Manual shifting?

Question

I'm looking to buy a manual car but I dont know how to change gears. Are there any websites where I can learn or even watch videos for free?

Answer 1

http://www.ehow.com/how_3234_drive-car-with.html

Great link. I've driven stick for almost 30 years, I actually prefer it to automatic transmission. If you know someone who will let you try theirs first that would be great... otherwise take along a friend or family member who knows how drive one when you go to pick up the car - they can get you to a "safe" place so you can practice (especially if you are not already an experienced driver!)
**NOTE: if you live in a hilly area, make sure to get some practice
starting from first gear on a hill - it's especially challenging for newbies... Good luck!

Answer 2

I am sure that there are websites, books, magazines, ect. that could help. I would relate it to riding a bike. All the reading in the world will not allow you to get into your first manual transmission car and take off driving into a major city (or even a small one) smoothly.

If you are mechanically inclined, reading will help you understand what is happening when you shift gears. That knowledge will shorten your learning curve.

Driving a car with a manual transmission can only be learned through experience. Keep in mind, when you start, expect your driving to be rough. Don't buy a car that is on it's last leg. An old car with a driver that is inexperienced with a manual transmission will not last long. You will be dropping the transmission to replace the clutch real quick. When you get the car, practice in a rural, country area, or large open parking lot. Practice with someone who has experience driving a manual transmission. It's all about synchronization.

Answer 3

do you kow anyone that drives stick ? if you do have them teach you hopefully its a girl that has to teach you because any guy that cant drive a stick shift car needs a good slap upside the head but usaully in your manual cars you would first get in the car and press the clutch pedal down while you start the car then you would release the parking brake then press the clutch pedal down again disengaging the clutch so you can shift in to either first or reverse or second if you have a low geared vehicle, with your foot still on the clutch pedal in the down position you would then use your right foot to appply the accelorator while you relaese the clutch pedal and you will get movement, it takes some time to get the hang of it but with some practice you will be able to get it going in no time your best bet to learn if you cant find someone to teach is to get int the car in a large field or parking lot with no one around and learn by failing a few dozen times

Answer 4

Manual is so much better, it takes a few months to learn, but is so worth it. You can control what your doing so much better then with an automatic car. First thing you want to do is just practice shifting with the car turned off (that's what I did). Like just while your parked, look straight forward like you're driving, and practice from 1st, to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on, and then back down. That's the first step is learning to shift without getting stuck or having to look down to do it. Then once you get good at that and actually start driving with the manual, you really have to learn to listen to your engine. It basically tells you when to shift. If it starts sounding tired, you shift up. If it starts making a mumbling sound, or you can't accelerate, you have to shift down. It's easy once you get used to it. If you need any other tips or whatever, message me dude.

Hope this helps, ciao.

Answer 5

hey bankrupt, have you ever driven a 5.0? my old merc was an awesome tool for teaching clutch operation, cause she wouldnt stall often and buck maybe 1.5 times before idling smoothly in gear while dumping the clutch on flat grd. now rolling or hills. i wont answer, traction was always a prob. the more i tuned, the more i had to do to make it bite as in driving style, different tire sizes, and finally 265/60/15/s instead of the old p186 60/14 or 195/6014 and the wider they were the sqirrelier in the rain. but hey 5th gear barked at 83-95 and healthily. i even started it in gr, it ran over my foot and i tried to stod it, it dragged me and plowed into the wall and water-htr and sat their loping and digging. i think it'd reached china if i didnt shut it down. lmao now nice memory. get a friend with a 5.0 to learn. i learned in a small 3 ondatree inline 6 with posi, hard as well.

Answer 6

You just have to do it to get the hang of it. One big mistake made when learning is holding the clutch down to the floor .Just go down with the peddle until the transmission releases.That's about half way down and go up even and slow with the peddle don't let it snap up . Rent a manual sports car if you can and have fun beating the hell out of someone else's clutch and pressure plate.

Answer 7

Hi, i just got a truck and i have to learn how to shift 2, your best bet is to have one of your friends show you. Learning in a parking lot is the best way. Good luck its not to bad, iam still learning.

Answer 8

dude the best way to learn is too just practice... all you wanna die is make sure the cluth is balanced before you punch it into a new gear

Answer 9

just change the gear when the engine gets loud or when it hits about 4000 rpms or depending on how it sounds tto u