A manual transmission car consists of a clutch located to the left of the brake pedal and a gear shifter in the center of the vehicle (“Brain,” 2000). The main goal of a manual transmission car is to be able to change gears at will.

“To change the gears, there is a little pedal under the seat next to where the brake and the accelerator are located, known as the clutch. Every time you will want to shift the gear, you have to press the clutch and then move the gear stick in its groove” (“Kulkami,”2010). The tricky part of driving a manual transmission car is utilizing the gas, clutch, breaking, and shifting in order to prevent stalling and a bumpy, uncomfortable ride. It is best to find an open parking lot to practice this skill. With practice and patience driving a manual transmission can be second nature.

“Adjust your seat so that you find all the pedals perfectly accessible with either foot. Adjust the rearview mirrors so that you can see the cars behind you. Before starting the car, I would advise you to learn shifting the gears first. Different cars may have different shifting patterns, and hence, you wouldn’t want to find yourself searching for where the higher/lower gear is while you’re driving!” (“Kulkami”, 2010). Alright let’s get to driving. First thing is first; make sure the car is in neutral and push the clutch with left foot all the way in. “Make sure the gearshift is in neutral by wiggling it. It should wiggle side to side easily. Now turn the key and start the car” (“how to drive”, 2010). Read the rest of this entry »