Driving a manual car can feel daunting to those who’ve never done it before. However, with a good understanding of key principles and plenty of practice, it can soon become second nature. In this blog, we’re going to go through a step-by-step guide on how to drive a manual car to help you become a more skilled, confident and safer driver.
Understanding the Pedals
The first thing about driving a manual car is understanding the pedals beneath your feet. Unlike an automatic car that has only two pedals, a manual car has three – accelerator, brake, and clutch – listed from right to left.
- Accelarator: This is the “gas” pedal that makes the car go faster.
- Brake: The brake helps the vehicle to slow down or stop.
- Clutch: The clutch connects the engine to the transmission, allowing you to change gears.
Mastering the Gear Stick
Next up is learning how to handle the gear stick. It’s typically located in between the driver and the front passenger seats. Patterns may vary depending on the car, but a typical five-speed manual car will have a “H” shape.
Steps to Drive a Manual Car
With your understanding of the pedals and the gear stick, let’s move to the steps to drive a manual car:
- Position your left foot on the clutch and your right foot on the brake.
- Start the car.
- Put the car into gear by pushing the gear stick into first gear.
- As you slowly remove your foot from the clutch, the car will begin to move.
- To increase speed, step on the accelerator while easing off of the clutch with your left foot.
- To stop, ease onto the brake and clutch at the same time.
Effective Tips
Remember, practice makes perfect. Familiarize yourself with the car’s bite point, spend plenty of time training in an open, traffic-free area, and remain patient and consistent in your learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I stall the car?
Don’t worry, it’s normal when learning to drive a manual car. To restart, just put the car back in neutral, restart the engine and try again.
When should I shift gears?
Generally, you should shift gears up when the tachometer is between 2,000 to 2,500 RPMs. However, this can vary depending on the vehicle. A rule of thumb is to shift gears when the engine no longer comfortably and smoothly accelerates at that RPM range.
Remember, like any other skill, practice is key when learning how to drive a manual car. It may take time, but with perseverance, you’ll soon master the art of manual driving.