NYC Driving Lessons: Learning Stick Shift Basics

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The basics any stick shift beginner should familiarize themselves with.

Manual Transmissions Tips

1. To get started, find the friction on the clutch by releasing it until the car begin to react to you. Pause slightly and add gas when you find it. Release gradually and gracefully at that point to get the car rolling. The less time spent on the clutch and the less gas you give it at start up, the better it is for the car. For a beginner, don't worry about riding the clutch too much, its part of the learning process. Be wary of adding excess gas though.

2. Switch to the next gear when the engine is revving at 2500 RPM. This is a good indicator for a beginner. After more practice, you'll begin to grasp the feel of the car much better and you'll learn to react according to that.

3. To Switch gears. Remember to avoid being on both pedals (gas and clutch) at the same time. When it's time, come off the gas, clutch all the way down, next gear, off the clutch completely, back onto the gas. A lot of people like to give the car a little gas while coming off the clutch during gear change. This makes shift a little cleaner, but isn't a habit a beginner should try to adopt yet. Once you get better practice and more control over the throttle (gas), you'll naturally begin smoothing the cars performance on your own.

*The smoother you are on the clutch, the smoother the car will react.
*On a hill, to get the car moving, you need to find the friction point faster, NOT increase the gas.
*When starting, don't release the clutch prematurely. Wait until you're about walking speed or above.
*When coming to a full stop, clutch then apply the breaks. That's a better order to go about it for the beginning.
*Relax and have fun!!