- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
- Sythe Gold
- 13
- Messages
- 4,990
When the majority of people learn to drive, they learn on an automatic car. Sadly, that leaves quite a few people naive to the benefits of driving a manual transmission car. In this guide I'll explain the not only the benefits of purchasing a manual car, but also give you instructions on how to drive one.
First, manual cars are on average less expensive to drive. Buyers can save up to $1,300 by purchasing a manual car over an automatic. Not only that, the upkeep for a manual car is considerably less. If the transmission ever breaks, it's commonly because the clutch is in need of a replacement, a repair of around $1,200-$1,500. Now, let's compare that to an automatic transmission - $3,000! That's twice the price!
Second, manual cars could potentially be more fuel efficient. Technically, manual cars have about 5% better fuel efficiency than automatics, but this all depends on the driver. What's really the key is the driver's method of gear shifting; it's very possible to achieve higher than 5% fuel efficiency. So again, it all depends on the driver.
Third, a driver has more control over the car. In a manual, the driver has the advantage of being able to up/downshift on their own accord, thus giving the driver a faster shift response. This makes it easier to power-up those tough inclines, drive through treacherous weather, and just have an over-all better performing vehicle. Besides that, people who drive a manual car are less likely to be trying to multi-task while driving, as it is increasingly more difficult. Whether that's convenient for you or not, there's no denying it increases not only your safety, but the safety of those driving around you.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/131235/article.html
1. Just like driving a an automatic car, seating is vital in driving a manual. You have to make sure you can comfortably reach not only the gas and break pedals, but also the clutch. For those of you who don't know what the clutch is, it's the third pedal on the left.
2. To start the car, you basically do the exact same thing as an automatic, except for 1 key difference: Push the clutch firmly down when you turn the key.
Note - Whenever you change gears, you always follow this equation:
Release Gas -> Push down clutch -> Shift to the desired gear -> Release clutch while giving it gas
3. This next step is one of the hardest parts in learning to drive a manual car; getting going. Getting the car into first gear was, for me, the hardest part in learning. Here is what the gears look like for those of you who don't know -
Now, to get rolling you need to get the car into first gear. It's simple to write, difficult to perform. You basically follow the note I previously stated.
- Push firmly down on the clutch -> Push the gear-shifter into 1st -> Release clutch while slowly accelerating.
You'll learn when you're giving it too much gas, not enough, and how soon with experience. I can't give an exact explination, as it varies from car to car. If you're getting into the high RPM's, and the car is very loudly revving, you're doing something wrong. It should all be a fluent, smooth transition.
Note - You only use first gear when the car is at a stop, never while the car is moving. Stay in first gear up until about 10 mph; it varies per car.
4. Increasing speed. Once you've mastered getting it into 1st, this part is is a breeze! Simply continue to follow the first note: Release Gas -> Push down clutch -> Shift to the desired gear -> Release clutch while giving it gas
You shift gears when the RPMs starts to hit 5 or 6. Here's an example:
Once you've been driving a manual car for a while, you'll be able to hear when you need to change gears. It gets much easier the longer you drive!
5. Parking break. Parking breaks (PB's) are found in both manual and automatic cars. In automatic cars, they're rarely used when driving as you have the "park" gear. Here is where the parking break is located -
When driving a manual car, the parking break is your best friend. Manual cars don't have a "park" gear like automatic cars, therefor you have to use the PB whenever you park your car. This is also a necesecity when trying to perform an up-hill start. Seeing as this is a basic guide, I won't go into detail on that. Essentially it's a mixture of the clutch, gass, and PB all at once (The hardest part of using a manual car, seconded to learning how to get into 1st).
6. Stopping/Downshifting. When you're going into the low RPM's, you'll want to downshift. Follow the same method of changing gears I stated previously. When stopping, you can stay in your current gear down to about 5-15 mph, which at that point you'll put the car into neutral (when the you're not in any gear, the middle).
