Learning how to drive a manual transmission, also know as a standard transmission, is a moderately challenging endevour. But many car aphicionados swear that once you learn how to handle a stick shift, the rewards will be infinite.

In order to follow this how to guide, you will need two important components;

• a car with a manual transmission
• a place to drive

Now, here is the step by step guide on how to drive a manual car;

First, a car with a standard transmission looks a little different in the drivers seat. Different from the automatic, there are three foot pedals for the manual car. The left pedal is the clutch, the middle pedal is the brake, and the long pedal on the right is the gas or accelorator. Also, there will be a stick shift to the right of the driver in the center console, this is used to switch gears.

It is time to get into your car and get comfortable. Make sure that the seat is positioned that you can reach the pedals comfortably. And never forget to put your seatbelt on BEFORE operating the vehical.

The job of the clutch is to disengage the fly wheel from the engine and allow it to spin freely, so that the transmission can switch gears. When it is depressed, the flywheel is disengaged, and the car can be shifted from one gear to the next, or if the car is stopped, it can be put in reverse.

When you comfortably in the driver seat, with your seatbelt secure, and the car is NOT running, depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor.

Now, place your hand on the gear shift and move it to the neutral position. Neutral is the middle position where the stick can be freely moved from side to side. The car is now out of gear.

Keep the clutch depressed, and turn on the car ignition. Most new cars require the clutch to be engaged before the ignition can be turned over, but some older cars do not have this safety feature.

Now the car is idling, you can remove your foot from the clutch. Because the car is in neutral, or out of gear, the clutch does not need to be pressed in.

The first exercise is going to be to drive the car forward, so if the car needs to be backed up first you will need to get someone to back the car up first. Make sure that you are on the road with no obstructions in front of you before proceeding.

Depress the clutch to the floor. Move the gear stick to the first position, first gear. This is normally to the left and forward. Keep the clutch depressed.

Your other foot should be on the accelerator, but the pedal should not be depressed. Think of the relationship between the clutch and the accelerator as a teeter totter. As one side is allowed up, the other should be depressed. Slowly let the clutch up, and at the same time, begin to lightly push down on the accelerator.

The car is going to begin moving forward. This is happening because the fly wheel is being engaged with the engine, and the car is in first gear. This means that the engine is going to need fuel to move the vehicle forward, this is why you are giving the car gas when pressing the accelerator.

If you give too much fuel, the cars RPM’s will spike, and the vehicle will jerk forward. If you do not give enough fuel as you release the clutch too quickly, the car will likely stall.

As you move forward keep an eye (and an ear) on the RPM gauge. When the RPM’s reach 3000 – 3500, it is time to switch to the next gear. Each time you switch gears, you will need to press the clutch down, switch gears on the shaft, and then slowly release the clutch.

Notes to keep in mind when driving a manual car;

Hills are going to be the biggest challenge to new drivers of manual transmissions. When starting or stopping on a hill, make sure to use the emergency brake or you will run the risk of rolling backwards.

It is important that you push the clutch down fully when shifting gears. It is easy to get lazy, but it is hard on your transmission.

Your ears will be as important as your eyes. A manual transmission makes sounds that the driver will become accustom. The car is telling you when to shift gears, you just need to know what it is telling you, and that only happens by listening. Beginners, turn down the stereo and listen to your car.

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