Often the ability to drive a standard transmission car is often regarded as unnecessary, due to newer vehicles being predominantly automatic. The ability to drive a standard transmission car is very useful in many ways; it allows a person to operate a wider selection of vehicles, have higher gas mileage and sometimes have the awarding chance to teach another how to drive standard.
Learning how to drive a standard transmission, in a way, is similar to walking; after enough practice, no thought is required. In order to learn it is helpful to find a patient friend willing to teach, along with a big, flat, empty parking lot. Driving standard can be summed up in a few short steps. The first step is to become acquainted with the vehicle. Make sure you are able to fully engage the clutch, adjust seat as required. While in the driver seat, it is a good idea to become familiar with the shift pattern; which is usually inscribed on the factory shift knob.
The second step is preparing to move the vehicle. While the vehicle is off, it is recommended to shift into neutral, followed by the driver engaging the clutch, and finally starting the car. Engaging the clutch is required to start vehicles equipped with a standard transmission.
Finally, the third and final step is to actually move the vehicle. This is the hardest step in driving a standard transmission. Recalling from my personal experience, I remember stalling several times prior to a smooth and successful take off. What is required in this step is to simultaneously release the clutch, and increase throttle in one fluid like motion. For sequential gears the basic principle of shifting is the same. At approximately 3000rpms, engage clutch and let off the throttle simultaneously, shift into the next gear up, release clutch and apply throttle. Every vehicle is different, and has a different engagement point; which is where the clutch makes contact with the flywheel. When the driver is able to find this engagement... [continues]
Learning how to drive a standard transmission, in a way, is similar to walking; after enough practice, no thought is required. In order to learn it is helpful to find a patient friend willing to teach, along with a big, flat, empty parking lot. Driving standard can be summed up in a few short steps. The first step is to become acquainted with the vehicle. Make sure you are able to fully engage the clutch, adjust seat as required. While in the driver seat, it is a good idea to become familiar with the shift pattern; which is usually inscribed on the factory shift knob.
The second step is preparing to move the vehicle. While the vehicle is off, it is recommended to shift into neutral, followed by the driver engaging the clutch, and finally starting the car. Engaging the clutch is required to start vehicles equipped with a standard transmission.
Finally, the third and final step is to actually move the vehicle. This is the hardest step in driving a standard transmission. Recalling from my personal experience, I remember stalling several times prior to a smooth and successful take off. What is required in this step is to simultaneously release the clutch, and increase throttle in one fluid like motion. For sequential gears the basic principle of shifting is the same. At approximately 3000rpms, engage clutch and let off the throttle simultaneously, shift into the next gear up, release clutch and apply throttle. Every vehicle is different, and has a different engagement point; which is where the clutch makes contact with the flywheel. When the driver is able to find this engagement... [continues]
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(2008, 09). What Turns My Gears. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 09, 2008, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Turns-My-Gears-166550.html
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"What Turns My Gears." StudyMode.com. 09, 2008. Accessed 09, 2008. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Turns-My-Gears-166550.html.
