How to Drive a Manual Transmission Car for Beginners?
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When learning to drive a manual transmission car as a beginner, you may often encounter some issues. Here is a detailed guide on how beginners can drive a manual transmission car: Before Starting: Since the car is equipped with a one-button start and hill start assist function. When starting, you can fully start the car in three steps. Press the button twice first, with an interval of a few seconds in between, to power up the car's electrical systems and allow the vehicle to perform a self-check. When pressing the button for the third time to start the engine, you need to press the clutch or brake (the start button will turn green), and then press the button again. At this point, the car is considered fully started. Starting the Vehicle: After the car is fully started, it's best to let it idle for about half a minute. Then, press the clutch, shift into first gear, and simultaneously press the foot brake with your right foot. Release the handbrake with your right hand, slowly lift the clutch until you feel the power being transmitted to the wheels, and then release the foot brake. At the same time, move your right foot to the accelerator and give it a little gas to start. For cars without hill start assist, the steps for starting on a slope are the same, except you need to lift the clutch higher to ensure a tighter connection between the clutch and the vehicle's transmission before releasing the foot brake. The amount of throttle needed depends on the steepness of the slope—the steeper the slope, the more throttle is required. While Driving: After the car starts moving (in first gear), when the speed reaches 15-20 km/h, shift into second gear. When the speed reaches 25-30 km/h, shift into third gear. At 35-40 km/h, shift into fourth gear, and when the speed exceeds 60 km/h, shift into fifth gear. During driving, whenever the speed reaches (or drops to) a certain range, adjust the gear accordingly. Note: When downshifting, don't release the clutch too quickly. While releasing the clutch, you should appropriately press the accelerator to match the engine speed with the gear before shifting, which helps prevent jerking. Slowing Down and Stopping: First, always press the brake, but you don't need to press it all the way (unless it's an emergency). Press the brake just enough to reduce the speed below a safe threshold (I generally consider 40 km/h safe), then press the clutch and shift into neutral. Apply the foot brake according to the actual situation. For normal stops, there's no need to press the brake all at once; just make sure to stop before the designated position.
Learning manual transmission is quite thrilling. I used to practice in open rural areas, and at first, it was all hands and feet in chaos. Before starting, adjust the seat and rearview mirrors, press the clutch pedal, shift to neutral, and ignite to ensure safety. To move, press the clutch pedal fully with the left foot, shift to first gear, gently tap the accelerator with the right foot, and slowly release the clutch until the car slightly vibrates. Hold steady and add a little throttle for a smooth start. It's easy to stall at first, but after several tries, I got the hang of it. Shift up based on speed, like shifting to second gear at 20km/h when the engine sound is steady. When downshifting, slow down and coordinate with the clutch. To stop, press the brake while pressing the clutch, shift to neutral, and pull the handbrake. The key is to practice clutch control more—find a spacious place and practice a dozen times until it feels natural. Don’t fear mistakes; it’s all part of the process. Remember safety and avoid crowded areas when practicing. Soon, you’ll enjoy the fun of driving.
Learning manual transmission starts with ensuring safety. Find an empty parking lot to begin. Fasten your seatbelt and adjust the seat for clear visibility. After getting in, press the clutch and shift into neutral before starting the engine to avoid accidents. When starting off, fully press the clutch pedal with your left foot, shift into first gear, lightly press the accelerator with your right foot, and slowly release the clutch until you feel the car vibrate. Then, steadily apply the throttle to get the car moving. Beginners often stall—don’t panic, just press the clutch and try again. Avoid excessive throttle to prevent engine damage. Shift gears based on speed—around 20 km/h for second gear—waiting for the engine to sound smooth. When stopping, always press the clutch first, then brake to slow down and prevent sudden jerks. Maintain a slow pace throughout the process, stay aware of your surroundings, and practice with an experienced companion a few times. With practice, safe driving will come naturally.
