how hard is it to drive a manual?

Question

i have to get my licence in a manual i dont want to but dont have a choice, it just seems so hard

Answer 1

Once you get the hang of it its easy. I think the hardest part is taking off from a dead stop. Its a matter of letting the clutch out until it starts to grab and give it just enough gas where the engine doesnt die out and once you get rolling let the clutch out completely and then give it some more gas. Once you get going in 1rst gear and you get to the point where your ready to shift you just step on the clutch and shift to the next gear and once you have done that just let the clutch out completely. In other words you dont have to ease it out once your rolling. Of course you always take your foot off the gas when ever you step on the clutch. I would practice taking off from a dead stop and do that until your comfortable with it and then start going through the gears. It just takes a little coordination to get the hang of it and you will be suprised how easy it is with a little practice. A couple of hours of practice in a big empty parking lot and you will have it down.

Answer 2

Stick is easy with practice. To begin take off the parking break, engage the clutch (far left pedal) and turn the key to start the car. The clutch MUST be engaged to start the car. With the clutch still in, shift into first (probably to the left and up). You should feel the gear knob slide into place and it will stay there. Now, the difficult part, as you slowly let off the clutch, slowly engage the gas. When you're starting, just do this process very slowly and you shouldn't stall too much. Once the car is rolling, and the clutch is all the way out, you can probably shift into second. First, engage the clutch again and let off the gas, then with the clutch fullly engaged, pull the shift knob straight down into second, after you've done this, you can let up on the clutch and put your foot on the gas again. Repeat this process through the rest of the gears. To stop, first engage the clutch and then brake normally. If you don't like holding the clutch in, you can simply engage it and take it out of gear(let the shift knob stay in the neutral position) then you won't have to engage the clutch until you need to start moving again. When youre first learning, drive in an empty parking lot with a friend or parent or whatever who has experience driving a stick. This can be frusterating, but it will get easier after a while.

Answer 3

It really depends on the person who is or is practicing to drive a car with a 5/6-speed manual gearbox. For some people it is a piece of cake, for other people who lack great coordination skills it can be quite difficult. The hardest part you are going to face is synchronizing when you let your foot off of the clutch while pressing in the throttle(gas pedel).

Once you get the hang of taking off then it wont be too bad, but you have to make sure you absolutely get the hang of that, which can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months, everything else is simple!. just don't forget to shift before you hit redline, though I would recommend shifting around 4,000 rpm's for your test, otherwise you'll hit the dead point and the car's governator will kick in and the instructor will most likely deduct points

Answer 4

It is a little tricky to learn, but don't forget at one time there was no choice, and plenty of women drove.
I prefer manual, especially in bad weather, as it gives you more control, you feel more at one with the vehicle.
You just have to rev it some before engaging first gear,
and let the clutch out slow.
Learning to drive on the left in Britain was a trip for this Yank - a headache for three days straight - but I did, and never had a collision.

Answer 5

Not too bad, the hard part is making smooth starts, Go to a big parking lot like KMart and practice starts..Just press gently on the accelerator before you let out on the clutch. With practice you can feel the clutch plates touch through your foot, Modern cars are so forgiving that it isn;t real important when you shift. Just practice. Mainly first and second gear. that doesn't take up a lot of parking lot space because you won't be going very fast at first

Answer 6

It's not hard, and women are more likely to drive manuals. Practicing in the car you'll be taking the test in is the best. Not to mention, you should know where all light, parking-light, and hazard light buttons are. When you get used to driving manual you can drive anyone's manual-drive car for the most part.

Answer 7

My father taught me when i was 14,I have taught at least 20 people in my life,the same way,first fine someone who knows how to drive a stick,you get behind the wheel,you only use the clutch,let the other person use the gas petal,as your leaving the clutch in and out and hearing the engine,you'll see quickly how it works,thank me after you get your license. Good Luck.

Answer 8

With a little practice you should be alright if you drive 2-3 hours a day for a month or 2

Answer 9

hi mel here in Ire land we call them stick shift the whole trick is patients
easy for me to say practise off road till you get confident its all in the feet
then bet yours are cute and clever feet that helps to be smooth with the clutch
practise &patience let me know how you doing use the latest car you can get for newness of the pedals .goodluck Mel stay in touch ya hear

Answer 10

I'm not going to lie to you. At first it is a little difficult because you have to get the feel of the car and know when to change gears. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be glad that you learned. It saves you gas and you don't have to worry about anyone asking to borrow you car. lol