Learn why people trust wikiHow

How to Drive Smoothly with a Manual

Transmission
Co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli
Updated: November 22, 2019
Explore this Article
Using the Clutch
Shifting Gears
Pressing the Accelerator
Show 1 more...
Questions & Answers
Related Articles
References
Article Summary

If you’re new to driving a manual transmission, or a stick shift as it’s commonly referred to, it
can seem scary. It can also feel uncomfortable as you learn to transition between gears and you
feel the vehicle shake and the RPMs run high. But driving a manual transmission smoothly is
actually really easy. You need to know how to properly use the clutch, when to shift gears, and
how to use the accelerator pedal correctly. After that, it takes lots of practice to make the gear
transitions feel smooth.
Method 1
Using the Clutch
1.

1
Keep your left foot resting on the clutch at all times. The clutch is the pedal all the way on the
left and is what allows you to transition between gears. Knowing how to use the clutch when you
change gears is key to driving smoothly when you’re operating a manual transmission. To make
sure you can engage the clutch whenever you need to, keep your left foot on it without applying
any pressure.[1]
  The pedal on the left is the clutch, the pedal in the center is the brake, and the
pedal on the right is the accelerator or gas pedal.
2.

2
Press the clutch to the floor to put the engine in neutral. The neutral gear refers to the stage
where no gear is engaged. The vehicle’s engine must be in neutral in order for you to transition
between the gears. Push the clutch pedal to the floor in a smooth and controlled fashion to put
the engine in the neutral gear.[2]
 Don’t stomp or slam on the clutch or you could damage the pedal.
 Be careful not to press the clutch to the floor after you try to move the gear shift
or you could stall the engine and cause the vehicle to jolt and shake.
3.

3
Release the clutch slowly when you use the gear shift to transition smoothly. The gear shift
is the stick in the center console of the vehicle that allows you to choose the gear you want to
transition to. When it comes time for you to change gears, press the clutch to the floor to put the
engine in the neutral gear, and slowly release the clutch as you switch the gear shift into another
gear.[3]
 Practice shifting gears in an empty parking lot or a quiet road so you can get used
to releasing the clutch and transitioning smoothly.
EXPERT TIP
IBRAHIM ONERLI
Driving Instructor
Our Expert Agrees: While the car is in motion, take your foot off the gas pedal, press the
clutch, and change your gear. Then, gradually release the clutch and apply the gas again.
4.

4
Let the clutch all the way up once the gear is engaged. After you’ve moved the gear shift to
the gear you wanted to transition to, fully disengage the clutch by releasing your left foot. Keep
your left foot gently pressed against the clutch so you can engage it when you need to change
gears again.[4]
 Don’t rest the full weight of your foot on the clutch or you could accidentally
engage it if you suddenly stop and the engine will be put in the neutral gear.
Method 2
Shifting Gears
1.

1
Press the clutch to the floor when you’re ready to change gears. When it comes time to shift
gears, use your left foot to engage the clutch by pushing the pedal to the floor. Push the pedal
down smoothly rather than stomping it. This will put the engine in neutral so you can transition
between gears.[5]
  Do not engage the clutch until you’re ready to change gears or you could cause
the car to lurch and make for an uncomfortable ride.
2.

2
Move the gear shift into the neutral position. The gear shift in the middle console has a center
position that allows you to put the engine in the neutral gear. You’ll know you’re in the neutral
position when you can wiggle the stick freely from side to side.[6]
 The clutch must be engaged in order for you to move the gear shift into neutral.
3.

3
Shift into the next gear when the RPM reaches 2500. RPM refers to revolutions per minute
and it’s a measurement of how fast your engine is operating. On your dash is a gauge that shows
the RPMs. When you’re driving and the RPMs reach the 2500 range, it’s time for you to shift
into the next higher gear. Shifting when it’s the right time will make the vehicle drive smoother.
[7]
Tip: Shifting at the correct time will also keep your engine running well and will make it last
longer.
4.

4
Release the clutch slowly and gently press on the accelerator. After you’ve moved the gear
shift into the gear that you want, slowly release your left foot from the clutch as you gently apply
pressure to the accelerator pedal. With practice, you will feel the engine change gears smoothly.
[8]
  Every engine is a little bit different. Practice changing gears to make the transition
smoother.
5.

5
Remove any pressure from the clutch once the gear is engaged. Once the engine has
transitioned to another gear and the accelerator is pressed, you can let up on the clutch. This will
fully engage the engine in the gear you’ve shifted to.[9]
 Keep your foot near the clutch in case you need to change gears again.
Method 3
Pressing the Accelerator
1.

