How to Drive Stick Shift(automatic Transmission)

Modern vehicles are built with two types of transmissions,manual and automatic,there are certain foreign cars that are equiped with both transmission types in one car! it's easier to operate a vehicle equiped with an automatic transmission because a computer inside the vehicle shift the gears automatically for you,in a vehicle equiped with manual transmission it's more complexe because the gear shifting work is your job,it takes time and practice to efficiently operate a vehicle with manual transmission.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vehicle with manual transmission.

1. In a vehicle equipped with manual transmission you will encounter three pedals that activate three different controls.You have the clutch(located on left side) that allows you to shift gears,the brake pedal(in the middle) that allows you to slow down or stop the speed of the car,and finally the gas pedal (on your far right) that allows you to move the vehicle.

2. The first thing you have to do with a vehicle equiped with a manual transmission is to make sure that it's on neutral before attempting to start the ignition(you will know that the vehicle is on neutral by carefully moving it from left to right),in rare cases activate the emergency brake if you're on a up-hill so that the vehicle won't move backwards while you attempt to drive it.

3. When you have completed the task of putting the transmission in neutral,carefully turn the car on and press all the way on the clutch to be able to shift to the initial gear(the 1st gear).remember that for safety purposes your feet have to always be on the brake pedal also while you are in the shifting gear process.

4. The next step is to accelerate, this is the step that will require a few hours of practice. while the car is on and your foot on the clutch all the way, release the brake pedal (with right foot) and smoothly press on the gas pedal while slighly removing your foot off the clutch to allow the vehicle to operate on the initial gear,you will swith gears based on the RPM of your vehicle(around 2500 to 3000 rpm is when you usually have to shift gears).

5. To shift to the second,third,fourth,fifth(and even sixth on some cars),carefully press on the clutch while shifting the gear,remember to not put your foot on the brake pedal nor accelerate while switching gears,only press on gas pedal after you have shifted to the selected gear.

6. To come to a complete stop,shift gear to neutral and use right foot to press on brake pedal to reduce speed and come to a full stop.

Tips & Warnings

• You can decrease the speed of the vehicle by carefully shifting the gears to lower speeds(in increasing the speed you shift gears from the first,second,third,fourth,fifth gear so in decreasing the speed you would shift the gears from fifth,fourth,third,second,to the first gear and come to a full stop). you will need hourly practice to manage these skills.
• while attempting to operate the vehicle on first gear do not press on the gas pedal all the way while releasing your foot off the clutch!this will cause the vehicle to stall(shut off simultaneously).always check that the vehicle is on neutral before attempting to operate it and the e-brake on when you're on an uphill.Do not ride the clutch(keeping your foot on clutch)while operating the vehicle,this can damage your clutch in a short period of time and result in high repair fees!