I got a new car its a 1996 Nissan Maxima. I got it from my brother for free. And it s a 5 speed manual.?

Question

I dont know how to use 5 speed manual. What is the difference between automatic and 5 speed. Some people told me that 5 speed saves gas. Please help!
My dad told me if i dont learn how to use 5 speed he will sell it.

Answer 1

You should already know the difference between the 2 transmissions. "manual," means you gotta do something, "automatic," means you dont. Simple. The instructions to driving stick, (someone has already answered[kudos my man, good job,]) but, from a realistic point of view, i would definitely learn to drive it. If you find that it is becoming increasingly hard to do on your own, ask a neighbor, or a friend... while your dad is not there. Also, since your brother gave it to you, see if you can get it to your name. Dont get an apartment yet, on the contrary to what genius told you... 5 speeds do generally save you gas, (less than 5MPG usually) because the engine is not pushing, or braking itself, to keep going unlike autom's. It just stays in neutral. Whatever you do, stay off of hills, unless strictly going downhill, and if you do find yourself stuck on one, give it a ****load of gas, and peel the hell out. OR, tell the guy in back of you, to back up. if youre a novice,... dude, you WILL hit him. So... basically... 1. get help. 2 stay away from hills. 3. keep at it... if you really cant get it going, give it gas to about... 3500-4500 rpms.. and slowly let go of the clutch... ( pedal, small, to the left of the brake.... ) you might peel, but youll get the general idea. Most people dont drive sticks, because they dont understand this... 4.knowing stick, does come in handy ie. emergency, etc... 5. lastly, get the car to your name.... so your dad wont sell it, if you rank out... in driving it... keep at it... its loads of fun, and if done right, will impress a helluvalot of chicks. nissans are good cars... dont trip.

Answer 2

I found my first car on a great deal and it was a shift. And of course I didn't know how to drive it. But it literally took me 30 minutes to learn the thing. One of my friends taught me. I am in love with stick shift cars ever since. It is very easy to learn - just don't be tensed when you learn. After you learn it you will drive it without even realizing that you are driving a shift. The difference between auto transmission and manual is that on the auto the gear shifts are automatic, i.e. the car will do this for you. In the manual you have to do it yourself. You have to apply the clutch any time you want to shift. Let's say you are starting the car...
1) You would apply the clutch and shift the gear to neutral (which is positioned in the middle) and then crank the engine.
2) You would apply the clutch and shift the gear to first and then slowly release the clutch while gently pressing the pedal (this is in fact the hardest part on a stick shift... just starting on the first gear... you will see what I am talking about)
3) Once the speed reaches 15-20, you will apply the clutch again and shift it to second gear and then slowly (but a little bit faster than while you started) release the clutch while pressing the pedal... Also make sure you release the pedal while pressing the clutch to shift the gear....
4) You would repeat the same step three to change for third, fourth and fifth gears... at approximately 30-35 (third gear), 40-45 (fourth) and so on.. you will know when you have to change because the engine will Rev up.... and you will hear it...
5) You will also do the same things to downshift. Normally you will downshift one by one, i.e. fifth to fourth to third etc. unless you are making an emergency stop.
6) You also need to apply the clutch any time you are trying to stop the car, otherwise the engine will stop....

Trust me it is easy to learn... Once you learn it you will know how much fun it is...

Answer 3

the difference with a 5 speed is you manually have to switch the gears after you reach a certain speed etc etc and its a pain in the but..i also hear its a gas saver...with automatic you just put the car in drive and thats' it you just drive..switching gears in a manual you have to learn how and when to switch and use that little peddle thingy on the floor next to the brake and gas pedals and its just too confusing for me so i opt and drive an automatic...automatics usually cost a bit more than a manual transmission..but in my case its a much safer deal, if i try a manual transmission no one is safe on the road!! good luck dear i know you will learn just fine.

Answer 4

Please learn to use the clutch and manual transmission. That way you will be able to drive anything. Besides the 1996 Maxima five speed transmission and clutch is light and easy to shift. Your biggest problem will be hills and after a couple years you won't understand why people can't drive a stick shift.

Answer 5

the difference is you must change gears in a 5spd manual after it has reached redline in that gear or reached a certain speed depending on your preference. and in a manual, there is a third pedal called a clutch used to change gears. the concept is easy to learn, but mastering it is the hard part. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

you could learn how to drive a "stick" and it is valuable to know how to drive one in case of emergencies. I would also take a class at a driving school and not tell dad untill after you graduate. your dad doesnt sound like very patient man. you could trade the car in on an automatic, if your brother put the car in your name , you can do whatever you want with it. Also get your own apartment.

Answer 7

There are places that offer manual shift lessons, take some.