Manual Transmission Driving Techniques

[Playdo]

I've only driven automatic transmission cars. I'm about to buy my first manual trans car. I'm new in the country and I don't want to call up anyone to drive the car out of the dealer for me.

Any tips for me on how to drive a manual? Technically, I know how to do it because I've played videogames The basics would be, press the clutch and then move the stick.

Since there is no "park" gear unlike the ones in automatic, how do you park the car? Do I put it in neutral and lift the rear brake? Or leave it in first geat and lift the rear brake?

Another tip someone gave me is to press the brake before starting the engine. Keep the brakes pressed while you switch from neutral to first.

I'll probably get the hang of it.

[benchph1]

Driving a Manual Transmission would change your orientation if your used in driving an A/T. since your "left foot & your right hand" would be put to work once again.

is it like when starting the engine, or coming from a standstill? in the former, there's no need. just make sure its in neutral & the parking brake is engaged. while on the latter, yup he's right..its a technique to prevent the car from "backing-up"

when running, don't rest ur foot on the clutch pedal coz this will cause premature wear on ur clutch disc

when parking the car just put it neutral and engage the parking brake. i don't recommend putting it in first gear , this a habit of some drivers but sometimes when they start the car they forget that the gear is in 1st, what happens is it jerks forward and they bump the car or the wall in front.

when shifting, press the clutch all the way down to prevent grinding the gears.

[ssaloon]

tryo to keep a light foot on the gas pedal since engine response is much quicker for a manual vs. automatic tranny.

when parking your car in an inclined position, you may place the stick shift on 1st gear as a precaution should your handbrake fail.

[mbt]

don't forget to dip the clutch when coming to a stop or else the engine will stall! using the parking brake may help immensely when you're stopped on an incline (a potentially extremely stressful experience).

good luck, there's really no other way to learn driving a manny tranny than going out and practicing and practicing.

[badkuk]

um, this might be overkill..but how about enrolling in a driving school refresher course?

[wreckless]

just follow the tips above and keep them in mind.

good luck!

[odell]

another thing.
dont switch ur aircon too cold.. sa sobrang nginig mamatayan ka sa clutch.hehe. la lang..

[kimpOy]

shift gears on 3000 rpm for gas fed vehicles
and 2500 on diesel fed vehicles

[ssaloon]

when starting the car, press the clutch all the way down before turning the key in the ignition. i think this is in the owner's manual.

[diced]

tama si ssaloon, i think its for a safety purpose, depress clutch before starting the car. para di siya mag jerk forward.

for hyundai elantras required siya, di mag start engine kung di depressed ang clutch.

[Playdo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still a bit confused. To break it down step by step:

1) put key in.
2) press the clutch
3) turn the key
4) press brake
5) shift from Neutral to 1st gear.

on step 3, do I need to keep the clutch down while I turn the key or do I let go of the clutch and then turn the key? If the car is parked in Neutral, I don't have to press the brake anymore while I start the car, is this correct? But I do have to press it as I shift from Neutral to 1st.

A refresher course sounds like a good idea but I don't feel like paying big money just to learn how to use the clutch. I mean, that could be another accessories I can put in my car.

[gambit5]

by experience, what I do is check the shift gear if it is in neutral and also if the handbrake is ON. if it is, then I turn the ignition key to crank the engine ( no press on clutch or brake pedal here )......

then I fully press the clutch, engage to first gear and slowly depress the clutch while in motion....

once tachometer starts reading 3K, I press again the clutch to increase the gear to 2nd.... and so on to increase speed....

the beauty of manual tranny is best observe when overtaking on a two-lane highway...... depending on ur current speed, usually the 3rd gear will do, stay on that gear till u see tachometer needle reach 5 K RPM before changing to 4rth gear.....am sure by that time, nakaover take ka na....

Also do not leave your car in a 1st gear or 2nd gear when parked, use instead the hand brake..... it might damage ur tranny if u forgot to disengage it when starting..... I read somewhere that the stopper for the tranny gear is just a small cylinder that is easily breakable....

[ssaloon]

me, i fully press the clutch while turning the key

[ghosthunter]

Best tip: enroll in a driving school for a short course on driving manual tranny cars.

[mbt]

yeah, you get the chance to trash their car with no liability hehehe :D

[orly_andico]

and it's only 3000 pesos ;)

[spazzkid]

theyre right. though u have said u had experience in driving matic tranny cars, on manual tranny its an entirely different thing when it comes to shifting/making the car run. like what the other guys said, enrolling in a driving school wud be ur best bet. do that first before buying ur new car.

[ghosthunter]

at least that way you prevent destroying your transmission when you crash the gears when having missed shifts.

[Karding]

Originally posted by ssaloon
when starting the car, press the clutch all the way down before turning the key in the ignition. i think this is in the owner's manual.

akala ko lahat ng car hindi mag start kung di mo depress ang clutch?! :confused: I've owned cars from 1989+ lahat sila depress clutch or car wont start. Ang alam ko, older cars, like way older cars, doesnt require to have the clutch depressed. [?]


If you are making a habit to leave your tranny in gear when parked, dont forget that you have it in gear when you start the car, or else....

as for me, I never made it a habit to put it in gear when parked. I only do it on downhill and uphill parking.

driving school would be a great investment

[redefine]

bakit kelangan naka tapak sa clutch kapag i-start ang manual tranny na auto, dba pwede nasa neutral lang?
or for safety measure lang ang pagtapak sa clutch before starting?