#A STICK SHIFT CAR DRIVER#
#A STICK SHIFT CAR MANUAL#
#A STICK SHIFT CAR FULL#

Many times backing up only requires slowly letting out the clutch. For light braking, though, the clutch does not need to be used. You can also teach her to shift into neutral this will also prevent a stall.

#A STICK SHIFT CAR FULL#

When braking to come to a full stop, she should put in the clutch at the same time she applies the brakes to avoid stalling out. Ask her to listen to the engine for a sign she should shift into third gear, and then, into fourth. When she shifts gears, the engine should quiet down again. Listen to the engineĪs she shifts to second gear, she should hear the engine getting louder. Photo: Scotty ReissĪs the car gains speed, guide her to push in the clutch and pull the gear shift back into second gear, then ease off the clutch as she adds a bit more acceleration. Shift gears An indicator on the dashboard of the Mazda 3 shows when the car thinks you should shift gears and recommends the next gear. Soon she’ll be up to speed and ready for step five. Starting in first gear, guide her to slowly take her foot off the clutch and add a little gas, then fully ease off the clutch. That is not only uncomfortable and dangerous, but it’s hard on the clutch, too. Warn her not to ‘pop’ the clutch, or let off it too quickly if she does, the car will lurch forward. She needs to understand the point at which a stall happens. If she does take her foot off the clutch without giving it a little gas, she’ll stall the car. She’ll actually be able to drive a short distance (and very slowly) with the clutch about half way out. After a little back and forth, she’ll get a feel for when letting out the clutch gets the car moving and when putting her foot on the clutch slows the engine. While she’s still in first gear, have her put the clutch in again, and the car will slow.

Have her take her right foot off the brake and slowly let the clutch partially out and see how it moves the car. Then, with her left foot on the clutch (all the way to the floor) and right foot on the brake, shift into first gear.

#A STICK SHIFT CAR DRIVER#

Have the driver start the car with the gear shift in neutral and right foot on the brake. Learn to power the car with just the clutch Remember: Left foot operates the clutch (and only the clutch) and right foot is for braking and accelerating. 8 Steps to learning to drive a stick shift. Then, here is our guide to getting your friend up and gunning.

#A STICK SHIFT CAR MANUAL#

Then, after understanding the basics and a clear path forward, your friend is just a few minutes away from being a manual transmission driver.įirst, read our 9 steps for preparing to learn to drive a stick shift. First, prepare yourself and your friend to learn to drive a stick–preparation is always the key, right? Add in a manual transmission and forget it you may never speak again.īut it doesn’t have to be like that. Friends say enviously, ‘I wish I’d learned to drive a stick.’ But teaching someone to drive can be a harrowing, even friendship-breaking experience. You learned years ago, so for you, driving a stick shift is natural. Learn to power the car with just the clutch 8 Steps to learning to drive a stick shift.

A stick shift car