How to Drive a Manual Car
A quick and easy guide.
Although manual gearboxes are commonplace, automatic gearboxes are increasingly popular –and the art of driving a stick shift (as the Americans would say) might be in danger of dying out.
If you want to learn how to drive a manual car read through our easy guide and find out how to do it in just a few steps.
Before you Start
Typically, manual cars will have three pedals: clutch, brake and accelerator (in that order, left to right).
The brake and accelerator pedals are pretty simple – press the brake to slow down (the firmer you press it, the quicker you’ll lose speed), while using the accelerator increases the engine’s revs and causes you to speed up (the firmer you press it, the quicker you will speed up).
The clutch pedal is the one that makes driving a manual car more difficult than an auto.
Without going into too much detail, the clutch is essentially two metal plates that connect the engine to the drive wheels.
So by pressing down on the clutch pedal, you’re disconnecting the engine from the wheels.
How to Drive a Manual Car
Get in the car and put on your seatbelt
Put the key in the ignition and turn all the way until the engine starts
Put the clutch pedal down with your left foot (this the pedal on the left)
Move the gear stick into first gear
Use your right foot to press down on the accelerator (pedal on the right) gentle to increase the engine’s revs very slightly
Slowly lift the clutch pedal using your left foot until it starts to vibrate gently
This vibration is known as the car’s “bite point” this is where the clutch plates start to come together.
Release the handbrake and the car should start to move slowly
Increase the revs while slowly raising your foot off the clutch unit you are moving forward with only the use of the accelerator pedal