6. Manual Transmissions
Chapter Introduction
Learning how to drive a manual transmission can be a frustrating experience. At first it can seem awkward, even impossible, to accomplish. However, with some practice, you’ll be proficient in no time.
The most difficult step in operating a manual transmission is accelerating the vehicle from a complete stop. Many people make this operation difficult because they begin to think too much. Thinking about all the steps can cause you to panic. And, if you panic, before you know it you’ve stalled the car.
Don’t think! Just do it!
Starting The Vehicle
Your right foot operates the gas and the brake. Your left foot operates the clutch. To start a car with a manual transmission, most vehicles require that the clutch pedal be depressed. So, with the car in neutral, place your right foot on the brake, depress the clutch with your left foot and start the ignition.
Place the car in neutral so the vehicle doesn’t accidentally lurch forward and keep the brake on to stop the vehicle from rolling.
Acceleration
To begin moving the vehicle, keep your foot on the brake and, with the vehicle in first gear, slowly begin releasing the clutch. Slowly!! With your left foot, practice easing the clutch in and out. Very gently! You want to release the clutch only enough for the engine to slightly engage. If you watch the tachometer, when the engine begins to engage, the rpm will begin to drop. With your right foot firmly on the brake pedal, practice finding that spot, where the engine engages, a few times so you become comfortable with it.
Now with the clutch slightly engaged, get off the brake and begin to gently accelerate. It’s a simple balancing act. As your right foot accelerates, your left foot releases the clutch. Smoothly.
Smooth Actions Equal Smooth Results.
To help you, look at the tachometer in your vehicle. Try to keep the rpm at approximately 2,000. If it goes below 2,000, gently add more gas; if it goes above, ease out the clutch or ease off the gas pedal.
Practice starting and stopping until it feels comfortable. If you stall the vehicle, chances are you released the clutch too quickly.
Shifting Gears
Now that you’re rolling, shifting gears is the easy part. To shift into higher gears, just ease your foot off the gas and simultaneously depress the clutch. Shift to the desired gear, release the clutch and place your foot back on the gas.
Downshifting
Downshifting is the process of going from higher gears to lower gears as you approach a turn. Downshifting is not used to slow down a car. That’s what brakes are for. What costs less to replace, a set of brakes or a new transmission? Downshifting is used to get the car into the proper gear for exiting a turn. As you are braking, depress the clutch, downshift and then release the clutch. Complete your downshifting prior to turning into the corner. Which means that before you turn into the corner, you are already in the correct gear and your foot is off the clutch pedal.
Downshifting in the middle of a corner can unbalance a vehicle and cause a crash.
When you downshift, make sure you slow the vehicle down to the proper speed before you engage the lower gear.
Stopping The Vehicle
If you are bringing the vehicle to a stop, you do not need to downshift. Just apply the brakes like you normally would and prior to the vehicle coming to a complete stop, depress the clutch and place the car in neutral. It may be possible to ease the vehicle into neutral without depressing the clutch. As the vehicle slows, if you keep a slight pressure on the gearshift lever, you may be able to slide the lever into neutral.
Don’t forget to depress the clutch as you are coming to a stop so you don’t stall the engine.