Tips on how to learn to drive a manual car

Nowadays, driving a manual car has become a lost art form as more and more people opt for the more convenient automatic cars. Considering the fun involved in driving a manual car, you really get a sense of machine symbiosis when you master the manual transmission. And there’s nothing like some good heel-toe action.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A car gear. Net photo.

Nowadays, driving a manual car has become a lost art form as more and more people opt for the more convenient automatic cars. Considering the fun involved in driving a manual car, you really get a sense of machine symbiosis when you master the manual transmission. And there’s nothing like some good heel-toe action.How it’s done •    Place the key in the ignition and press the clutch pedal to the floor mat. Manual transmission vehicles will not start if they are in gear.•    Apply pressure to the brake pedal with your right foot. Turn the key to start the ignition.•    Release the emergency brake. You will find the release either on the center console or under the driver’s side dash, depending on the make and model of your car.•    Place your right hand on the stick and slide it into the first gear position. This is the slot all the way to the left and up in most cars.•    Slowly release the clutch until you feel it start to catch, and then apply gentle pressure to the gas. The idea is to take off as smoothly as possible.•     Give the car more gas as it accelerates, and remove your foot from the clutch.•    Gain some speed and then depress the clutch again, while simultaneously releasing the gas.•    Shift into second gear, which is directly below first. Slowly release the clutch and give the car gas again to get up to speed.•    Repeat this process all the way through fifth gear, depending on your car’s gear type.•    Depress the clutch and hit the brakes at the same time when you need to slow down. Pop the car into neutral while you wait at a light or stop sign, then start shifting from first. Neutral is usually the space in-between up and down on your stick.Source: interlog.com