How to Skillfully Drive a Manual Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Here are three driving tips for manual transmission vehicles: Press the clutch and release the accelerator, with a potential issue being jerking. The cause of jerking is the incorrect sequence of pressing the clutch and releasing the accelerator. When driving in urban areas, keep the engine speed at or below around 2000 RPM. If you find the gear won't engage, first shift back to neutral, release the clutch briefly, and then try engaging again. Applying excessive force can damage the transmission. Master the timing of gear shifts. Shift gears when the engine speed is around 2000 RPM by first pressing the accelerator and then the clutch. This prevents the clutch from being forcibly disengaged during the shift.
When I first learned manual transmission, stalling was a common occurrence, mainly due to poor coordination between the clutch and throttle. The key lies in the starting phase: first press the clutch pedal all the way down, shift into first gear, slowly release the clutch to the semi-engagement point (when the car slightly trembles), then gently press the throttle to add some gas, and finally release the clutch completely—this will allow the car to move smoothly. When practicing, find an empty parking lot and repeat the starting process a hundred times; don’t get impatient. The same goes for shifting gears: when the speed reaches around 20 km/h, shift to second gear, and when downshifting, press the clutch and shift to a lower gear without hesitation. Hill starts are prone to rolling back, so it’s recommended to use the handbrake for assistance: first pull the handbrake, release the clutch to the semi-engagement point, add some gas, and then release the handbrake—master this trick, and you’ll be fine. In traffic jams, use first and second gears more often to control speed, and avoid prolonged semi-engagement, or the clutch plate will wear out quickly. After persisting for a few months, I now shift gears effortlessly during my commute and no longer fear slopes.
