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How to Drive a Stick Shift

Even if it is considered a lost art in many parts of the world, driving a stick shift is not as unpopular as you might think, especially when you take into consideration all the bonus points it offers a driver. The larger part of the Old World still uses manual gearboxes religiously, while the Americas swear by the automatics.

This guide is mostly for those who consider it impossible to control a car with a third pedal. But don't take our word for it, here are a few bonuses you get from manual gearboxes. First and foremost, your gas mileage will improve, even if some tests will have you believing otherwise (automatic gearboxes tend to lose some of the torque especially for speeds under 40 mph thanks to their torque converters).

Another big of having to drive with a manual gearbox is that you're less prone to get distracted from the road. Constantly tending to your car's speed will make you oblivious of things happening around you, which dramatically reduces the risk of you having an accident.

Also, a manual gearbox allows you to get a better feel for what your car is doing at any time, so your able to respond better in case you have to make a quick maneuver.

Now that we have talked you into giving stick a chance, let's look over the main things you'll have to do different from an automatic. First of all, get to know your new best friend, the clutch, which is the first pedal on the left. You'll have to tend to it not just every time you want to change gears, but also when braking. Failing to do so will cause the engine to stop.

Before you even start the car you must press the clutch. This is to make sure that the gearbox is disconnected from the engine and you don't fly off into whatever is in front of you when you turn on the ignition.

Now it's time for the gears. Depending on the make and model of the car, the number of gears differs. Usually, you'll find them inscribed on the gear knob so you might want to take a look before you undertake any maneuver.

In order to move the car, you'll have to shift into first gear. To do that, move the stick into first with the clutch down and start pressing the acceleration while slowly depressing the clutch. It is this particular step that gets beginners frustrated because of the “catch point” - that is the point where the engine connects to the gearbox and the car starts moving. The reason why so manny find it frustrating is because the “catch point” is different on every car.

The trick is to achieve the catch point without revving the engine too much. In time, you'll get the hang of it, but right now settle for moving the car into first gear without stalling. A good trick would be to release the clutch quickly until you get to the catch point and then go slower until the clutch is completely depressed while continuing to press the gas.

What comes after first gear? Second, of course, but the question that arises now is at what speed to you make the switch. Depending on your car and your engine, that speed may vary, but the main rule that applies is to never spend to much time in first gear because that's when the engine works the hardest and the car moves the slowest. It's not good for gas mileage and it's not good for the engine.

A good driver will tell you the best way to shift is not by looking at your speedometer by at the rev counter. That's how you'll know when and how to shift so as to not overwork the engine. But be careful not to let the revs go too low either, because there is also the danger of stalling at the worst possible moments – like in the middle of a busy intersection, or at a green light when you got lots of cars waiting behind you.

Downshifting is also a problem for beginners as it can be confusing, especially when you don't know the way the gears are configured. It's not unusual to stick it into third instead of first and thus jerk the car violently. That's why it's a good idea to use an old car for learning manual instead of your dad's new Mercedes. You might also want to try a back road instead of a busy highway if you're just starting out. That way you won't come into conflict with other motorists.

Another word of advice when it comes to driving manual is to watch out for those uphill starts. If you let off the clutch too much and don't give it enough gas, you'll end up going backwards instead of forward. If there is a car behind you might cause an accident, so in order to combat this, try using the e-brake.

Remember that with manual gearboxes, the parking brake should be always used when stationary. Unlike automatics, there is nothing to hold back the car when it's in neutral. Another trick is to leave it parked in first gear.

The key word here is patience and willingness to learn. It may take a while, no matter if you've been driving cars before, simply because it's a whole new skill set and it requires a lot of concentration. But once you've mastered it, you can consider yourself a real driver.
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