The basic concepts concerning starting and changing the gears of a manual transmission car are quite elementary and within everyone's reach. To drive the vehicle you need to familiarize yourself with the clutch, become skilled at handling the shift lever, practice starting, braking and shifting gears based on speed.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Learning the Fundamentals
Step 1. Begin by practicing on a level road with the car turned off
If this is your first time driving a manual transmission car, start slowly and methodically. Once seated, fasten your seat belt; While learning the basics, it is worth rolling down the windows to hear the sound of the engine and shift gears accordingly.
The pedal on the left is the clutch pedal, in the center you find the brake pedal and the accelerator control on the right; this arrangement is the same for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars
Step 2. Learn the function of the clutch
Before you hit this unfamiliar pedal, take a moment to know what it's for.
- The clutch deactivates the connection between the engine and the wheels; when one or both elements turn, this device allows you to change gear without damaging the sprockets of each gear.
- Before shifting from one gear to another (towards a higher or lower gear), you must depress the clutch pedal.
Step 3. Adjust the seat position so that you can operate this pedal to its full range of motion
Move the seat forward to allow you to press the control with your left foot (the pedal to the left of the brake) until it makes contact with the floor of the cabin.
Step 4. Press the pedal and hold it close to the floor
Take advantage of this exercise to realize the different excursion between the various pedals; you should also try to slowly release that command.
If you have only used automatic machines so far, you may feel a little awkward using your left foot; with a little practice you are able to coordinate the movements of the two lower limbs
Step 5. Place the shift lever in the neutral (neutral) position
This is the center point from which the lever can move freely from side to side. The transmission is considered to be in neutral when:
- The lever is in neutral position;
- The clutch pedal is fully depressed.
- Do not try to use the lever without first operating the clutch, otherwise you will not be able to move it.
Step 6. Start the engine with the key making sure the transmission is still in neutral
Also check that the parking brake is activated before starting the car, especially if you are a beginner.
Some cars start when the gearbox is in neutral without pressing the clutch pedal, but not the most modern models
Step 7. Take your foot off the clutch with the transmission in the neutral position
If the road surface is level, the car should not move; if you are uphill or downhill, it may retreat or advance. If you feel ready to move and drive, remember to deactivate the parking brake before proceeding.
Part 2 of 4: Advancing into First March
Step 1. Depress the clutch fully and move the shift lever to first gear
It should be forward and to the left; most vehicles have a diagram of the various ratios right on the top of the lever.
The gear arrangement may vary, so take a moment to study it; it is advisable to practice a little by selecting the various gears with the engine still off (and the clutch pedal fully depressed)
Step 2. Slowly lift your foot off the clutch pedal
Continue until you feel the engine speed decrease and then press it again; repeat this exercise several times until you learn to recognize the noise immediately. The pedal position that corresponds to this sound variation is the "release" point of the clutch.
This is where you need to simultaneously press the accelerator and provide enough power to the engine when shifting gears to get moving or continue driving
Step 3. Take your foot off the clutch as you press the accelerator
In order for the car to move, take your left foot off the pedal until the engine revs drop slightly and simultaneously press the gas pedal a little with your right foot. Balance the release movement of the left foot with the pressure movement of the right; you will probably have to try several times before you develop the correct "sensitivity".
- Alternatively, you can release the clutch until the engine revs reduce a bit and then apply pressure on the gas as the clutch engages; at this point, the car starts to move. It is much better to make sure that the engine revolutions are sufficient to avoid it shutting down as you lift the clutch pedal. At first this procedure is a bit complex because you are not used to handling three pedals.
- Fully release the clutch (then take your foot off the pedal) when the car begins to move in first gear.
Step 4. During the first few attempts you will have the engine shut off a few times
If you release the clutch too quickly, the engine will stall; if you notice from the noise that it is about to happen, hold the clutch pedal where it is or press it a little more. If the car dies, push the clutch all the way down, apply the handbrake, select neutral gear and restart the engine as usual. Don't panic.
Excessively increase the engine speed with the clutch fully pressed and wear the mechanisms prematurely; if so, the clutch slips or the transmission parts emit smoke. In jargon this procedure is called "scrubbing" and you should avoid it
Part 3 of 4: Changing Relationships in Motion and Stopping
Step 1. Recognize when it's time to upgrade
When the number of revolutions reaches the value of 2500-3000 and the car is moving, it is time to move on to the next gear, for example to the second if you have selected the first at the moment. However, it is necessary to change gear when the engine reaches a certain number of revolutions according to the type of vehicle; the engine starts to accelerate and spin with power and you need to recognize this type of noise.
- Press the clutch until it disengages and move the gear lever to the lower left (the most common position for selecting the second gear).
- Some cars are equipped with a warning light or other indicator that warns that it is time to shift gears to prevent the engine from revving too high.
Step 2. Gently press the accelerator and release the clutch
Shifting gears on the go is a very similar process to engaging the first gear from a standstill. It's all a matter of listening, observing and "feeling" the motor signals, as well as coordination between the two feet that operate the pedals; keep practicing until you master the technique.
