How to Start a Manual Car

Driving a manual car is a bit more complicated than an automatic car. However, once you get used to it, it’s tempting to drive a manual transmission because you can have more control over the vehicle in terms of shifting and accelerating. Before you drive, you must learn how to start the car – so start with Step 1 below for more information.

Table of Contents

Start the car

Insert the key into the switch. Wait, turn the key – nothing will happen if you turn the key now! There are several steps you need to take before you can start your vehicle safely.

Differentiate clutch, brake and accelerator. For manual transmission cars, we have 3 pedals called: clutch, brake and accelerator. It is important that you have a firm grasp of which is which before driving. ^{[1] X Research Source}

The pedal located on the leftmost side is the clutch foot . It allows you to separate the engine from the wheel while changing gears. You will use your left foot to operate this pedal.
The middle pedal is the brake pedal and the rightmost pedal is the accelerator . You will use your right foot to operate these 2 pedals.
Remember that the order of the pedals will remain the same, regardless of whether the driver’s seat is on the left or right side of the vehicle. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Make sure the vehicle is in mo (N). Before starting the vehicle, you need to make sure the vehicle is in N. The vehicle is in mo when:

The gear lever is in position N. You will know if the car is in mo when the gear lever feels loose and can be rocked back and forth easily. If the car is not in mo, then press the clutch pedal all the way down and move the gear lever to position N (center).
The clutch foot is pressed all the way down . If you like, you can put the car in mo by pressing the clutch pedal all the way down.

Start booting. When the car is in the first gear, you can turn the key to the starting position. You just need to remember:

If you put the car in mo by moving the shift lever to position N, you can turn the ignition key without pressing the clutch pedal.
However, if you put the car in gear by pressing the clutch pedal (while the gear lever is still in gear), you will have to press the clutch pedal while turning the key. Otherwise, the vehicle will lean forward.

Start driving

Press the clutch pedal all the way down. Once the engine is running, you have to shift gears in order for the car to start moving. ^{[3] X Research Source} (Unless the vehicle is in gear, in which case you can skip step 3). To change gears, press the clutch pedal all the way down.

Move the gear lever into 1st gear. While the clutch continues to press, move the shift lever into 1st gear. The way to get into 1st gear is usually to move the gear lever to the left and then up – the number 1 is clearly marked in the corner. left gear lever.

Slowly release the clutch. Take it slow, starting to lift your foot off the clutch pedal. Keep lifting your legs until the engine revs start to drop and the car starts to move slowly. This is called the “contact” point.

Start pressing the accelerator. After the vehicle begins to shift, you will now press the gas pedal but press it very lightly.

When the right foot begins to press on the gas pedal, the left foot will continue to release the clutch pedal simultaneously.
If you complete this move properly, the car will move forward and be in 1st gear.

Be careful not to turn off the machine. If you release the clutch too quickly, the car will suddenly shut down and you will have to start over. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Conversely, if you press the accelerator too hard before the clutch is fully released, the clutch will quickly be damaged.
Don’t worry though – the car will shut off at least a few times while you’re learning to drive a manual. You will have to practice to find the perfect balance between releasing the clutch and pressing the accelerator.

Shift to 2nd gear. When the car starts to move and the engine sounds like it’s stalling (usually around 2500-3000 RPM but it depends on the vehicle), you will have to shift into 2nd gear. Here’s how:

Take your foot off the gas pedal (if necessary) and use your left foot to press the clutch pedal all the way down.
Hold the gear lever and move to second gear – the number 2 is clearly marked on the gear lever.

Learn how to start the car on a slope

Understand starting a vehicle on a slope. You must follow a slightly different procedure to start a manual transmission if it is parked on a slope. The goal is to prevent the wheelchair from rolling backwards downhill. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Use the brake pedal. To start the vehicle on a slope with the brake pedal, you will use the left foot to press the clutch pedal and the right foot to press the brake pedal. Shift the vehicle, release the handbrake, then lift your foot off the clutch pedal until the vehicle begins to shift (the point of contact). Now you will release the brake pedal (maintaining the clutch at the point of contact will prevent the vehicle from rolling back down) and press the accelerator a little harder than usual. Continue with the other steps as usual.

Use the handbrake. To start the car on a slope with the handbrake, press the clutch pedal and set the vehicle gear. Slowly release the clutch until the vehicle begins to move, then release the handbrake. After releasing the handbrake, you will press the accelerator and operate as usual.

Advice

Remember to press the clutch pedal all the way down.
When starting the vehicle, remember to apply the handbrake to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Warning

Remember to press the brake pedal or apply the handbrake when starting the vehicle. The car can move when you press the clutch pedal or the car is in mo.
Always wear a seat belt when in a vehicle.
Don’t try to drive a manual if you don’t know how to drive. Ask someone else to guide you first.

Steps

Start the car

Start driving

Learn how to start the car on a slope

Advice

Warning

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