How To
Getting Started
Sitting Postion
When you are seated in the car, make sure to sit close enough to be able to push the clutch all the way to the floor. The gear shift should be within reach as well.
The Shift Stick
Before driving you should familiarize yourself with the shift pattern of your car. The most common five-speed pattern is in an H pattern. 1st gear at the top most left and works to top to bottom and left to right. The reverse gear is at the bottom most right.
Starting the Car
To start the car, make sure to put the car in neutral then push the clutch all the way to the floor and start the car. Most cars have a lockout make you unable to start the car without fully pressing the clutch.
Start Driving
Get Moving
There are many methods to getting the car moving. Here is one way: This method is known as the no-gas method. Press the clutch fully down and shift into first gear, be sure that the parking brake is disengaged. Without using the gas pedal at all, you slowly and gently release the clutch. The point where you feel the clutch is getting a little friction and the car is beginning to move, this is known as the friction point. Be sure not to let the clutch out too quickly or your car will stall. Don't panic and just start over again.
Going Faster
From the friction point you can start to gently apply the gas pedal allowing you to go faster and release the clutch quicker until it is fully engaged. To shift gears you must fully press the clutch shift to the gear you want. Smoothly get on the gas as you release the clutch. Most car manuals have the recommended shift points. Generally for the best perfomance,shift when the rpms are within 1,000 before the red line. As for the best fuel economy, it is best to shift at 3000 rpms or 15 mph per gear.
Stopping
You can stay in your current gear to 5-15 mph. At this point put the car in neutraldo thisby depressing the clutch and shifting to neutral, and applying the brakes.
Downshifting
Downshifting is needed when you are either going down hill or when greater acceleration is needed. Downshifting is much like upshifting; get off the gas, depress the clutch, move to a lower gear and get back on the gas as you let off the clutch.