Once you have selected the correct gear and pressed the accelerator, you should completely take your foot off the clutch; leaving it resting is a very bad habit because in doing so you exert a slight pressure on the mechanism that causes it to wear out ahead of time
Step 3. Shift to a lower gear as you slow down
If you are moving too slowly for the selected gear, the car starts to jerk as if it is about to shut down. To reduce the gear while in motion, follow the same sequence by pressing the clutch pedal and releasing the accelerator pedal; select the ratio you want (for example switch from third to second) and press the accelerator as you take your foot away from the clutch.
Step 4. Stop completely
To do this in a controlled manner, gradually select the lower ratios until you reach the first. When the time comes to stop, lift your right foot off the accelerator by moving it onto the brake pedal and applying the necessary pressure. When you hit 15 km / h, the car should be about to vibrate and shake; then press the clutch pedal to the floor and move the gear lever to neutral to prevent the engine from stopping. Use the brake pedal to completely stop the movement.
You can stop in whatever gear the transmission is in by fully depressing the clutch and using the brake as you move the shift lever to neutral. You should only follow this procedure when you need to stop the vehicle quickly, because in this way you have less control of the vehicle
Part 4 of 4: Practice and Troubleshoot
Step 1. Practice a simple route with the support of a driver who is experienced in manual transmission vehicles
Although you can practice alone and on public roads completely legally as long as you have a valid driving license, you can learn the "tricks" of this type of driving faster with the support of another person. It starts in an isolated and flat area, like a large empty parking lot, and then moves on to the back roads with little traffic. Follow the same track several times until you start developing the appropriate automatisms.
Step 2. Avoid stopping and starting on steep hills at first
When you are making your first attempts at driving with this type of car, plan routes on flat roads avoiding traffic lights and hills. Your reaction times and coordination to manage the shift lever, brake pedals, acceleration and clutch must be well developed to avoid sliding backwards when shifting into first gear.
You must learn to quickly move your right foot from brake to accelerator smoothly while simultaneously releasing the clutch pedal. If necessary, you can use the parking brake to limit rearward movement, but remember to always release it before starting to move forward
Step 3. Learn parking maneuvers, especially uphill and downhill
Unlike cars with an automatic transmission, those with a manual transmission do not have a parking ratio ("P"). Selecting the neutral position of the gear lever allows the car to move freely, especially if the road is sloping; always engage the handbrake, but don't rely on this device alone when parking.
- If the vehicle is on a hill, shift the gear lever to neutral, then engage first gear and activate the parking brake. If it is on a slope, repeat the same procedure but select reverse to prevent the wheels from moving downhill.
- If the slope is very steep or you just want to be very careful, you can also put wedges behind the tires to block them.
Step 4. Come to a complete stop before shifting from forward gear to reverse (and vice versa)
By doing this, you minimize the chances of severely damaging the gearbox.
- It is strongly recommended that you come to a complete stop before shifting from reverse to first gear. However, on many cars it is possible to select the first or even the second gear when the vehicle is still moving slowly backwards; however, this practice is not recommended because it wears the clutch too much.
- On some cars the reverse gear is equipped with a locking mechanism that prevents accidental insertion. Before selecting it, check that you are aware of the presence of this mechanism and the procedure to deactivate it.
Advice
- Practice shifting gears without looking at the lever; you have to keep your eyes on the road.
- Learn to recognize engine sounds; you should know when to shift gears without looking at the speedometer.
- If you have trouble starting from a standing start, slowly release the clutch. Stop at the moment the transmission engages (when the engine starts moving the car) and then continue to lift the foot.
- If you have the feeling that the car is about to stop or jump, press the clutch pedal again, wait for the engine to idle again and repeat the starting procedure.
- If you have trouble mastering the clutch, push the pedal all the way down, shift into first gear (with the parking brake activated) and slowly release the clutch as you apply pressure on the accelerator. When you feel the car is about to move, release the handbrake and allow the car to move freely.
- When you have to overcome a bump, you should press the clutch pedal, apply the brake pedal slightly and slow down a little; then, gradually release the clutch as you gradually throttle to advance the vehicle.
- When temperatures drop below freezing, you shouldn't leave the vehicle outdoors for a long time with the parking brake activated; moisture could freeze on the mechanism preventing you from disengaging the brake.
- If the gear positions are not indicated on the shift lever, ask someone who knows the vehicle for more information; the last thing you want is to back up and hit someone (or something) when you think you've put first gear in.
- The terms "manual", "mechanical" or "standard" referring to the transmission are synonymous.
Warnings
- Be careful if you are uphill or on a steep area. The car could roll back and collide with things and people behind you if you don't keep your foot pressed on the brake and clutch pedal.
- When you have stopped and restarted the engine several times, give the starter and battery a break of 5-10 minutes; in this way, you do not damage or overheat the ignition mechanism and you do not completely discharge the accumulator.
- Check the speedometer until you gain some confidence behind the wheel of a manual transmission car. This type of vehicle requires much more experience than that with automatic transmission; if the engine reaches too high a number of revolutions, it can be damaged.
- Stop completely the vehicle before engaging reverse gear, regardless of the direction in which the car is moving; if you select this ratio with the car in motion, you ruin most gearboxes.
