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CARS & OTHER VEHICLES » DRIVING VEHICLES Co-authored by:

Ibrahim Onerli
How to Drive Smoothly with a Manual Driving Instructor

Transmission Co-authors:
75
Updated:
January 30,
Views:
2,205,468
2024
Co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli Download Article
Last Updated: January 30, 2024 Fact Checked

If you’re new to driving a manual transmission, or a

METHODS 85% of readers found this article helpful.
1 Using the Clutch
stick shift as it’s commonly referred to, it can seem 161 votes - 85%
2 Shifting Gears
scary. It can also feel uncomfortable as you learn to 3 Pressing the Accelerator
Click a star to add your vote

transition between gears and you feel the vehicle + Show 1 more...

shake and the RPMs run high. But driving a manual OTHER SECTIONS
Trevor O.
transmission smoothly is actually really easy. You Questions & Answers
Aug 20, 2019
Related Articles
need to know how to properly use the clutch, when
References "The tips in this article were awesome for
to shift gears, and how to use the accelerator pedal teaching me how to coordinate the clutch
Article Summary
correctly. After that, it takes lots of practice to make and gas pedals. I learned how to..." more

the gear transitions feel smooth. More success stories Share yours!

A D V E RT I S E M E N T
A D V E RT I S E M E N T

Method
1 Using the Clutch Download Article

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 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.

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3
A D V E RT I S E M E N T
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.

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.
A D V E RT I S E M E N T

Method
2 Shifting Gears Download Article

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.[5] Push the pedal down smoothly rather than stomping it. This will put the engine in
neutral so you can transition between gears.[6]
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.

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A D V E RT I S E M E N T

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.[7]
The clutch must be engaged in order for you to move the gear shift into neutral.

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.[8]
Shifting at the correct time will also keep your engine running well and will make it
last longer.

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.[9]
Every engine is a little bit different. Practice changing gears to make the transition
smoother.

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A D V E RT I S E M E N T

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.[10]
Keep your foot near the clutch in case you need to change gears again.

Gain clarity on gear changes. "I was totally confused and clueless about how to
properly change gears in a stick-shift car. This article was so clear and simple; it
really opened my eyes to what I needed to do. Now, I actually understand the steps to shift
make smooth gear changes thanks to the straightforward explanations any beginner read
could follow. It was super helpful for this manual transmission newbie!" - Clive F. the g

Method
3 Pressing the Accelerator Download Article

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. [11]
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.

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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
How to
with your right foot to the accelerator pedal. Continue to press until the RPMs get to the Make a Floral Finding Old
2500 range on your dashboard display.[12] Bouquet for Any Facebook Posts:
Occasion Easy Search Tips
Don’t slam on the accelerator or the vehicle will launch forward and feel
uncomfortable to anyone inside of it.

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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.[13]
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 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.[14]

Method
4 Operating Smoothly While Driving Download Article

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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
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Flirt

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.[15]
Pay attention to road signs that will tell you when a speed bump or turn is coming
up. Are They My Twin How to
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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.[16]
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 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.[17]
Don’t keep the clutch held partway down. That’s called “riding the clutch” and can
damage and wear out your clutch.

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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
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is moving in.[18]
Experience Aesthetic
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.
A D V E RT I S E M E N T

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.
 Helpful 146 Not Helpful 35
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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.
Helpful 95 Not Helpful 22

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.
Helpful 63 Not Helpful 16

See more answers

Ask a Question

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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.

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References

1. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 18 November 2019.

2. ↑ https://jalopnik.com/how-to-drive-a-stick-shift-in-ten-easy-steps-5230172
3. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 18 November 2019.
4. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 18 November 2019.
5. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 18 November 2019.
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjPj4Yo6mh4
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsOcXG2v3EE
8. ↑ https://axleaddict.com/safety/Easiest-Way-to-Learn-How-to-Drive-Manual
9. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/how-to-drive-stick/

More References (9)

About This Article

 Co-authored by:
Ibrahim Onerli PRO
Driving Instructor QUIZZES EDIT EXPLORE LOG IN RANDOM

This article was co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli. Ibrahim Onerli is a Driving Instructor and the
Manager of Revolution Driving School in New York City. His mission is to make the world a
better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over eight driving
instructors. He specializes in teaching defensive driving and stick shift driving. This article has
been viewed 2,205,468 times.

Co-authors: 75
161 votes - 85% Updated: January 30, 2024
Views: 2,205,468

Categories: Featured Articles | Driving Vehicles | Driving Manual Vehicles

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