1
Avoid removing your foot from the accelerator suddenly, if possible. The accelerator is what
controls the engine’s RPMs and the speed of the vehicle. If you suddenly release all of the
pressure from the pedal, the car will jolt forward and could cause the passengers to lurch forward
in their seats. [10]
Note: If you need to suddenly brake, you must release all of the pressure from the accelerator
pedal to press the brake with your right foot.
2.

2
Press on the accelerator gently to smoothly increase the vehicle’s speed. When the engine is
in gear, to increase your speed smoothly, continue to apply pressure with your right foot to the
accelerator pedal. Continue to press until the RPMs get to the 2500 range on your dashboard
display.[11]
  Don’t slam on the accelerator or the vehicle will launch forward and feel
uncomfortable to anyone inside of it.
3.

3
Release the accelerator gently when you want to change gears. Once the RPMs have reached
the 2500 range, it’s time to change gears. Slowly pull your right foot off of the accelerator so the
engine doesn’t continue to ramp up RPMs as you place it in neutral gear to transition. If the
RPMs are too high when you change gears, the engine will make a rattling sound and the vehicle
will shake.[12]
 Avoid releasing all of the pressure from the accelerator at once or the car will jolt
forward and will feel unpleasant to the passengers.
4.

4
Apply a small amount of pressure to the accelerator as you release the clutch. After you
shift the gear stick into a different gear, gently apply pressure with your right foot while you
release pressure with your left foot on the clutch. Finding the balance as the gear takes hold is
important to make the vehicle drive smoothly.[13]
Method 4
Operating Smoothly While Driving
1.

1
Slow down ahead of speed bumps and turns. To keep your vehicle moving smoothly, be sure
to slow down well ahead of any speed bumps, turns, or stoplights that you approach. Engage the
clutch to put the gear shift into the neutral position if you need to slow down to the point where
you need to put the engine in a lower gear.[14]
  Pay attention to road signs that will tell you when a speed bump or turn is coming
up.
2.

2
Keep the vehicle in 1st gear in slow-moving traffic. If you’re in traffic that’s traveling at
speeds up to about 10 miles (16 km) per hour, keep the engine in first gear so you can move
forward steadily. The vehicle won’t move forward if it’s in the neutral gear.[15]
 Shift the vehicle into second gear when the traffic gets up to about 15 miles
(24 km) per hour.
 Be sure to keep at least 1 car length in front of you in case you need to stop
suddenly.
3.

3
Put the gear shift in the neutral position when traffic stops or slows to a crawl. If you’re
moving too slow in 1st gear, the engine could stall. Engage the clutch, shift the gear shift into
neutral, and release the clutch to keep the engine in neutral. Let the vehicle roll and use your
breaks to slow it down or stop if you need to.[16]
Tip: Don’t keep the clutch held partway down. That’s called “riding the clutch” and can damage
and wear out your clutch.
4.

4
Downshift while using the breaks to slow down from a higher gear. Don’t put the engine into
the neutral gear then coast while using your breaks to slow down or you could cause the vehicle
 to jerk or the gears to grind. Instead, shift back down through the successive gears until you’re in
the gear that’s best suited to maintain the speed that traffic is moving in.[17]
 Don’t skip gears. For instance, don’t shift from 4th gear straight to 2nd or it can
cause the gears to grind and the vehicle to shake uncomfortably.
Community Q&A
 Question

Why does the engine shut off when I try to move slowly without applying pressure to the
gas pedal?
Community Answer

The car stalls if the RPM level is too far below idle. An easier way for beginners to get the car
moving in first gear is to slowly release the clutch pedal and, at the same time, apply a small
amount of pressure to your gas pedal.
Not Helpful 18Helpful 103

 Question

What gear do I use to climb a hill?

Community Answer

It depends on how steep the hill is and on your car. Very steep hills can require first gear with
almost redline RPM (very rare). Otherwise, second gear can handle the situation.
Not Helpful 13Helpful 65

 Question

If I am downshifting, do I do it numerically? Like 5th, then 4th, then 3rd, and so on. Or
can I go straight to 2nd gear from 5th?
Community Answer

It depends on your speed. If you're in 5th and have slowed down enough to go into 2nd, then you
can shift straight into 2nd.
Not Helpful 0Helpful 15

 Question

Why can't I shift while pressing the gas pedal?

