How do you drive a stick shift ?

Question

First time driving a stick shift, how do you drive one without
causing damage to a car.

Answer 1

Magic.

Actually, you can't really break the car. Modern clutches are pretty tough, you'll just take a few hundred miles off its useful life. Just hold the clutch and gas in at 2000 or so, and slowly let your foot off the clutch. You'll find a point where the car wants to move forward. That's the engagement point. Once you begin to get comfortable with it, you'll find that you're a lot smoother.

Get a large parking lot without people or other cars around. Remember that pressing both the clutch and brake (with both feet) will never fail to stop you. Know where each gear is on the car before you even start it. Always start in neutral to prevent the car from lurching forward when starting it. I don't recommend stopping anywhere on a hill until you're comfortable with the car on level ground.

Answer 2

All you need to work on is starting and stopping, including reverse. When the car is rolling shifting is extremely easy.
Here is an easy mantra to try. It goes: right foot down, left foot up. Here's is how it works. On an abandoned parking lot, once someone else gets you there, leave the car in neutral.
Turn OFF the radio so that you hear the engine. Put you left on the clutch and depress fully.
With your right foot step lightly on the gas, maybe 500-700 rpm higher than idle. As you step on the gas, SLOWLY release the clutch, even in neutral you should hear the engine bog down a bit as there is drag from the clutch. Practise this for several reps. When you think you are ready put it in 1st gear and try to move the car. If you hear the engine really bog down alot, give a little more gas. You should feel the car begin to move even before the clutch is released all the way. when it is moving and the clutch is totally released will drive at idle. When shifting out of first into second, make sure to left OFF the gas as you push in the clutch. Also when coming to a stop push in the clutch as well, or it WILL stall. Good Luck!

Answer 3

First of all you have to push in the clutch..that is the other petal near the middle one, which is the brake. From left to right is the clutch, brake and gas. After starting your engine, hold in the brake with your right foot, while holding in the clutch with your left foot, then you shift your vehicles gear in to 3rd or 4th, whichever your vehicle has,then you slowly let out the clutch and then the brake while depressing the gas petal. It takes a few tries but you will get the hang of it after awhile. hope this helps you..good luck.

Answer 4

Without damage?...take lessons in a different car.

Stick shift is hard to get used to and that will 'damage' your car. Don't worry, unless you drive it into a wall of frustration you will not 'kill' the car.

Answer 5

its easy. rev the engine and as the R's fall back down let the clutch out and as you begin to roll forward ease on the gas. smoothly accelerate then let off the gas put in the clutch and grab another gear. real easy i promise.

Answer 6

You can check this out http://expertvillage.com/ But the best way is for a friend to help teach you. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqtctkznYjk


Here is the one I like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1LZgPayoC8