This is my very first guide, so all constructive criticism is welcome!
Benefits of a manual transmission car
First, manual cars are on average less expensive to drive. Buyers can save up to $1,300 by purchasing a manual car over an automatic. Not only that, the upkeep for a manual car is considerably less. If the transmission ever breaks, it's commonly because the clutch is in need of a replacement, a repair of around $1,200-$1,500. Now, let's compare that to an automatic transmission - $3,000! That's twice the price!
Second, manual cars could potentially be more fuel efficient. Technically, manual cars have about 5% better fuel efficiency than automatics, but this all depends on the driver. What's really the key is the driver's method of gear shifting; it's very possible to achieve higher than 5% fuel efficiency. So again, it all depends on the driver.
Third, a driver has more control over the car. In a manual, the driver has the advantage of being able to up/downshift on their own accord, thus giving the driver a faster shift response. This makes it easier to power-up those tough inclines, drive through treacherous weather, and just have an over-all better performing vehicle. Besides that, people who drive a manual car are less likely to be trying to multi-task while driving, as it is increasingly more difficult. Whether that's convenient for you or not, there's no denying it increases not only your safety, but the safety of those driving around you.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/131235/article.html
How to operate a manual car
1. Just like driving a an automatic car, seating is vital in driving a manual. You have to make sure you can comfortably reach not only the gas and break pedals, but also the clutch. For those of you who don't know what the clutch is, it's the third pedal on the left.
2. To start the car, you basically do the exact same thing as an automatic, except for 1 key difference: Push the clutch firmly down when you turn the key.
Note - Whenever you change gears, you always follow this equation:
Release Gas -> Push down clutch -> Shift to the desired gear -> Release clutch while giving it gas
3. This next step is one of the hardest parts in learning to drive a manual car; getting going. Getting the car into first gear was, for me, the hardest part in learning. Here is what the gears look like for those of you who don't know -
Now, to get rolling you need to get the car into first gear. It's simple to write, difficult to perform. You basically follow the note I previously stated.
- Push firmly down on the clutch -> Push the gear-shifter into 1st -> Release clutch while slowly accelerating.
You'll learn when you're giving it too much gas, not enough, and how soon with experience. I can't give an exact explination, as it varies from car to car. If you're getting into the high RPM's, and the car is very loudly revving, you're doing something wrong. It should all be a fluent, smooth transition.
Note - You only use first gear when the car is at a stop, never while the car is moving. Stay in first gear up until about 10 mph; it varies per car.
4. Increasing speed. Once you've mastered getting it into 1st, this part is is a breeze! Simply continue to follow the first note: Release Gas -> Push down clutch -> Shift to the desired gear -> Release clutch while giving it gas
You shift gears when the RPMs starts to hit 5 or 6. Here's an example:
Once you've been driving a manual car for a while, you'll be able to hear when you need to change gears. It gets much easier the longer you drive!
5. Parking break. Parking breaks (PB's) are found in both manual and automatic cars. In automatic cars, they're rarely used when driving as you have the "park" gear. Here is where the parking break is located -
When driving a manual car, the parking break is your best friend. Manual cars don't have a "park" gear like automatic cars, therefor you have to use the PB whenever you park your car. This is also a necesecity when trying to perform an up-hill start. Seeing as this is a basic guide, I won't go into detail on that. Essentially it's a mixture of the clutch, gass, and PB all at once (The hardest part of using a manual car, seconded to learning how to get into 1st).
6. Stopping/Downshifting. When you're going into the low RPM's, you'll want to downshift. Follow the same method of changing gears I stated previously. When stopping, you can stay in your current gear down to about 5-15 mph, which at that point you'll put the car into neutral (when the you're not in any gear, the middle).
Congratulations! You can now drive a manual car!
Source: http://standardshift.com/faq.html
This is my very first guide, so all constructive criticism is welcome!
I usually change gear at 2500RPM
