Getting Started

• Before you start driving, make sure all the mirrors are in the right places. Learning how to drive stick will require as much of your attention as possible, so get any distractions out of the way. Make sure the seat is close enough to the driving pedals so that your left foot can touch the clutch and your right foot can handle the break and accelerator. Your right hand should be able to comfortably access the stick.
  
  

Clutch

• The clutch is what makes the difference between driving a standard and an automatic. You are playing the part of the transmission; automatics have a built-in transmission. Always start the car in first gear with your right foot on the break and your left on the clutch. Move the shifter into reverse if you need to with your feet still pressing down the pedals. Gradually move your right foot off the break and onto the gas pedal. As you push down on the gas pedal, lift your left foot off the clutch. Your vehicle should begin to move. The more you practice, the more familiar you will become at where the clutch needs to be in relation to the gas.
  
  

Gear

• You will need to become familiar with the sound of your engine, so you can decide when to switch gears. Depending on which gear you are in, you will want to switch at around 2,500 rams per minute (rpms). Switching from first to second, however, is usually done between 3,000 and 4,000. You can also use your speed as a guide. Switch from first to second at around 12 miles per hour; from second to third at 20 mph; from third to fourth at 28 mph; and from fourth to fifth at 38 mph.
  
  

Hills and Passing

• If you want to pass someone, you may want to switch to a lower gear. The higher the rpms, the more torque you will get out of your engine. When you are going down a hill, you can go up a gear as your speed increases. Be careful when going down a hill not to lower your gear too low, because that may dangerously increase your rpms and overheat your engine. When climbing a hill, switch the gear lower to provide more torque.