Once you learn how to do it, and after a little practice, driving a stick shift is fairly easy. It becomes habit and also becomes, for many, a more exciting and exhilarating way to drive a car or truck.
Stick shift vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, from the smallest economy cars to huge work trucks. This guide is not intended to help you win any drag races or drive a big rig. Instead, it will guide you through the process of learning to drive a stick shift, providing …show more content…
You start thinking what about if you are on a hill? What if you can't find reverse? What about the ultimate, dark fear: you are stopped at a light, put the car into first gear to get going and it happens, a stall. Don't worry about all of that. It only takes a second to start a car back up. Besides, that is why it is best to practice on a secluded road, in a vacant parking lot, or somewhere else with plenty of space and time for stalls.
Pick a flat area, too. You will be ready for a stick shift start on a hill soon enough, but at first stick to simple starts from first gear on a flat surface.
Once seated and comfortable with your seatbelt fastened, you are ready to begin driving a stick shift. It is always helpful to have someone knowledgeable with driving manual transmissions or with the vehicle along for the test drive, but you can do it on your own.
To start a stick shift, it is important to have the clutch pedal depressed if starting in gear. If the vehicle is not in gear, and is in neutral, you do not need the clutch depressed. With the vehicle running, depress the clutch all the way to the floor. Put the shifter in first gear, and slowly let the clutch pedal back up while giving the engine gas with the fuel pedal. The car will begin to go, and the more you let up on the clutch, the faster you will go into that