Stick Shift for Dummies

In the days of new electronic cars, fuel efficiency, and faster transmissions, manual cars are dying every year in the United States. With that being said, it is still a very nifty skill to have. Manual cars are significantly cheaper to buy or rent. Manual cars are still hugely being used in other countries around the world because of the cheaper price. It takes some practice and lots of mistakes but the concept of driving manual is actually very simple.

Step 1: Know the new material

With a manual car, there are a few new things in the car that you need to be familiar with.

A. There is no PRND

In a manual car, there is no PARK, DRIVE, or NEUTRAL option rather there are anywhere from 4-7 gears (depending on the car) to move the car forward. The gears are capped at a speed. The lowest gear is the smallest and makes the car work harder (increased RPM's) as you speed up. This is why you switch to 2nd gear to decrease the RPM's and have the car work less. This is a general rule of when to switch gears....

1st: 0-15 MPH
2nd: 15-20 MPH
3rd: 20-30 MPH
4th: 30-40 MPH
5th: 40-55 MPH
6th: 55-65 MPH
7th: 65+

When the stick shift is in place in the middle and you're able to wiggle it right and left it means the car is in neutral.


B: There is a 3rd pedal

The 3rd pedal is to be used with your left foot. The gas and the brake are used normally with your right foot

Step 2: Taking Off

Taking off with a stick shift car is always the hardest part. Make sure to practice on a flat surface so the car will not roll as you try to start from 0 MPH.

First thing to do is to learn the friction point on your clutch. As you press in the clutch and release it, there is a point on the release that the clutch begins to touch the gears. Get familiar with this point. Now for the take off! Press the clutch in, move the stick shift into first gear, give gas at around 2000-3000 RPM's and slowly release the clutch. At the friction point you will feel the car starts to move. DONT BE NERVOUS! Maintain the slowness and take off!

Step 3: Changing Gears

You're in first gear! Congrats! As you speed up you see the RPM's start to increase. What to do now? Slowly release your foot off the gas, press in the clutch, move the stick lever down to 2nd gear, and release the clutch. The clutch doesnt need to be released as slow, but still not too fast. This is the same process in upshifting and downshifting.

Step 4: Coming to a stop.

If you want to come to a stop you would normally brake in a automatic car but a stick shift is slightly different. As you are braking to come to the stop, press in the clutch and move the lever to neutral. In neutral you can release the clutch as fast as you want and you will be at a complete stop.

Good luck and dont be nervous!