How long did it take for you to get good at driving a stick shift/manual transmission?

Answer 1

Well I started driving at 9. I didn't get much chance to drive. The first time I drove around the block, was when I was 10. By the time I was 12, I could drive pretty good. I remember one time when I was 11. I got off the school bus, and my Dad was there to meet the school bus. When I walked over to the car, he told me, here you drive it home. It was a 55 Buick Special, but it was automatic. When I got behind the wheel, he told me to floor it. So I punched it to the floor and peeled out while the bus was still unloading. My Dad was nuts for letting me do that, but I'll admit, it was fun.

Then my Mom would let me drive her 55 Ford straight shift on occasion. She wasn't right either.

Answer 2

I'd say about 5 hours of driving you will have it become something natural. Its like riding a bike. I bought a stick shift car in 2002 and drove it 40 miles and stalled out twice along the way. Putting manuals in reverse is kinda tricky as you have to push clutch all the way in... and wait for trans to stop spinning or you hear grinding. Also first and second are the two gears you have to shift most perfectly or you are likely to stall or grind or shake car/truck.

Worn clutchs are easier for learners than new clutchs which require more precision to feel smooth.

I love manual cars. I have a jeep truck and camaro both manual. had a ford probe gt also. I can talk on phone while drinking/eating *(and used to smoke) at the same time as going around heavy city traffic without any issue.

Answer 3

The first manual transmission I drove was a 5 ton dump truck. It took about a week to get used to it. I purchased a 5 speed a few years later, and after a day or two I had it down pretty good.

Each car is different. Some clutches release higher and some are stiffer. Pay attention to your passenger, if their head is jerking when you change gears, you need to work on smoothing it out. You anticipate the jerks and stalls, but your passenger will move with the vehicle.

Answer 4

Once you go stick, you never go back. You have so much more control with a manual transmission.

It took me a day to learn, a week to improve, and a month to master the art of the perfect shift.

I don't recommend doing like I did, and making your first drive in a stick shift one that brings you through a six-way intersection at five o'clock on a Friday evening in the middle of a city of a half-million people. Especially if you accidentally throw the thing into third gear at the traffic light and not realize you're not in first gear. Talk about witnessing road rage!

Answer 5

Not very long. Maybe about a few days to get really good. Once you get the whole clutch and shifting thing down, you're good to go. The 1st car I started off with a manual was an Acura Integra GS-R. 5 speeds of...fun? haha. Well yea, once you learn to drive a stick, it becomes 2nd nature.