…kinda like this. vroom vroom
[sup]Okay, so that was a visual joke that doesn’t go so well on the net.[/sup]
The gearstick: This is the easiest of the new controls to learn. Know where the gears go, and notch it through a couple of times, and you’ve got it. In a traditional H-pattern shift, if you get flustered, and forget which gear you’re in, just put it in neutral (easy to find), and let go. It will spring back to a central position (between third and fourth in most cars). Then you’ll be able to find your gear.
The clutch: This is the “tricky” bit that everybody gives you horror stories about. It’s the thing that’ll have you kangaroo-hopping about the parking lot on your first lesson, making you want to just give up and go back to an automatic car. Don’t be put off. It’s tricky, and yet it’s not. The concept is simple, it just engages and releases the connection between the engine and the wheels. Get out there and learn it. A couple of hours of frustration, and then something in your brain will ‘click’, and you’ll have it mastered. You won’t be able to do it at all, and then suddenly you’ll be good at it -just like riding a bike. Don’t give up on it. And try not to choose an instructor who will get upset if you stall his or her engine. You will a few times.
When you get good at clutchwork, you’ll find that you can it to control the speed of the car at low speeds (in first or reverse) on driveways, etc.
The hand brake (or parking or emergency brake -and yes, it’s sometimes foot-operated): I don’t like the term “emergency brake” because it’s more than that. It’s designed for daily use. Use it. When parking a car (either auto or manual), the primary anti-roll mechanism should be this brake. “Park” in an automatic, or 1st and reverse gears in a manual are only secondary measures, should the hand brake fail. Apply the hand brake and let it take the strain before you leave the car in gear.
Another word on hand brakes: I consider myself a good driver (don’t we all?), and as such I don’t like to let my car roll back a single inch when starting off on a hill. There’s no shame in using the hand brake, whatever the macho crowd says.
Upshifting: Steady and smooth does it. While you’re learning, it’s better to pull the clutch out too slowly than too quickly. Too slowly, and worst is the engine will “flare” a bit. Too fast and you’re stalled at the green light with Mr Smalldick behind you honking his SUV’s twin mega-airhorns.
Ask the owner of the car you’re using what speeds you should change up to each gear, and don’t feel silly if you have to watch the speedometer at first. Later, you’ll just subconsciously know when to change -possibly by hearing the engine note. I live in a metric part of the world, so if you were learning in my car, I’d tell you “2nd at 20kmh, 3rd at 40, 4th at 60, and 5th at 80”. It’s only a rough guide, as load and hills have an effect on it.
Downshifting: It’s recommended that you use your brakes alone to slow the car in normal driving conditions. I’d like to say I do this, but I must admit to downshifting sometimes for this purpose because it’s FUN. Also, I can blame my girlfriend when the clutch wears out.
The accelerator: Generally speaking, *off * the gas when you’re shifting. Left foot down, right foot up, change gear, then left foot up, right foot down. This can be surprisingly difficult to get use to at first.
The car: It’s better, IMHO, to learn manual driving in a bigger car. The larger, more powerful engines are more forgiving if you find yourself in the wrong gear. Diesels are better still. Small cars can often demand precise and frequent shifting, though that might be an argument for learning in one.
Go out there, practice, and have fun. Driving a “real” car is fun. And it ain’t that hard. Shit, I can do it.
I learned how to drive a stick in an afternoon. After all, it’s something lots and lots of people know how to do, so how hard can it be? Now, a friend of mine learned how to drive in a car with a standard transmission! Can you imagine what a nightmare that would be?