Manual Transmission
 

I need help! This is the first year I've ever owned a car with a manual transmission.

Mind you, I learned how to drive using a stick and have driven other peoples cars so I know what I'm doing.

However, since I am no expert I'm confused and need the "Driving a Stick Shift Car for Dummies" book!

Question #1 -- If you're in first and just shifted to second because you're in an incline, but a moment later you see a stop sign, should you shift into third and then stop? Or should you be in second for just a moment longer than you normally would because a stop sign is just ahead?

Question #2 -- At a light. Flat surface. Start off in first obviously, and since there are no cars infront of you you see all the other cars around you passing by. Since I don't want to up shift too fast and be jerked around in my car, I do it slowly -- much to the chagrin of the people behind me. How can one excelerate on a flat surface quickly?? Should I have my foot on the gas AT THE SAME TIME as I am shifting?

I'm a moron I know.

Thanks to those experts who can help me!

Re: Manual Transmission
 

If your foot's on the clutch, giving it gas will only rem the engine. Depends on the car, some you can leave in second gear and accelerate as if you were in first, others have more difficulty and will make that grindling sound you hear when you're in a higher gear than you should be. I'm a little confused with the first question. Maybe someone else can help you out there.

Re: Manual Transmission
 

Question #1: I would probably stay in second gear.

Question #2: If you are being jerked then you are probably letting off the clutch too soon. Popping it in and releasing it quickly does this sometimes when you are in lower gears. Try letting out the clutch slowly as you are accelerating.

Re: Re: Manual Transmission
 

Pretty much what AOX81 said. As you get better at stick shifts you will start down shifting and what-not before stopping.

Don't worry about being jerky at first, you'll get the hang of it. If you want to get it alittle quicker. Go toa shopping center when its empty and just practice accelerating in first and shifting to second. It removes all the pressure.

I remember when I first got a car reverse irked me. So I just spent an evening driving backwards.

Another good place to practice is a high school parking lot on the weekends...my HS had a huge campus and my dad and I would drive round and round and stop at all the stop signs...

Another good place to practice is to find a big hill (we used one at a local school) and practice stopping and starting on it. My dad made me go up and down that hill 100 times before he let me loose in the car on my own! I can manage any hill now without rolling back!

Have you been practicing what we taught you? ;)

Please, explain. I don't know any manual drivers who can do this.

Thanks!

I can do it and so can my husband and brother-in-law. Before my husband or my brother-in-law were allowed to drive alone they had to pass the hill test with their dad in the car.

I don't think it can be explained very easily in words...

It's all about being comfortable in your car. Once you master the equilibrium of the clutch, you'll be able to move forward right as you're hitting that sweet spot.