How to Prepare for Driving a Manual Transmission Car

Most people dread learning how to drive a car with a manual transmission. If you first learned to drive an automatic, you may not feel comfortable with the idea of working three different pedals to operate the vehicle. However, learning to drive stick can give you a driving skill that is very useful in the long run.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get comfortable in the manual transmission car. Relax and get your bearings before you attempt to drive. Adjust your mirrors and buckle your seatbelt.

2. Find the three different pedals. Locate the clutch on the left side, next to the brake. On a stick shift car, the gas is still the pedal farthest to the right.

3. Take off the parking brake if it's engaged. When a manual transmission car is parked, the emergency brake is used. This prevents the car from rolling.

4. Hold the clutch in. On most stick shift cars, you need to depress the clutch before you start the car.

5. Put the car in neutral and then start the car. Release the clutch and then shift into gear. You are then ready to start driving the manual transmission car.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find alternative methods to start a stick shift vehicle. Some people push the clutch to the floor while in gear and then shift into neutral before starting.
• You must get used to the clutch if you are going to learn how to drive a manual transmission car. Take some time to practice using the clutch before attempting to start and drive the vehicle.