| Many people aspire to be able to drive a stick shift | | | | clutch about a third of the way to get the car to |
| car, although only a few carry through and learn how | | | | move. To move a little at a time, release the clutch a |
| to do it. This is a shame, because driving a stick shift | | | | little, and then press it again. If you would like to |
| car is easy and lots of fun. It is absolutely a skill that | | | | move in reverse, then place your car in reverse gear |
| everyone should have. Here are a few tips on how | | | | and follow the same steps. |
| to drive a stick shift car. | | | | When you make your way onto the street, the next |
| Each stick shift car has four key components: the | | | | step is actually putting your car in gear and driving. |
| clutch pedal, the gas pedal, the brake pedal, and the | | | | Like the previous paragraph, the first step is to press |
| shifter. To correctly drive a stick shift car, each of | | | | the clutch and put the car into first gear. Once you |
| these has to be used in harmony. The good news is | | | | have shifted into first gear, press the gas--again, |
| that if you know how to drive an automatic vehicle, | | | | 2000 rpm is usually good. Once you have given the |
| there are only a few additional steps to learn. | | | | car a little gas, then gradually ease off the clutch. |
| First, when getting into a stick shift car, it is | | | | When you do this, you will notice that the rpms will |
| commonplace to have the shifter placed into a gear | | | | start to drop and the car will begin to move forward. |
| when the engine is shut off. To start the car, place | | | | Once the rpms reach about 1000 or when you feel |
| your foot on the clutch all the way down, then turn | | | | the engine struggle, gently give the car more gas. |
| the ignition. Once the engine starts, while keeping | | | | Continue to do this until the clutch is fully released. |
| your foot on the clutch, place the shifter in neutral. | | | | Now you are in first gear and can drive around! |
| Once the shifter is in neutral, you can release the | | | | Once you are driving, changing gears is easy. When |
| clutch. At this point, keep your foot on the brake | | | | you reach a rpm that is high enough, simply depress |
| and release any handbrake. | | | | the clutch and shift the car into the next gear. Once |
| Once starting your car, the next step is pulling out | | | | you are in the next gear, release the clutch again. If |
| onto the street or other motorway where you | | | | you are slowing down, you should use a similar |
| intend to drive. If you are going to go straight, then | | | | process. You should depress the clutch, but this time |
| keep your foot on the brake, press the clutch, and | | | | you need to shift into a lower gear. If you ever |
| put your car into first gear. To get the car moving, | | | | come to a complete stop, you simply depress the |
| give the car a little gas--about 2000 rpm is usually | | | | clutch and shift the car into neutral. Now you're |
| good enough. Once you do this, slowly release the | | | | driving stick! Its that easy! |