How to Drive a Stick Shift With a Broken Left Foot
As if driving a manual transmission vehicle isn't difficult enough to master, it becomes an even greater challenge when attempting to do so with a broken left foot. However, it's not a sequel to "Mission Impossible," provided you exercise caution and take your time. Practice these steps in an empty parking lot or on a deserted road before you drive a stick shift in traffic with a broken foot.
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Instructions
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Entering the Vehicle
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Move to the driver's side of the vehicle on your crutches and open the door. While balancing on the left crutch, place the right crutch on either the passenger side or the back seat of the vehicle.
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2
Lean on the remaining crutch and turn your backside toward the driver's seat. Carefully lower your body into the car, using your right leg for balance and support.
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3
Roll down the driver's side window about halfway and partially close the door. Bring the crutch into the vehicle close to the left side of your body. Feed the top, padded portion through the open window and place the bottom of the crutch just to the left of the vehicle's clutch. Carefully close the driver's side door and fasten your seat belt.
Starting and Driving the Vehicle
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4
Place the key in the ignition and be sure the emergency brake is active. With your left hand on the handle of the crutch, put the base of the crutch on the vehicle's clutch and press the clutch to the floor.
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5
Put your right foot on the brake and confirm that the vehicle is in neutral with your right hand. Turn the vehicle on. Keeping your right foot on the brake and the crutch on the vehicle's clutch, release the emergency brake with your right hand.
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6
Shift the vehicle into first gear with your right hand, keeping the crutch on the vehicle's clutch and your right foot on the brake. Once the vehicle is in first gear, place your right hand on the steering wheel.
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7
Move your right foot from the brake to the accelerator. Simultaneously rev the engine and slowly remove the crutch from the vehicle's clutch. Once the vehicle begins to move forward, release the clutch entirely and press the gas pedal further down. Repeat this process to shift the vehicle up into gears two through five, transitioning your right hand from the gear shift to the steering wheel quickly for optimal safety.
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8
Shift the gear down by removing your right foot from the accelerator, and pushing the vehicle's clutch to the floor with the crutch. Quickly down shift using your right hand and immediately return your hand to the steering wheel. Place your right foot back on the gas pedal, pressing the accelerator and releasing the clutch simultaneously until the vehicle catches the current gear.
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Stop the vehicle by removing your right foot from the accelerator, pushing the vehicle's clutch in with the crutch and placing your right foot on the brake. To park, shift the vehicle into neutral and activate the emergency brake. Then, remove the crutch from the vehicle's clutch, turn off the car and take your right foot off the brake.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't attempt to learn how to drive a stick shift with a broken left foot. It should be a skill mastered before you're injured or after.
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Comments
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viga
Oct 18, 2009
It would would be much easier and safer to simply drive without using the clutch at all. This is also a skill that should be practiced before it's absolutely needed, but has the advantage of being useful in instances other than the unlikely occurence of a broken left foot. An instance in which the clutch is damaged/broken, such as loosing the clutch master or slave cylinders, throughout bearing, or even a plain worn-out clutch is likely to happen to anyone, and being able to shift without the clutch not only can save a tow bill, it can prevent a potentially dangerous situation when the clutch becomes unavailable while driving. Starting is accomplished by putting the vehicle in gear and starting it when ready to go, parking on a hill facing downward, or push-starting the vehicle. Other than that...it's easy as pie with a little practice, and doesn't involve the complication of trying...
