How to Use a Stick Shift

While most passenger vehicles nowadays have automatic transmissions, manual transmissions are also available. When using a manual transmission, a driver needs to know how to manipulate the clutch and the stick shift. A proficient driver can make a manual transmission car perform better than a comparable one with automatic transmission. Additionally, on average, cars with manual transmissions tend to get more miles per gallon of gas. Knowing how to use a stick shift can be a very valuable skill.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Locate the clutch, the pedal on the far left (left of the brake pedal).

2. Locate the stick shift. This is located in the center of the car, where a regular gear shift is located in many automatic cars. Make sure the stick is in the neutral position, in the center.

3. Turn the car on, and press down on the clutch.

4. Put the car into first gear by moving the stick shift to the top left position. Press down on the gas lightly as you release the clutch. The car will start to move. If you don't get the timing right, the car will stall, so turn it off, put it back in neutral, and try again.

5. Shift into second gear when the engine RPMs spike above 2,000 to 3,000. To do this press down on the clutch and shift the lever straight down so it rests in the bottom left position.

6. Release the clutch as you lightly press down on the gas pedal.

7. Shift into third gear when your RPMs have again spiked past the 2,000 to 3,000 range, if you still need to accelerate. Press down on the clutch and move the lever to the top middle position by sliding the stick shift to the right and forward. Release the clutch as you lightly press down on the gas pedal.

8. Shift into fourth gear by pressing down on the clutch and pulling the lever straight down from third gear. Release the clutch once again as you lightly press on the gas pedal.

9. Shift into fifth gear (if your car has a fifth gear) by pressing down on the clutch and sliding the lever to the top right position.

10. Reverse your car by pressing down on the clutch and sliding the lever all the way to the right and down so that it rests in the bottom right corner.

11. Return the stick shift to first gear every time you stop the car, and start the whole process over again.