How to Stop at Traffic Lights While Driving a Manual Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Manual transmission car stopping method at traffic lights: First release the throttle and let the vehicle's weight drag to decelerate, then immediately downshift according to the speed, press the clutch, then brake, shift to neutral, and pull up the handbrake. When the light turns green, press the clutch fully with your left foot, step on the brake with your right foot, shift into first gear, gently apply throttle with your right foot, lift the clutch to the semi-engaged position with your left foot, give a little more throttle with your right foot, then slowly release the clutch with your left foot to start moving. Manual transmission gear indicators show 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, R, while automatic transmission gear indicators show P, R, N, D, S, L, M. Manual transmission cars require manual gear shifting for starting, accelerating or decelerating, while automatic transmission cars only need deeper throttle for higher speed and lighter throttle for lower speed, without manual shifting or frequent clutch operation with the left foot.
When driving a manual transmission and stopping at traffic lights, I usually operate like this: first decelerate to reduce the car's speed, typically to around 10-15 km/h, while simultaneously pressing the clutch to avoid stalling. Then continue braking until coming to a complete stop. At this point, shifting into neutral allows my left foot to rest, as holding the clutch down can be exhausting. If the wait is long after stopping, I engage the handbrake to prevent rolling, especially on uphill slopes. When the light turns green, I first press the clutch, shift back to first gear, lightly tap the accelerator, and gradually release the clutch for a smooth start, ensuring no inconvenience to vehicles behind. Driving in the city can be quite annoying, with daily traffic jams, but practicing this a few times will make it easier—the key is not to rush operations to avoid accidents. Additionally, the advantage of a manual transmission is lower fuel consumption, and with proficient parking skills, engine wear is reduced, making it somewhat more worry-free than an automatic transmission.
