How do you drive a stick shift?

If the car is in neutral you put your foot on the brake and then press in the clutch to start the car. Then you take your foot off the brake while the clutch is pressed in all the way and move the shifter into 1st. Do you then move the clutch back about half way and then press the gas pedal in a little bit and then let off the clutch and you take off?



I dont get it kinda. I heard that you let up off the clutch half way and while your letting up, you press the gas the same amount? I dont want to floor it! Are you supposed to let up on the clutch half way when you put it in first and then press the gas pedal down a little? I dont think you would press the gas pedal down half way with the clutch half way down and then let up off the clutch.



Also, when theres a stop sign ahead, do you throw it in neutral and slow down then come to a stop?



Also at a red light, lets say you are in 4th gear and you see the red light ahead. There are tons of cars behind you and you happen to throw it in neutral and all of a sudden the light changes to green. What do you do now? Do you shift it back up to 4th again? It seems to me that the car would mess up because if you shift it into 1st or 2nd gear going that high of speed it would blow the engine? Or do you not have to press the gas because its already going fast and you just press the clutch to 2nd then let off and press the cluch in again to 3rd without pressing the gas?



IM CONFUSED! I'm getting a manual V6 mustang soon. I know about the shifting patterns and stuff its just that the part where you use the clutch while pressing the gas.How do you drive a stick shift?I drive a stick shift with a smile on my face because I am in control.

Seriously, I will pass along this bit of advise.

Manual transmissions are not sequential gear boxes like the type in a motorcycle. One can be driving in 4th, see a red light ahead, step on the clutch, step on the brake, and as the car slows to a stop, shift directly from 4th to 1st, skipping 3rd and 2nd.

Driving a stick shift is about skill, and knowing your machine. It just takes more skill to drive a stick, which makes you a better driver. YOU must pay attention to your driving, which will keep you from getting in accidents.

Find an older adult that can teach you and EXPLAIN what they are doing as they drive and shift. Then you can get behind the wheel and apply what you have learned to really driving your mustang.

I wish all cars were equipped with manual transmissions. There would be less distracted drivers on the road today.

Hard to eat, drink, talk on a cell phone, check your e-mails on your Blackberry, or text on a cell phone when you need to shift every few seconds.How do you drive a stick shift?About the red light or stop sign, If you're in 4th gear you down shift into 3rd and then 2nd if you have to. It saves your breaks and allows you to easily take off again if the light turns green before you get to the intersection. You only use the clutch to shift gears and never put the clutch in half way, you'll burn it out.How do you drive a stick shift?Too hard to explain all that in words but you sort of have the right idea. When you get the car, go directly to some vacant ground and practice!

btw it's not a great idea to just coast up to lights in neutral. As you decrease your speed you should be coming down through the gears. Does your license cover you for a stick shift anyway?How do you drive a stick shift?ok what you need to do is use the clutch ok and also don't grind your gears ok now the gas and clutch you you press gently on the gas as you let up on the clutch ok How do you drive a stick shift?I dunno if you deserve the V6 mustang...How do you drive a stick shift?push in clutch and shift , then let clutch outHow do you drive a stick shift? Go www.expertvillage.com they will teach you, in one of there videosHow do you drive a stick shift? When you feel the car pull as your letting up on the clutch then start to give it gas. You can also watch your tach the rpm will start to drop as the clutch starts to engage. When that happens give it some more gas and let the clutch out the rest of the way.



When your pulling up to a light in forth it kinda depends on your speed if you still moving at a decent pace you should just downshift to 3rd.



When your down shifting if you bump the gas a little when in neutral right before you change gears down as in 4th to like 2nd. You'll bring the motor revs back to where they should be for that gear. This keeps the car from as you put it messing up.



For example If your on a two lane road and your wanting to pass someone quickly and say your in overdrive. You would downshift to 4th and get around alot quicker. but as your changing gears you have to bring the revs up to match the gear. This is not necessary everytime you downshift but you should learn how to do this correctly. You'll find driving a stick alot of fun especially in rear wheel drive once you learn to do it right.