Community Answer

You cant do this because when the clutch is in, the car is effectively in neutral and keeping the
gas in will increase your RPM. This will either increase the RPM of the engine and cause a jerky
shift and wear the clutch or, in worse scenarios, it will damage either your engine or
transmission.
 Not Helpful 6Helpful 36

 Question

Shifting into a lower gear and removing your foot off of the accelerator to slow your vehicle
is known as?
Community Answer

It's called engine braking. Downshifting isn't necessary in everyday driving unless the speed is
suitable and you can also use that gear to get going again.
Not Helpful 15Helpful 57

 Question

Can I run the car in first gear for some distance with the help of only the clutch by slowly
releasing it without giving gas? Or it is necessary to give gas, especially in a heavy traffic
area where the car is required to stop and run frequently?
Community Answer

Yes! You can let off the clutch slowly to make the car move forward in first gear.
Not Helpful 17Helpful 64

 Question

I drive a stick shift and I'm always scared that I'll stall when going uphill. How can I
overcome/avoid this?
Community Answer

Practice and challenge the hill. Put your gear into first when you get there after you have
stopped. While your right foot is on the brake and left foot is on the clutch, put your right foot on
the gas and press and release your left foot off the clutch. Keep doing this until you feel
confident. Then you can drive in the hills of San Francisco.
Not Helpful 9Helpful 44

 Question

Is it good if I shift too fast to a higher gear to reduce fuel consumption?

Community Answer

Yes, avoiding excessively high RPM reduces fuel consumption.

Not Helpful 16Helpful 60

 Question

Can I ride the clutch in traffic?

Community Answer
 You "can" if you really want to, but keep in mind that by doing so, you're reducing your clutch's
life span, along with the lifespans of your flywheel and bearings.
Not Helpful 0Helpful 7

 Question

When in 5th gear and coming to a stop, can I just go to neutral and fully stop? Also, if I
don't downshift before stopping and just go to neutral and then to 1st gear when taking off,
will I mess up the clutch?
Community Answer

Do as the article says, brake in gear. The reason for that is fuel efficiency. The engine runs on the
kinetic energy of the car and doesn't need extra fuel to keep running. Brake until you feel the
engine is about to stall, and then depress the clutch. Only shift into 1st if you're stopped or
moving at walking speed or less. Shifting into a low gear at high speeds can damage the
transmission.
Not Helpful 37Helpful 80
Show more answers
Ask a Question

Submit

Tips
 Practice driving a manual transmission in a clear area like an empty parking lot or a road
that isn’t frequently traveled so you can get used to it.

Related wikiHows

How to
Drive Manual

How to
Shift a Manual Transmission

How to
Get Started on a Hill when Driving a Manual Transmission Car

How to
Test Serpentine Belt Tension
How to
Drive a Stick Shift With a Broken Left Foot

How to
Double Clutch Downshift

How to
Upshift
 How to
Shift from 1st to 2nd Gear in a Standard Transmission Car

References
1. ↑https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
2. ↑https://jalopnik.com/how-to-drive-a-stick-shift-in-ten-easy-steps-5230172
3. ↑https://jalopnik.com/how-to-drive-a-stick-shift-in-ten-easy-steps-5230172
4. ↑https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
5. ↑https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
6. ↑https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/driving-stick.php
7. ↑https://axleaddict.com/safety/Easiest-Way-to-Learn-How-to-Drive-Manual
8. ↑https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/how-to-drive-stick/
9. ↑https://jalopnik.com/how-to-drive-a-stick-shift-in-ten-easy-steps-5230172
More References (8)
About This Article

Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor
This article was co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli. Ibrahim Onerli is the Partner and Manager of
Revolution Driving School, a New York City-based driving school with a mission to make the
world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over 8
driving instructors and specializes in defensive driving and stick shift driving.
35 votes - 95%
Co-authors: 71
Updated: November 22, 2019
Views: 1,952,732
Categories: Driving Vehicles | Driving Manual Vehicles
In other languages
Italiano:Guidare un'Auto con il Cambio Manuale 
Español:conducir bien un auto de transmisión manual 
Português:Dirigir Suavemente com uma Transmissão Manual 
Русский:добиться плавной езды на механике 
Deutsch:Ein Auto mit Schaltgetriebe sanft fahren 
Français:conduire en souplesse une voiture ayant une boîte de vitesses manuelle 
‫القيادة بسالسة مع ناقل الحركة اليدوي‬:‫العربية‬ 
Nederlands:Soepel rijden met een handgeschakelde versnellingsbak 
 한국어:수동 변속기로 부드럽게 운전하는 법 
Bahasa Indonesia:Mengendarai Mobil Manual dengan Mulus
 Print

 
 Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,952,732 times.