How long did it take you to learn to drive stick shift?

Question

I mean, to the point where you were comfortable driving in traffic by yourself?

Well, my husband took me out for my first lesson yesterday, we drove for about an hour. I only stalled a couple of times, *lol*, and the hardest part for me was going from a stop, all that easing off the clutch and hitting the gas...

Answer 1

Well, I went and bought one and learned to drive it on the way home. Took about an hour to get comfortable with it. Also, I was by myself and didn't have anyone aggravating me so I could concentrate on making it work properly.

Answer 2

I learned to drive stick over a weekend. I got comfortable with it real quick because I had to drive back and forth to work which was about 30 miles each way. (Way back when gas was not too expensive) Drive more and you will get more comfortable with it. If you find you have trouble with something, do it repeatedly. There was a hill just before my driveway on a fairly deserted road. I spent a few hours on that hill, just learning how to start from a dead stop on a hill. (By the way, when I said I learned to drive in a weekend, I meant 8-10 hours each day - but I did not have a teacher to guide me.)

Answer 3

It took me about 5 hours of practice. I learned first all the gears and practiced pushing on the clutch with the car off. It took longer to feel comfortable driving the car.

Answer 4

About a week. I switched cars from a Mazda Protege 1.8L to a Mustang GT 4.6L 5-speed with an aftermarket throttle-body (for added throttle sensitivity) and a king cobra clutch (stiff clutch pedal) so I have to admit it was not easy. The biggest problem I had was jerking the car back and forth in first gear.

Answer 5

My dad bought me a Mustang when I was a Senior in High School, after he was done with all the paper work we walk outside and he hands me the keys and said, We'll meet you at Denny's for lunch. I was like Dad I don't know how to drive stick! He said, "You'll figure it out", I almost had a heartattack. SO I drove in second and Third gear for about 2 miles. But after that it took me about 4 solid months of non-stop never give up., I used to grind the gears like a mad girl. Thank God the cars were better built. But, one thing once you learn stick you never forget.

Answer 6

2 days

Answer 7

First car was stick. Took about 4 or 5 hours.

Answer 8

A few months. Maybe 4 or 5.

Hills are hard when you have to stop and start if I get stopped in a hard spot I take off with the emergency brake on just enough to keep me from rolling back. Only use that trick if you really need to it's not good on the brakes. ( Like on a really steep hill and there's a brand new Cadillac right on your bumper.....)

You'll get the hang of it. It's a good thing to know how to do.

Answer 9

I was taught not by watching the rpm's but rather by listening to the engine so i knew when to change gears and when i was doing it wrong.
I felt comfortable after about 4 days almost constant driving.
I strongly recommend learning by "sound" because i have then been able to drive any stick shift, no matter the power of the engine, and recognise how to drive any of them quickly and properly without problem.
p.s. it came in VERY handy when i learned how to drive a motorcyle.

Answer 10

I spent a weekend, initially in an empty school parking lot, progressively moving to busier traffic situations and as the final test practicing shifting on little traveled hilly street.