2,500-3,000 RPM), you usually need to shift gears.
Note that when accelerating or going up an incline, you should usually allow the engine to rev higher than when accelerating on a flat surface. Otherwise, you will "drag" the engine causing ignition timing problems
Step 2. Begin the process of shifting gears by lifting your foot off the gas pedal and depressing the clutch
Make sure you fully depress the clutch before moving the gear lever or the gears will collide.
Step 3. Move the shift lever to the next highest gear
Step 4. Release the clutch and increase the speed
Like when you start, the clutch and throttle must be adjusted at the same time to ensure smooth shifting, but usually when the car is in motion, you can release the clutch a little faster than when you started the car.
Step 5. Put your hands back on the steering wheel
- Why? This way, you'll have better control of the vehicle if you want to make a turn.
- When changing gears, you push the shift fork into the rotating collar and you then push the collar into the desired gear. If you hold the gear lever, you have a static object (shift fork) that is pushed into the rotating collar and will cause the fork to wear out due to the applied pressure.
Method 3 of 5: Lowering Teeth
Step 1. Just like when shifting gears, you must use speed to determine when to downshift
When the RPM starts to decrease, you will feel the engine vibrate slightly, and the accelerator response decreases.
- Usually, you have to downshift as you slow down to make a turn. In general, you should slow down by hitting the brakes before turning.
- After reducing speed, downshift and use the engine to make a smooth turn. Do not do "coasters" when turning because it can reduce your ability to control the vehicle. Coasting is a situation when you are driving with the clutch fully depressed or in neutral.
Step 2. Begin a gear change by lifting your foot off the gas pedal and depressing the clutch
You have to lift your foot off the gas pedal a little earlier than pressing the clutch so that the engine doesn't revving when releasing the clutch.
Step 3. Depress the clutch all the way down, then shift the shift lever to a smaller gear
Step 4. Release the coping slowly
This action will start to increase the engine speed. Use the gas pedal to match the engine speed with the transmission.
Step 5. Finally, remove the clutch completely
Method 4 of 5: Stopping the Car
Step 1. Leave the gear in position and start braking
Step 2. Reduce the speed until the RPM is just slightly above 0
Step 3. Depress the clutch and shift the gear lever into a smaller gear
For example if you are approaching an intersection and have to give way, shift the gear lever into 2nd gear (commonly known as second), then you can release the clutch (to rest your feet and prevent wear on the clutch bearings).
Step 4. Continue to apply the brakes as usual until the car almost stops
Step 5. Just before stopping (usually less than 1 km/h), depress the clutch so the car doesn't stop while continuing to brake
If you are going downhill, apply the handbrake and then release the brake pedal.
Method 5 of 5: Stopping on an Incline
Step 1. Press the brake pedal until you come to a complete stop, then apply the handbrake to hold the car in place and prevent it from moving backwards
Step 2. When you want to start the car again, release the clutch slightly while increasing the gas as you did in the previous method
Step 3. As soon as the car starts to “get stuck”, release the handbrake
Step 4. At this stage, the car should be moving forward, but you may need to practice
Continue releasing the clutch little by little while pressing the gas pedal until the clutch returns to the starting position.
The faster you remove the clutch, the less wear it will wear. So ideally you release the clutch as quickly as possible while still running the car smoothly
Tips
- Don't concentrate too much on the engine RPM, but try to focus on the balance between releasing the clutch and pressing the gas pedal. Imagine the two as opposites while accelerating from a standstill. For example, imagine a two-cylinder engine; as one piston goes down, the other is forced up, each in the opposite position. Try to imitate this movement with the clutch and gas pedal.
- In the UK and many other countries, " coasting" not allowed. Coasting means stopping the car with only the brakes, while the gears are in neutral. This action is dangerous because the driver may need to increase speed to avoid unforeseen risks on the road and it will take time to shift the gear lever from neutral for you to do so.
- If you stop for a long time, move the shift lever to neutral and lift your foot out of the clutch. This will prevent foot fatigue and premature wear of the clutch system.
- When increasing or decreasing speed, try to align the gearshift with any bumps or potholes in the road as changes in terrain can be transferred to the engine making the ride not smooth. In general, driving through unpredictable terrain is easier if you slow down.
- In some countries, except in emergency stop situations, the driver must stop in “second gear”. Likewise, when approaching an intersection, crossroads, roundabout or zebra cross, the driver must reduce the speed to appropriate second gear if there is no traffic light there.
- The transition between slowing down and picking up speed will be rougher on a manual car than on an automatic car. The gear teeth transfer pressure in one direction (decelerate) and must change and transfer pressure in the opposite direction when accelerating. The automatic transmission will be smoother because the torque converter is sticky.
- Smooth driving (in whatever situation can be done smoothly on an automatic transmission) is almost completely dependent on the clutch. Slowly releasing the clutch and stopping it from entering the locked position will help you drive the car more smoothly.
- These steps will be useful for smaller vehicles like sedans (and similar) which have a lighter steering wheel and less stiff clutch, but are not necessary as these cars can drive more smoothly than the larger versions of the vehicle.
Warning
- Try practicing some of these techniques in a place that is safe from other drivers or pedestrians. Ideal places are vacant parking lots or private properties if you have permission to access them..
- There is a myth that says that doing a coasting while going downhill and letting the car go because of gravity with a neutral gear position can save fuel. This proved to be untrue and also dangerous.
- Always obey the traffic rules in your area.
