How to Drive a German Stick Shift

An Audi, which is available in a six-speed.

Driving a German stick shift vehicle is similar to driving any other stick shift. Some of the most popular German cars on the road--such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Porsche--are available with a manual transmission. Just like other manual transmission vehicles, learning to drive one will take time and practice, but after you have gotten the feel for the car, you can take it out on the open road.

Instructions

Stopped Start

1. Press the clutch with your left foot and start the ignition. German vehicles with a manual transmission will not start if the clutch is not depressed.

2. Release the emergency brake.

3. Press the clutch all the way down and put the car into first gear using your right hand.

4. Rev the car up to 2,000 RPMs by pressing the accelerator with your right foot. This is the proper amount of RPMs needed to move the vehicle forward on a flat surface. If you are on a hill, you may need to rev the engine to as many as 3,000 RPMs, depending on the incline.

5. Release the clutch slowly with your left foot while remaining on the accelerator. As the clutch is released, the clutch plates will engage, causing the vehicle to move forward.

Changing Gears

1. Stop accelerating the vehicle and press the clutch all the way down with your left foot.

2. Shift into the next gear using your right hand on the gear shifter. For example, if you are in first gear, pull the gear shifter down into second. If you are in second gear, push the shifter up into third gear.

3. Release the clutch smoothly and continue to accelerate the vehicle until you have to shift into the next gear. German cars have between four and six gears.

Tips & Warnings

• When driving, shift gears at around 4,000 RPMs for economical driving.

• Practice driving in an empty parking lot, away from obstacles, until you get more comfortable.

• Read the owners' manual for insight on the vehicle's transmission, including the number of gears the car has.

References

• 10w40: How to Drive a Manual Transmission
• Edmunds: Learning How to Drive a Stick Shift Car