How to Drive A Manual Car in Nine Steps
Although manual gearboxes are commonplace, automatic gearboxes are becoming increasingly popular – and the art of driving a stick shift (as the Americans might say) may run the risk of dying out.
If you've never had a car manuals and want to learn the basics, read through our simple guide, and find out how to do it.
Before You Start
Manual cars will usually have three pedals: clutch, brake, and accelerator (left to right, in that order).
The brake and accelerator pedals are fairly easy-click the brake to slow down (the firmer you push it, the faster you lose power), while using the accelerator raises the revs of the engine and makes you speed up (the firmer you click it, the faster you speed up).
The clutch pedal is the one which makes it harder to drive a manual car than an auto.
The clutch is basically two metal plates, without going into too much detail, which link the engine to the drive wheels.
So, you separate the engine from the wheels by pressing down on the clutch button.
How to drive a manual car in nine steps
1.Getting in the car and putting on your seat belt
2.Put the key in the ignition and turn it all the way before the engine starts
3.Pushing down the clutch pedal (this is the lever on the left)
4.Shifting the gear stick into the first gear
5.Using the right foot to gently push down the accelerator to raise the revs of the engine just slightly.
6.Lift the clutch pedal slowly with your left foot until it starts vibrating gently
7.This vibration is known as the "bite point" of the car-it is here that the clutch plates begin to come together.
8.Remove the handbrake and the car will start moving gradually
9.Raise the revs while gradually lifting your foot off the clutch mechanism that you are pushing forward using the accelerator pedal only
Note-if you take your foot out of the clutch too fast, or don't give it enough revs, the car will stall: that's when the engine cuts out and the red lights on the dashboard shine.
If the brakes are applied when you stop, turn off the engine, return the gear stick to neutral and start again.
If you've never had a car manuals and want to learn the basics, read through our simple guide, and find out how to do it.
Before You Start
Manual cars will usually have three pedals: clutch, brake, and accelerator (left to right, in that order).
The brake and accelerator pedals are fairly easy-click the brake to slow down (the firmer you push it, the faster you lose power), while using the accelerator raises the revs of the engine and makes you speed up (the firmer you click it, the faster you speed up).
The clutch pedal is the one which makes it harder to drive a manual car than an auto.
The clutch is basically two metal plates, without going into too much detail, which link the engine to the drive wheels.
So, you separate the engine from the wheels by pressing down on the clutch button.
How to drive a manual car in nine steps
2.Put the key in the ignition and turn it all the way before the engine starts
3.Pushing down the clutch pedal (this is the lever on the left)
4.Shifting the gear stick into the first gear
5.Using the right foot to gently push down the accelerator to raise the revs of the engine just slightly.
6.Lift the clutch pedal slowly with your left foot until it starts vibrating gently
7.This vibration is known as the "bite point" of the car-it is here that the clutch plates begin to come together.
8.Remove the handbrake and the car will start moving gradually
9.Raise the revs while gradually lifting your foot off the clutch mechanism that you are pushing forward using the accelerator pedal only
Note-if you take your foot out of the clutch too fast, or don't give it enough revs, the car will stall: that's when the engine cuts out and the red lights on the dashboard shine.
If the brakes are applied when you stop, turn off the engine, return the gear stick to neutral and start again.
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