How do you drive stick?

Posted on by Defensive Driving | in Defensive Driving Tips, Driving and Safety Tips

drive stick

Learning to drive a car with a manual transmission, or learning to drive stick, can be very difficult at first. There are several challenges to navigate including learning how to use three different pedals and knowing exactly how and when to shift to avoid stalling and other dangers. While nothing substitutes for experience on the road, we’ll go over some basic tips that will help you drive stick.

1. Practice the steps to learn to drive stick

In order to drive a car with a manual transmission, there are certain steps you need to follow. Practice these steps over and over until they become natural. Many say learning to drive stick is just like learning to ride a bike. It’s tough at first, but once you get it, you get it.

    1. Ensure the emergency brake is on and that you’re on even ground.
    2. Using your left foot, press the clutch pedal down all the way.
    3. Keep the gearshift in neutral. If you can move it around freely and it’s in the middle, you’re in neutral.
    4. Start the car
    5. Stick the car in first gear while keeping your left foot on the clutch.
    6. While holding the brake with your right foot, disengage the emergency brake
    7. Take a quick peek at all your mirrors to make sure the coast is clear
    8. Gradually lift your left foot from the clutch and simultaneously push down on the acceleration with your right foot. One of the hardest parts about driving stick is learning to let off the clutch while you push down on the accelerator.
    9. To shift gears, take your foot off the accelerator. Press on the clutch, shift, and then gradually release the clutch as you accelerate.
    10. Take your foot off the clutch. When you are in gear, you don’t need to have your foot on the clutch.
    11. To brake, you can push on the brake and the clutch or shift down. If you slow down to less than 10 mph, you can stick it in neutral.

2. Practice in an open space

Driving stick can be pretty complicated when you are learning, so don’t try to get out on the road before you know what you’re doing. Find a big empty parking lot if possible. Many churches have open lots during the week when they don’t have services. You might also be able to practice on a non-busy country road.

3. Drive when it’s less busy

While you’re learning, it’s smart to avoid rush hour. If you stall out in the middle of busy traffic, things could get dicey. Once you get a decent grasp on how to drive stick, you may want to gradually start practicing your skills in heavier traffic. At some point, you’ll need to know how to drive in it, so it can’t hurt to get a head start on it. Again, just be careful that you’ve got the basics down pretty well first.

4. Just keep practicing

Once you’ve practiced the steps, practice some more. Don’t get frustrated. A lot of learning will come by making some mistakes. If you stall in traffic, put your emergency flashers on and emergency brake and carefully start back up again. Enjoy the ride, even if it is a bumpy one at first.

Whether you’re just learning or have had years of experience, it’s always important to drive defensively. For help, visit defensive driving El Paso TX.

 

|

Customer Reviews

Defensivedriving.com has a ShopperApproved rating of 4.6 based on 134969 ratings and reviews.

Thomas Sowell None, united states
Good
Vanessa Barrera
Easy and managable
Galiguer Manjarrez united states
it was efficient
Sallie Elliott TEXAS, united states
So far easy site to navigate
Mario Navarro Gonzalez Texas, united states
Thanks
Jose Gonzalez None, united states
super easy to start and very upfront
Channing Quincy None, united states
Good
Faith Edwin iyoha None, united states
it was easy and fast
AMITAVA CHATTERJEE None, united states
Good
Payton Cummings None, united states
Quick and easy
Stephanie DeSandro None, united states
Easy to use and pay.
Marc Meza None, united states
Fast and easy
Syed Ahmed None, united states
Simple and easy
Michael Meadows None, united states
Good
Barbara Cespedes Texas, united states
Greato
Gary Flores TX, United States
Registration was easy. But I am unable to get video to work.
Stephen Vasquez None, united states
Good so far. Should have survey at end of course.
Robert Arriaga Texas, United states
Good
JAMIE THIBODAUX Texas, United States
Signing up was easy, I'm about to take my course now!
Angel Memije Monge None, united states
its okay
Conrad Denton None, united states
You guys are awesome!
timothy stout united states
It's good
Michael Borrego None, united states
So far so good. Hope it goes pretty quick.
Marlin Foster None, united states
great job
Jamia Benjamin Texas, united states
Good
Ediover Lacle Garland tx , united states
Excelente
Sidney Smith None, united states
SIgning up was easy
John Simpson None, united states
Easy to use.
Eric Talley None, united states
It seems very easy and straight forward
Jackson Herber None, united states
Simple
Catherine Kong None, united states
Easy
BRIANNA ALLEMAN TX, united states
Easy to use and follow along.
Rhonie Robin united states
Smooth
Ashley Burch Texas , united states
It's cheap and good
Guillermina Hernandez None, united states
excellent
Rachel Maxted None, united states
Great
See all reviews on shopperApproved.com
Why DefensiveDriving.com
  • 20 Years in Business
  • Over 2 Million Customers Served
  • Highest Possible Better Business Bureau Rating
  • Award Winning Course